Boxing News Podcast

WHO is the best pound-for-pound fighter, Sergey Kovalev or Gennady Golovkin? Matt Christie and John Dennen discuss this following the former’s thrilling light-heavyweight victory for Kovalev over Jean Pascal and ponder what is next for the two combatants.

We also look at the welterweight landscape following crucial wins for former champions Andre Berto and Shawn Porter while considering the merits of an overweight Chris Arreola in the heavyweight division.

All this and lots more in The Opening Bell.

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IT’S really happening. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao came face-to-face at the only press conference in the build up to their fight. The Boxing News team wonders what the scale of this event will be globally and whether we can glean any clues from their encounter as to how the fight itself will go down.

We wonder how Keith Thurman can get himself in the frame to challenge Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao and we react to the rest of the weekend’s action, which saw heart break for hometown heroes in world title fights as Paul Butler lost in Liverpool and Zou Shiming defeated in Macau.

We look forward to another big weekend of fights, with Andre Berto going into a high stakes clash with Josesito Lopez and we wonder how Jean Pascal with cope with “The Krusher” Sergey Kovalev in Canada.

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CARL FRAMPTON impressed on his national television debut and Matt Christie and John Dennen discuss the super-bantamweight’s progress, and future which hopefully involves Scott Quigg. Chris Eubank Jnr and Tyson Fury also notched victories over the weekend and we take a look at their places in their respective divisions.

We reveal details of an exclusive chat with Freddie Roach, there’s the usual look ahead to the weekend’s action – headed by Paul Butler, Keith Thurman, Adrien Broner and Tommy Coyle – and there’s the odd memory lapse and confession to listen out for.

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THE big fight is at hand. Finally, after years of wrangling, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao agree to fight. The Boxing News team reacts to the momentous news and consider what it means for the sport.

There's plenty more going on, we discuss Paul Smith and Martin Murray's performances overseas against Arthur Abraham and Gennady Golovkin and consider their futures.

We also look forward to the weekend's action in which Carl Frampton is on ITV defending his world title in Belfast and both Tyson Fury and Chris Eubank Jnr are in action at the O2.

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THIS weekend two British fighters challenge for world titles. In Monte Carlo, Martin Murray hopes to hit the jackpot against the fearsome Gennady Golovkin at middleweight, while in Germany Paul Smith is hoping for 168lb revenge over Arthur Abraham. Both are tough asks and we calculate how each fight can be won, break down the intangibles, and ponder how much money it’s worth laying on the upsets.

We look back on Brian Rose’s controversial loss to Carson Jones, and asks what’s next for the two men. And there’s two other boys to talk about. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

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IN the latest Opening Bell, we wonder how likely it is that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio will ever confirm they’re going to fight.

In more pressing - and hopefully interesting - news, we examine the re-emergence of Dillian Whyte and wonder where he fits into the British heavyweight scene, and we look ahead to two fascinating bouts – one at lightweight between Stephen Ormond and Terry Flanagan, and the other at light middleweight as Brian Rose collides with Carson Jones.

We also discuss Billy Joe Saunders’ decision to snub an IBF middleweight title while he waits for a shot at the WBO belt and the curious case of the Chris Eubanks.

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KEVIN MITCHELL has again secured a shot at the world lightweight title with an impressive beating of Daniel Estrada. Matt Christie and Nick Bond wonder whether the Londoner can succeed in a third attempt at world glory after two previous failures.

It’s almost the 25th anniversary of Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson and we look back on the magnitude of that fight, pick out the best and worst moments of Tyson’s career and evaluate his place in history. In turn, the emergence of Deontay Wilder is analysed alongside potential fights against Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko.

The subject of Carl Froch relinquishing his IBF super-middleweight title is also discussed in detail, as are the merits of Oscar De La Hoya’s career as the ‘Golden Boy’ turns 42.

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‘PRINCE’ Naseem Hamed is the guest on this week’s podcast. He reflects on his Hall of Fame career, from the first time he pulled on a pair of boxing gloves to the last, during an insightful chat with Matt Christie.

The British superstar discusses his relationship with Floyd Mayweather, beating Steve Robinson to become world champion aged just 21, and goes behind the scenes of his turbulent split with long-term trainer Brendan Ingle. He opens up about his loss to Marco Antonio Barrera, reveals his biggest regret, and speaks of his delight about his forthcoming induction into the Hall of Fame. All this and much more is covered in the 60-minute interview. Don’t miss it.

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THE possibility of Manny Pacquiao actually fighting Floyd Mayweather looms large on the horizon and the Boxing News team ponder what might happen if the mega-fight falls into place this year.

Boxing News veteran Nick Bond joins Matt Christie and John Dennen as they discuss the sport's dream fight. The team also look forward to the major heavyweight clash between WBC champion Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder that takes place in Las Vegas this weekend.

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ANOTHER year begins and the possibility of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fighting remains a hot topic. Matt Christie and John Dennen wonder if 2015 might be, at last, the year they get it on.

A fight that looks almost certain not to happen, at least not in the immediate future, is Carl Froch-James DeGale. Is Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr a viable alternative and what does Froch have left? Guillermo Rigondeaux’s career and latest escapades also make the cut as do the heavyweight scene with the impending Bermane Stiverne-Deontay Wilder showdown and Shannon Briggs’ desperate bid for a shot at Wladimir Klitschko.

Chris Eubank Jnr tackles Dmitry Chudinov next month and we wonder if the Brighton star will have embraced the lessons from his loss to Billy Joe Saunders.

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