Though not yet formally announced, Ryan Garcia has signalled that a showdown with Conor Benn, at welterweight, will happen in Las Vegas on September 12. It seems certain to be one of the year’s biggest and most lucrative contests albeit a divisive one given their chequered pasts with drug-testing agencies.

It’s set to occur on the same day that Canelo Alvarez returns, in Saudi Arabia, to challenge for a super middleweight belt against Christian Mbilli. Does this mean that Turki Alalshikh is plotting another all-conquering weekend extravaganza?

Closer to home, in Doncaster, Dave Allen’s place in the heavyweight landscape was again revealed when he was pulled out in three rounds against Filip Hrgovic. The result was predictable, but again brings into focus the role of referees, trainers and doctors when it comes to stopping a fight.

In This Week we go back to 1990, a new decade in its infancy and two of the finest fighters of the time – Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whittaker and Azumah Nelson – making their cases to be recognised among the leaders of the sport.

The Opening Bell, the independent voice in boxing.

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