THE BOXING SHOW

WHAT a start to the year. Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are readying for a scrap, Callum Smith is coming off a 16-month layoff to challenge Artur Beterbiev and Tony Weeks is the centre of attention.

The heavyweight landscape has been fuel-injected by Saudi riches but what to make of Joshua taking on a fighter with a record that reads 0-1? Without question, Beterbiev’s 19-0 (19) stats are significantly more impressive. But is Smith catching him at the right time?

Meanwhile, there was a disturbing social media post from Weeks following an early stoppage in Las Vegas. And in the same city, 25 years ago, Mike Tyson tried to snap Frans Botha’s arm in half before taking aim at his head.

We also hear from Dave Harris of Ringside Charitable Trust, who reveals a major promoter has - at last - come forward to offer their support.

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2023 was another eventful year in boxing and this final episode brings together some of the big stories and interviews featured on the pod.  Anthony Joshua  was in reflective mood when discussing the final stage of his career, Victor Conte pulled no punches at all in challenging boxing's dopers and cheaters while Timothy Bradley gave a riveting insight into his punishing fight with Ruslan Provodnikov.

The boxing year started with Liam Smith stunning Chris Eubank Jnr, a result and performance upstaged only by the surprising efforts of Francis Ngannou against Tyson Fury later in the year.  Matt Christie's reaction to that is worth another listen. 

The year closed with the heavyweights taking centre stage on an extravagant bill in Saudi where Joe Parker got the career win he craved, Daniel Dubois earned the redemption he needed and Anthony Joshua produced the spectacular finish he most wanted. 

   

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ON a dramatic night in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua looked terrific while stopping Otto Wallin, Joseph Parker outhustled a listless Deontay Wilder and Daniel Dubois thumped Jarrell Miller into submission.

Joshua’s partnership with Ben Davison got off to a flying start but the matchup with Wilder - who barely landed a single blow - could now be gone forever. We closely examine the performance of Dubois, too.

There was another upset, crafted by Agit Kabayel alongside more predictable wins for Dmitry Bivol, Filip Hrgovic and Jai Opetaia.

Get stuck in!

Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas. Thanks, as always, for the support.

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NORMALLY, on December 21, the boxing world is blind drunk and counting down the days to Christmas. Not this year! No sir-eeee.

The Opening Bell towers is awash with activity, starting with the exquisite battle between Bam Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards, before we rock around the Christmas tree in anticipation of this weekend’s bumper card in Saudi Arabia. Atop which is genuine jeopardy for both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.  Will they both win?

Finally, we go back to 1963 and relive the moment when Emile Griffith really should have known better than to stand in the face of Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter.

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The final instalment of a four-part audio documentary about the unforgettable, career-defining rivalry between Carl Froch and George Groves. Both fighters, their trainers Rob McCracken and Paddy Fitzpatrick, and their promoter Eddie Hearn, revisit the way the eyes of the nation were on their iconic rematch at Wembley Stadium, the rematch itself, and exactly where its outcome left both fighters.

Interviews were conducted, and the script written, by Declan Warrington. Darren Rees produced, and Alex Steedman narrated.

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WHAT a week for Devin Haney, Chris Billam-Smith, Ricky Hatton and Jane Couch. One wowed San Francisco, another lit up Bournemouth while two are set for Canastota in 2024. 

We ponder what’s next for Haney following his punch perfect victory over Regis Prograis, review the performance of CBS and wonder what it takes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Looking ahead, there’s a flyweight showdown to savour this weekend when Sunny Edwards battles Bam Rodriguez in a genuine 50/50 - but who’s our money on?

It was a week when Amazon Prime confirmed their involvement in boxing in 2024 and a week that celebrated the 41st anniversary of one of the most violent and thrilling 15-rounders of them all - Bobby Chacon v Rafael ‘Bazooka’ Limon IV.

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The third instalment of a four-part audio documentary about the unforgettable, career-defining rivalry between Carl Froch and George Groves. Both fighters, their trainers Rob McCracken and Paddy Fitzpatrick, and their promoter Eddie Hearn, recount the aftermath to their thrilling first fight, Groves’ determination to force a rematch, and the changing dynamics of their rivalry during the build-up to the date at Wembley Stadium that captivated the UK.

Interviews were conducted, and the script written, by Declan Warrington. Darren Rees produced, and Alex Steedman narrated.

@alexsteedman
@decwarrington
@reesboxing89

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THE hero of the last week was unquestionably Jordan Gill, thanks to both his performance against Michael Conlan and his incredible post-fight address. But one of the biggest stories of the week, yet again, was the latest chapter of the Chris Eubank and Conor Benn, will-they-won’t-they saga.

Ryan Garcia was another in the news, for his actions before and during his comeback bout with Oscar Duarte. And Garcia’s former amateur rival Devin Haney is also up for discussion, ahead of his enticing showdown with Regis Prograis at super-lightweight. 

We also look ahead to Chris Billam-Smith’s maiden cruiserweight defence and, in a special This Week, where an organ is almost as memorable as any punches thrown, we go back to 1975 and battle between Danny Lopez and Ruben Olivares.

We haven’t had any reviews for a while - please leave one and we’ll read it out on next week’s show.

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The second instalment of a four-part documentary about the unforgettable, career-defining rivalry between Carl Froch and George Groves. Both fighters, their trainers Rob McCracken and Paddy Fitzpatrick, and their promoter Eddie Hearn, revisit the endlessly entertaining and divisive first fight that made their similarly iconic rematch so inevitable.

Interviews were conducted, and the script written, by Declan Warrington. Darren Rees produced, and Alex Steedman narrated.

@alexsteedman
@decwarrington
@reesboxing89

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David Benavidez turned in a career best performance last weekend, forcing Demetrius Andrade to retire. It left many fans calling for only one rival for Benavidez next, and that’s Canelo Alvarez.

Katie Taylor was in majestic form too as she gained revenge over Chantelle Cameron but should that first round ‘knockdown’ have been called?

There’s a rather indifferent reaction to news that Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr are planning to fight on February 3, whereas a busy weekend ahead is previewed.

And in This Week, we go back to some vintage form from Matthew Saad Muhammad in which he scored a highlight reel KO.

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