The Opening Bell; A boxing podcast

LESSONS IN POSITIVITY | JOE GALLAGHER

LESSONS IN POSITIVITY | JOE GALLAGHER Joe Gallagher, one of the heroes of 2025, tells The Opening Bell how he found the mental strength to beat cancer. There were times, he admits, when his pride was dented but not once did he allow fears about the worst case scenario to linger. ‘It was always f*** cancer, I will beat you,’ he tells us. From the long nights in hospital to the days he forced himself into the gym, Gallagher’s bravery alongside the sport that drove him prove to be the heroes of the tale. Essential listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2025 - A YEAR IN BOXING. (YEAR REVIEW)

https://www.patreon.com/c/TheOpeningBellPodcast/home 2025 has been some year in boxing. A strange, noisy, unforgettable year that demanded our attention whether we wanted to give it or not. There were great nights in packed stadiums where fighters shone and reminded us why we keep coming back. Skill, courage, timing, the simple beauty of it all when everything clicks. And then there were the moments that only boxing could serve up. Former unified heavyweight champions of the world flattening YouTubers, and just about everything in between. It’s been another year of mouth open, stand back in awe moments. Properly transfixed stuff. It’s also been a year full of head shaking, eyebrow raising episodes that make you wonder how long you can keep following this sport with a straight face. And yet, here we are. Because boxing does that. It pulls you close, pushes you away, and then drags you back in just when you think you’ve had enough. Join Alex Steedman as he looks back at a boxing year that won’t be forgotten, for all the right reasons, and a few of the wrong ones too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JOSHUA BREAKS JAKE | IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF JOSHUA-PAUL | TERENCE CRAWFORD | TROY WILLIAMSON

Boxing fans got what they wanted when Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul, breaking his jaw in two places. Or did they? That Paul lasted into the sixth round has only given the supposed imposter an even bigger platform to shout from. That he suffered a broken jaw is now his most treasured badge of honour. What did it all really say about both, though? Was Paul better than we expected? Was Joshua worse than we feared? And where does this leave boxing as 2026 approaches? Elsewhere, Troy Williamson continues his incredible comeback when he knocked out Callum Simpson in 10 rounds, Craig Richards turned back a spirited Dan Azeez, and Lawrence Okolie won again at heavyweight. Meanwhile, in America, Terence Crawford retired to leave fans debating his place in history. Merry Christmas you lovely lot. Thank you, so much, for your ongoing support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JOSHUA vs. PAUL - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? | DIEGO PACHECO | TERENCE CRAWFORD | MICHAEL CARBAJAL

JOSHUA vs. PAUL - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? | DIEGO PACHECO | TERENCE CRAWFORD | MICHAEL CARBAJAL Anthony Joshua is really going to fight Jake Paul, it seems. But what can we expect? A real fight? A gruesome mismatch? Or, dare we even think it, an upset of the ages? Before we get stuck into the most obscure of main courses we chew on the other talking points. Like… Terence Crawford vs. WBC; Jimmy’s Corner in crisis; The performances of Diego Pacheco and Joe Cordina; and, briefly, Fury vs. Joshua. And for our weekly dose of nostalgia we direct the DeLorean to 1992 and take in some vintage Michael Carbajal action. Stay lovely, eat healthy, keep fit, be nice, keep listening. Thanks to all of you. And if you’ve read this far, let us know via our socials or on the Patreon. Bonjour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

STATE OF THE GAME WITH ANDY CLARKE

This week we welcome Sky Sports lead commentator Andy Clarke to the pod for a peer in and around the current state of boxing across the world. Currently in Dubai for the IBA championships, Andy’s experiences in both amateur and professional boxing means he’s well placed to discuss the challenges facing the Sport today. Tune in and enjoy and once again thanks to those supporting the pod for less than a fiver a month via Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices