5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce

Buncey joins Michael Watson as he walks a mile through the streets of London to raise money for charity. Back in 1991, during his fight with Chris Eubank, Watson was caught by a brutal uppercut and collapsed soon after the bout. He spent 40 days in a coma. Surrounded by friends and family as he made his way up The Mall, Buncey chats to Watson himself, as well as Chris Eubank, who reflects on that fateful night and shares his concerns about his son’s upcoming bout with Conor Benn. We also hear from Watson’s neurosurgeon, Peter Hamlyn, his lawyer, Michael Toohig, and the many supporters who turned out to walk alongside their friend.

Legendary promoter Bob Arum joins Buncey to reflect on his remarkable 70-year journey in boxing. From working with Muhammad Ali to guiding Tyson Fury, he shares some of his most treasured memories from a lifetime in the sport.

After suffering four losses in his last five bouts, what lies ahead for Joe Joyce? Barry Jones joins Buncey to debate that very question following his unanimous decision loss to Filip Hrgovic. We hear from both fighters, with Joyce making it clear he's not ready to retire just yet. Promoter Frank Warren also joins the pod, revealing he plans to have a serious conversation with Joyce about what comes next. Plus, we catch up with David Adeleye following his controversial win to claim the vacant British title, and Delicious Orie drops in after successfully navigating his first four-round fight as a professional.

After Mikaela Mayer successfully retained her WBO welterweight belt against Sandy Ryan in Las Vegas on Saturday, Buncey chats to all those involved in the fight at the Fontainebleau. He catches up with a very dejected Sandy Ryan, who is left pondering her future. As for Mayer, could a showdown with Lauren Price for all the belts be next for her?We also hear from Top Rank’s Todd duBoef and Matchroom’s Frank Smith, who run through the options now for both fighters. Plus, with Frank Warren’s Queensberry kicking off its new TV partnership this weekend, both Warren and Eddie Hearn tell us why having the UK’s two biggest promoters on the same platform is a game-changer for the sport.

Buncey is in Las Vegas for the highly anticipated rematch between Sandy Ryan and Mikaela Mayer, who claimed victory in their first bout via majority decision. That initial fight was clouded by controversy when Ryan had red paint thrown on her as she left her hotel en route to the arena. Buncey catches up with both fighters and Ryan's promoter, Frank Smith. He also sits down with Katie Taylor as she gears up for her trilogy bout against Amanda Serrano. Plus, ESPN's Crystina Poncher joins the pod to share her take on what promises to be a very close fight.

Andy Lee has become one of the most sought-after trainers in boxing. The former Olympian and world champion joins Buncey to reflect on his journey from the early days as a talented amateur to reaching the pinnacle of the sport, and now earning a reputation as one of the game’s top trainers. They trace his path from the storied Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, to training under the legendary Emmanuel Steward at Detroit’s iconic Kronk Gym, capturing a world title, and now guiding the careers of fighters like Joseph Parker, Ben Whittaker, and Paddy Donovan.

As the boxing world mourns the loss of Colin Hart and George Foreman, Buncey revisits a special episode of the pod he recorded last year, marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic Rumble in the Jungle. In it, he sat down with Colin to relive his vivid memories of that unforgettable night in Kinshasa, when he was ringside to witness Muhammad Ali knock out Foreman and reclaim the world heavyweight title.

As we pay tribute to George Foreman after his death at the age of 76, Mike Costello and Steve Bunce look back on the most famous fight of them all: Muhammad Ali v George Foreman, Zaire 1974 in the Rumble in the Jungle.Episode first released in 2019.

Darren Barker and Barry Jones join Buncey look back at the year in boxing. They highlight their moments from the last twelve months in 5 Live Boxing's 2024 awards show.

Buncey is joined by Darren Barker as fight week kicks off in Riyadh. They hear from Oleksandr Usyk as well as his manager Alex Krassyuk. Dave Allen, who fights on the undercard, is also on the pod and he talks about sparring both fighters.

Buncey travels to West London to visit one of the city's oldest boxing clubs. He’s joined by three generations of the club's legacy: world champion George Groves, legendary trainer Mick Delaney, and Lucas Rohrig, who will be making his professional debut this weekend. Together, they discuss the gym's rich history, the challenge of relocating after the Grenfell Tower fire, and how some of the UK’s top boxing talent began their careers at the iconic club.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn joins Buncey to look ahead to the domestic flyweight clash in Birmingham. He speaks to both Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai who both explain why they will get their arm raised at the end of the fight. And he also speaks to former world champion Darren Barker.

As Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai prepare to face each other this weekend, Buncey looks ahead to the fight with Barry Jones. They discuss the different paths the two fighters have taken to reach this point. We hear from both of them as well as promoter Eddie Hearn. And with the news that Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price are returning to the ring on December 14th (against different opponents), they are also on the pod.

Richie Woodhall joins Buncey to pick through the bones of a busy weekend. They get stuck into the main event in Dallas where Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson after the pair completed eight rounds in Dallas. They both agree they never want to see the former heavyweight world champion in a ring again. The highlight of the night was the fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, with Taylor winning a unanimous points decision. And we ask where it went wrong for Chris Billam-Smith as he lost to Gilberto Ramirez in Riyadh.

Buncey takes the pod to Edinburgh for an evening with former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor. Live at Hibs Football Club, Josh opens up about why he believes he's far from done with boxing and shares his ambitions of becoming a two-time world champion. We also hear from his wife and mother, and the audience has the chance to ask their questions.

Buncey travels to the south coast for an evening with WBO World Champion Chris Billam-Smith. Surrounded by his fans at AFC Bournemouth, they discuss his journey from delivering Chinese food to becoming a cruiserweight world champion. We also hear from his wife, Mia, who shares her experience of being ringside when he won his world title. Chris also answers questions from the audience, including a particularly embarrassing one from his friend and trainer, Shane McGuigan.

Buncey is joined on stage by Natasha Jonas and Callum Smith as the tour lands in Liverpool. They discuss the highs and lows of their career, how they both have more to achieve in the ring and take questions from the audience.

Stacey Copeland sits in for Buncey as Lauren Price becomes a world champion. She is joined by Barry Jones to reflect on an historic night of boxing in the Welsh capital. We hear from Lauren, as well as her promoter Ben Shalom and her partner Karriss Artingstall.

Veteran fight aficionado Steve Bunce is alongside Heavyweight Champion of the World Lennox Lewis to examine the early life and crimes of notorious Boxing promoter Don King.Listen to the full box set first on BBC Sounds.

Buncey takes the pod to Cromer for the third stop on its UK tour. He’s joined on stage by the Walsh brothers - Liam, Ryan and Michael. They take us back to the early days of sparring in their living room, fighting their dad for a few quid and what regrets they have from their respective careers.

Former world champions Barry Jones and Richie Woodhall join Steve Bunce as the 5 Live Boxing awards return. They are tasked with deciding the winners of six categories including “Fight of the year” and “British boxer of the year”.

Buncey travels to Brighton to sit down with former two-weight world champion Chris Eubank. In an emotional chat, they discuss how he is dealing with the recent deaths of both his son Sebastian and brother Simon, why he is so against his son Chris fighting Conor Benn and how he is still dealing with the pain of what happened to Michael Watson following their fight in 1991.If you, or someone you know, have been affected by bereavement you can get more information via the BBC Action Line - www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/.

Carl Frampton joins Steve at the public workout to look ahead to the mega-fight in Dublin this weekend. They are joined by the two fighters who were both very relaxed despite the size of the task on Saturday night. Carl and Katie reminisce about the days when they used to spar together, and Steve accidentally disrespects Chantelle!

Steve is back on the road this week as he spends the day at the Haringey Box Cup - Europe's largest amateur boxing event. Joined at Alexandra Palace by Olympian and former Box Cup champion Cheavon Clarke, they speak to many of the fighters, trainers and organisers to get a feel for what the event is all about.

Steve takes the pod to Nottingham ahead of the big showdown between Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan on Saturday night. He chats to both boxers, as well as promoter Eddie Hearn.

Amir Khan and Kell Brook, two names that have been put together for years. The former boxing world champions have taken on some of the biggest names in the sport but as yet, have managed to avoid each other. Finally brought together by new boxing promoter, Ben Shalom, they’ve agreed to fight at a catchweight of 149lbs, just above the welterweight limit. Eleanor Roper has been spending time in Bolton and Sheffield, going behind-the-scenes in both camps, ahead of the much anticipated Manchester bout. She hears from both fighters about the highs and lows of their careers and the two-decade long rivalry that will finally be settled on Saturday 19 February.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought to a standstill in their final contest back in 1975, in what has become along with 'The Rumble in the Jungle' one of the defining fights in the history of 'The Greatest'. One of the last surviving members of Ali's inner circle, his business manager and confidante Gene Kilroy, joins Mike Costello and Steve Bunce to remember the build up, the night, and the legacy left by Ali.

Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo produced a contest for the ages back in 2005, featuring one of the most dramatic comebacks ever seen.Joe Goossen was in Corrales' corner that night, and joins Mike and Steve to remember their game plan for the fight, the subtle tricks trainers and fighters can pull to gain an advantage, and the tragedy of Corrales' death two years later.

The night that "changed British boxing", according to Steve Bunce: Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank's torrid 9 rounds at the NEC in Birmingham in 1990. Former world super middleweight champion Richie Woodhall joins the podcast to remember the night, which heralded a boom period for boxing on terrestrial TV in the UK.

Legendary photographer Neil Leifer, who captured some of the most iconic images of Muhammad Ali in a career spanning half a century, joins Mike and Steve to tell the story behind some of his most famous work. Also, reaction to the confirmation of the date of boxing's return in the UK.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy ‘The Hitman’ Hearns met in April 1985 for two and a half of the most explosive rounds in boxing history. Former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who later trained in the famous Kronk gym with Hearns’ trainer Emmanuel Steward, watches along with Mike and Steve and remembers the legacy this fight left in Detroit.

Reliving the ten round classic between Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti and 'Irish' Micky Ward, in the company of former two weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi.Ward later became the subject of 2010 film 'The Fighter', and was played by Mark Wahlberg.

Former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield revisits the night he dismantled Mike Tyson in 11 rounds, as well as the infamous 'ear bite' in their second fight.

Former world super middleweight champion Carl Froch joins Mike and Steve to revisit the night in Las Vegas that came to define the career of Prince Naseem Hamed - a comprehensive defeat to the Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. 19-year-old Froch was in the stands as a paying fan. Was Naz overhyped or did outside factors contribute to defeat in his most significant fight?

Reliving the night in 2005 when Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu to win his first world title, in front of a packed M.E.N. Arena. Hatton reflects on his greatest night in the ring, how his career developed afterwards and why he has struggled with depression in retirement.

After Eddie Hearn revealed he's planning to put on fights in his back garden, are we a step closer to the return of professional boxing? Mike and Steve debate the logistical issues with trainer Adam Booth, as well as looking at the path Booth took becoming a world title-winning trainer.

Former heavyweight world champion David Haye joins Mike Costello and Steve Bunce to rewatch the night in 1988 when a 21-year-old Mike Tyson was at his most fearsome in the ring, destroying Michael Spinks in 91 seconds. They delve into the circumstances surrounding the fight including Donald Trump's involvement in putting it on, and debate Tyson's legacy among the greatest of all time.

In the first of a new mini-series, one of the greatest boxers of all time, Sugar Ray Leonard, relives his late stoppage of Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns in 1981. Leonard remembers how Angelo Dundee's corner work was the key to inspiring his late onslaught that ended the fight, and explains how the aftermath of this fight led to a dark period in his life when he abused alcohol and drugs. 'Greatest Fights' will focus on a brilliant or significant bout in boxing history. With a new episode every Thursday, Mike and Steve rewatch the fight with a boxer - either one who was directly involved in the fight or who was heavily influenced by it. Future episodes include Ricky Hatton and David Haye.

2016 Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi explains how he's staying in shape during the lockdown, and reveals his thoughts on news that the Tokyo Olympic are going to be delayed until 2021. Then, Mike and Steve discuss an interview from the archive with Richard Dunn, who fought Muhammad Ali in 1976.Mike's fight recommendation of the week: Marquez v Vasquez 2 (2007) Steve's book recommendation of the week: The Devil and Sonny Liston by Nick Tosches Homework: watch Liston v Clay (1964)

How long will boxing fans have to wait to see Anthony Joshua against the other two big names in the heavyweight division, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder? Mike and Steve break down the politics and the timings issues that could get in the way. Also, more reaction to Andy Ruiz's excuses for losing to Joshua, a preview of Daniel Dubois upcoming fight and an appreciation of the importance of amateur boxing clubs.

As the dust settles on Anthony Joshua's stunning upset defeat to Andy Ruiz jr., Mike and Steve debate the rumours around Joshua being knocked out in sparring, Joshua's father's apparently angry reaction in the ring after the fight, and what changes he needs to make to get back to the top of the sport.

Mike and Steve are ringside in New York's Madison Square Garden where Andy Ruiz Jr. produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of heavyweight boxing to take Anthony Joshua's IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles from him. Along with David Haye and Carl Frampton they analyse a US debut to forget for AJ, heap praise on underdog Ruiz, and ask what this result means for future fights in the division. Then, the boys take a trip to the diner after interviewing both Ruiz Jr. and Joshua in the changing rooms.

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz jr weigh in ahead of the heavyweight world title fight at Madison Square Garden. Mike and Steve analyse how they looked on the scales, and break down how they see the fight going. Paulie Malignaggi also pops by to give his prediction.

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. faced the media for the final time before their world heavyweight title fight this weekend at Madison Square Garden. Joshua says he is turning his attention to a fight with Tyson Fury, after Deontay Wilder announced his next fight would be a rematch against Luis Ortiz. Also, Mike and Steve talk to several of the undercard fighters including Katie Taylor and Callum Smith ahead of their world title fights, and Carl Frampton pops up to talk about sparring with Taylor, his training partner Tommy Coyle and where he goes next in his own career.

Deontay Wilder hijacked the fight week news cycle overnight in New York by announcing his next bout would not be against Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury, instead opting for a rematch with Luis Ortiz. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn reacts to the news and explains his frustration at being unable to even get a meeting with Wilder's representatives. Mike and Steve then speak to legendary Muhammad Ali biographer Thomas Hauser, who paints a worrying picture about the state of the heavyweight division and in boxing in general the longer we have to wait for a superfight.

Deontay Wilder once again proved his punching power by knocking out Dominic Breazeale in their WBC heavweight title contest. Mike and Steve ask where it ranks in the annals of great heavyweight knockouts and debate whether this changes their opinion of who would win between Wilder, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. They also address Wilder's controversial comments made before that fight about killing an opponent in the ring.Later, Josh Taylor joins the podcast after becoming a world champion at the weekend by beating Ivan Baranchyk in the World Boxing Super Series semi finals, plus reaction to 'The Monster' Naoya Inoue adding another knockout to his record and Billy Joe Saunders becoming a two weight world champion in Stevenage.

Former super middleweight world champion George Groves reflects on the end of his career, his two massive fights against Carl Froch, and how he tried to take control of his career.

Former super middleweight champion George Groves joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming fights this weekend, including Billy Joe Saunders v Shefat Isufi for the WBO super middleweight world title, Deontay Wilder's return to the ring against former Anthony Joshua opponent Dominic Breazeale, and his former training mate Josh Taylor's bid for a world title in the semi final of the World Boxing Super Series against Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow.

As Mike and Steve arrive in a chilly New York ahead of Terence Crawford v Amir Khan for the WBO weltweight title, is there anyone currently in the sport of boxing that can inspire the same universal excitement as Tiger Woods in his Masters victory? Also, an early look at why Crawford v Khan might not be the mismatch expected by some bookmakers, and a review of Anthony Crolla's lopsided four round defeat by Vasyl Lomachenko at the weekend.

With confirmation that Anthony Joshua will fight Jarrell Miller in the States not far away, Eddie Hearn joins the podcast to talk about a frustrating period for the WBA, IBF and WBO champion since beating Alexander Povetkin last September. Mike and Steve discuss the difference in how Joshua has conducted his career in comparison with Great Britain's previous Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist Audley Harrison. Then, Josh Warrington calls in to talk about his upcoming fight with Kid Galahad, the change in his status since beating Carl Frampton, and his hopes for the rest of the year.