5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce

George Groves joins Steve and Darren Fletcher to preview Saturday’s big fight. They hear from Anthony Joshua, Jermaine Franklin, and promoter Eddie Hearn. Plus there are appearances from Franklin’s promoter Dmitry Salita, former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew and current heavyweight Derek Chisora.

As fight night edges closer, Steve sits down with Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn. While eating prawn tempura, they chat AJ, Franklin and the latest regarding Conor Benn’s future.

Steve takes the pod to the press conference ahead of the big fight this weekend to learn more about AJ’s opponent. He speaks to Franklin himself, as well as his promoter Dmitri Salita and his trainer Jesse Addison. And Matchroom CEO Frank Smith tells Steve what’s involved in making a fight like this.

Richie Woodhall joins Steve to watch back Anthony Joshua's last fight when he lost on points to Oleksandr Usyk. They discuss what he did well, what he didn’t do so well and what learnings he can take into this weekend’s fight against Jermaine Franklin.

Frazer Clarke and Richie Woodhall join Steve as the build-up to Anthony Joshua's return to the ring this weekend begins. With both having spent years in the gym with him, they share their unique insight into the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion. We also hear from his promoter Eddie Hearn who’s been out to Dallas to his training camp. And we speak to Lawrence Okolie who defended his WBO cruiserweight belt in Manchester on Saturday night.

Steve is joined by Joe Gallagher and Anthony Crolla to look ahead to a big weekend of boxing. We hear from Lawrence Okolie as he defends his WBO Cruiserweight title against David Light on Saturday. And Lyndon Arthur, who fights on Friday shares his remarkable story into professional boxing with the help of his trainer Pat Barrett. Plus, Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom joins the pod to chat about his show this weekend in Manchester.

Joe Gallagher and Anthony Crolla join Steve to dissect the news that the proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is off. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren is on the show to explain why talks broke down. And ahead of his fight on April 1st, Anthony Joshua sits down with Steve to share his thoughts as he returns to the ring.

Steve’s in Dublin this week to speak to Katie Taylor ahead of her fight with undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion Chantelle Cameron. Taylor fights in the Irish capital for the first time in her professional career and hopes to become a two-weight undisputed World Champion. We also hear from Cameron and her trainer Jamie Moore, as well as promoter Eddie Hearn.

Barry Jones joins Steve to pick through a busy week of announcements and pending announcements in the boxing world. They discuss the latest developments as the Fury-Usyk fight looks close to being made for April 29th. After an injury forced Amanda Serrano to pull out of her rematch with Katie Taylor, they explain why Chantelle Cameron stepping in is a tougher fight for Katie. And Eddie Hearn joins the pod to discuss the latest regarding Conor Benn and when we can expect him next in the ring.

Steve takes the pod to Stockport this week to speak to Campbell Hatton and his uncle and trainer Matthew. Campbell chats about living in the shadow of his father Ricky, the pressure that brings, and the criticism he has had to deal with because of it. And as well as chatting about Campbell’s progression, Matthew tells us about growing up with Ricky as an older brother, sparring with him and his own experience of fighting a young Canelo Alvarez in Los Angeles.

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.