

5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce
BBC Radio 5 Live
Discussion, analysis and the latest news from big fight nights and the world of boxing, featuring special guests.New episodes every Monday, get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media and remember to share your ratings and reviews.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2020 • 1h 8min
Buatsi on training in lockdown, Olympic what-ifs, and the Yorkshireman who fought Ali
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)

Dec 16, 2019 • 52min
How long until Joshua fights Fury or Wilder?
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.

Jun 4, 2019 • 31min
Joshua beaten: The rumours, the fallout, and what comes next?
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.

Jun 2, 2019 • 58min
Joshua stunned in New York
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.

May 31, 2019 • 17min
Joshua v Ruiz: Final fight breakdown
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.

May 30, 2019 • 53min
Joshua vs Ruiz: AJ wants Fury next
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.

May 29, 2019 • 37min
Joshua vs Ruiz: Wilder's spanner in the works
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.

May 20, 2019 • 53min
Wilder produces an all-time knockout
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.

May 14, 2019 • 28min
BONUS POD: Groves on retirement, Froch and taking control
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.

May 13, 2019 • 44min
Billy Joe's back, Deontay's underrated and Josh Taylor: world champion?
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.


