5 Live Boxing with Costello & Bunce

As fight night approaches, Buncey catches up with former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi. They discuss what's at stake for both fighters and whether Jake Paul stands any chance against AJ. And Jake Paul's business partner Nakisa Bidarian and AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn are also on the pod.

With the press conference done and dusted, Buncey catches up with former world champion Carl Froch, who gives his take on the fight and explains why Anthony Joshua won't hold back. We also hear from both fighters.

Does Jake Paul deserve more respect for making the Anthony Joshua fight? Buncey is joined by Chris Billam-Smith to debate that and preview what sort of fight lies ahead. He also hears from AJ's new cutman Russ Anber and Caroline Dubois, who defends her world title on the undercard.

Is a two-time heavyweight world champion really fighting a YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami this weekend? Yes. And that's where Buncey is as fight week for Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua gets underway. To kick things off, he sits down with AJ's long-time promoter Eddie Hearn to explain how the fight came about and to reflect on the highs and lows of their 12-year working relationship.

Work or pleasure? Whatever the excuse, Buncey found his way to Monte Carlo for a dramatic night of boxing that saw Shabaz Masoud outpoint Peter McGrail to claim the European super-bantamweight title. Joined by Darren Barker, he looks back at that fight and the others on a dramatic night of boxing. We also hear from Conah Walker after his stunning 12th-round knockout of Pat McCormack, and from Johnny Fisher, who overcame an early knockdown to stop Ivan Balaz.

Did BBC TV's return to boxing live up to the hype? Former British middleweight champion Neville Brown joins Buncey to reflect on a dramatic night in Derby, where Jeamie TKV upset Frazer Clarke and Fran Hennessy won every round against Fabiana Bytyqi. We hear from both fighters, plus promoter Ben Shalom.

Boxing's back on prime-time BBC TV this Saturday, so Buncey's in Derby catching up with the fighters. He chats to Frazer Clarke about the pressure of a hometown fight and checks in with TKV, who's hoping to make a statement. Francesca Hennessy and her dad Mick drop in ahead of her opening the BBC Two show at eight. And promoter Ben Shalom tells us how you can feel the tension between the two heavies starting to bubble.

Is it time for Ben Whittaker to kick on? The Olympic silver medallist has signed with Matchroom Boxing and sits down with Buncey to reflect on the journey that's brought him here. We also hear from Richie Woodhall, who coached him in the build-up to the Olympics, as well as insights from his trainer Andy Lee and his promoter Eddie Hearn.

How deceptively good is David Benavidez? Sergio Mora joins Buncey to reflect on that after his win against Anthony Yarde. They discuss a possible fight of the year contender in Abdullah Mason against Sam Noakes, a surprisingly impressive points win for Devin Haney against Brian Norman Jr, and another statement victory for Bam Rodriguez.

Where does Bam Rodriguez sit on the current pound for pound list? And how the fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul made?Eddie Hearn sits down with Buncey to answer those questions, ahead of a night of world title fights in Riyad. They discuss Subriel Matias' failed doping test and where it leaves Dalton Smith. Plus, Eddie shares the story of a very expensive beard trim.There's commentary of David Benavidez against Anthony Yarde on 5 live and BBC Sounds from 2am on Sunday. Commentary of the undercard, including Sam Noakes against Abdullah Mason, from 11pm on Sports Extra.

Can Anthony Yarde do something special to win a world title at the third time of asking or is David Benavidez too mean? Buncey is joined by Sergio Mora to break down that fight and Saturday's stacked bill in Riyadh. He catches up with Anthony Yarde and two of the unbeaten prospects meeting for a world title on the undercard, Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason. We'll have live commentary of all four world title fights, starting at Saturday night at 11pm on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.Plus, there's Moses Itauma's reaction to the announcement that Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul next month.

Will there be a trilogy? Richie Woodhall joins Buncey to reflect on Conor Benn's points win over Chris Eubank Jr, They hear from both fighters and promoter Eddie Hearn.

Will it be repeat or revenge? Richie Woodhall joins Buncey to look at where the fight will be won and lost. We hear from both fighters, plus both of their trainers. And they discuss the news that Joseph Parker has failed a drugs test.

Is AJ going to fight Jake Paul? Is Conor Benn going to beat Chris Eubank Jr. They are just some of the subjects Buncey covers in his chat with Conor Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn. Plus, It's press conference day, so find out how Chris Eubank Sr stole the show.

Could a fight from the undercard steal the show on Saturday night? Shane McGuigan joins Buncey for an in-depth look at the four bouts. They hear from Adam Azim, Jack Catterall, Tommy Welch, Richard Riakporhe and Sam Gilley.

Will the boys see it differently second time around? Popcorn at the ready as Buncey and Barry Jones rewatch the first fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, which took place back in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Did they miss anything watching it ringside, and was the fight even better than they remember?

Repeat or revenge? Barry Jones joins Buncey as fight week begins for the long-awaited rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. They revisit the first fight, and ask what's changed this time around. Plus, they hear from both fighters and promoter Eddie Hearn.

Was Zach Parker robbed of victory against Joshua Buatsi? Barry Jones joins Buncey as the fallout from Manchester rolls on. We hear from Parker. And the debate over three-minute rounds for women is back after Chantelle Cameron vacates her WBC belt in protest over inequality in the sport. So what's the solution? And could Anthony Joshua be back into the ring before the end of the year?

Will Fabio Wardley's stunning stoppage of Joseph Parker set up a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk in 2026? Richie Woodhall joins Buncey to break down a dramatic night at the O2, where Wardley, behind on most scorecards, produced a sensational 10th-round finish. We hear from Wardley himself, plus his manager Dillian Whyte, trainer Ben Davison, and promoter Frank Warren.

Will Joseph Parker's experience and composure prove decisive, or will Fabio Wardley's raw power and knockout instinct prove too much? Buncey is in London ahead of Saturday's huge heavyweight clash at the O2, catching up with promoter Frank Warren, hearing from both camps, and getting the thoughts of Wardley himself as well as Parker's manager, Spencer Brown.You can hear commentary of the fight on 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 10pm Saturday night.

Ahead of his first promoted fight on the BBC, Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom joins Buncey for an in-depth conversation about the new partnership. He explains how the landmark deal with the BBC was reached, what it means for the sport to return to free-to-air television, and how he sees the next chapter for British boxing.

Did defeat in Sheffield make Dave Allen even more popular? Barry Jones joins Buncey to reflect on a memorable night where “The White Rhino” was beaten on points by Arslanbek Makhmudov. They hear from Allen in an emotional post-fight interview, while promoter Frank Smith insists this isn't the end for the Doncaster man.

How big a moment is it to see live boxing back on BBC television on a Saturday night? Buncey speaks to Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV ahead of their British heavyweight title fight in Derby on October 25th, live on BBC 2. He also gets insight from the BBC's Kal Sajad and asks former British heavyweight Clifton Mitchell what it really means to fight for the Lonsdale belt.

Is Dave Allen becoming one of Britain's most popular boxers? Ahead of his Sheffield headliner, the “White Rhino” joins Buncey to reflect on his rise through the ranks, finally getting an en-suite, and the prospect of a fight with Deontay Wilder. Plus, trainer Jamie Moore gives his insight on his fighter's journey.

Big-time boxing returns to the O2 in October. Former world champion Barry Jones joins Buncey to look ahead to the heavyweight clash between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley, with the winner in line to face undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk. But who is taking the bigger gamble? We hear from both fighters and promoter Frank Warren.

Will it be repeat or revenge? Buncey speaks to Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn ahead of their November rematch at the Tottenham Hostpsur Stadium. He also hears from their respective promoters, Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn. Plus, fresh from winning his first world title, Lewis Crocker pops over for a chat.

Will Ricky Hatton go down as one of Britain's most beloved fighters? Mark Chapman is joined by Stacey Copeland, Anthony Crolla, and Steve Bunce to answer that question and reminisce the extraordinary career he had both in and out of the ring. They are also joined by Frank Warren who managed and promoted Hatton during his rise through the sport.

Buncey is joined by the former BBC Boxing correspondent Mike Costello to look back on the life and career of Ricky Hatton who died at the age of 46. They share their memories of the man who will be remembered as one of the best from the UK.

Steve Crossman is joined by Steve Bunce and Richie Woodhall to react to the sad news about Ricky Hatton's death.Steve and Richie reflect on his life and career, his battles with his mental health, and on what he meant to everyone who knew him.As a former World Champion, Ricky Hatton will go down as one of the biggest icons in British boxing history.

Can Terence Crawford cope with the leap in size, and is Canelo Álvarez still at his peak? Those are just two of the questions Buncey and former world champion Barry Jones ponder ahead of this weekend's Vegas super-fight. You'll also hear from Amir Khan, who has shared the ring with both men, and promoter Frank Warren tells us who he thinks wins.

Will we see a different Lewis Crocker in the rematch? Or will Paddy Donovan pick up where he left off? Former world champion Darren Barker joins Buncey to look ahead to the fight at Windsor Park. Both Crocker and Donovan are on the pod, as well as promoter Eddie Hearn.

Can Molly McCann replicate her MMA success in the boxing ring? The Liverpudlian has swapped the cage for the ring, and this week she sits down with Buncey to discuss the decision, the challenges of the transition, and how she and her promoter, Eddie Hearn, have carefully mapped out the next 18 months, which begins this weekend in Belfast.

Following the death of British heavyweight legend Joe Bugner, Buncey speaks to those who knew him best. Robert Smith, General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, whose father Andy trained Bugner, shares his personal memories and explains why he ranks him just behind Lennox Lewis among Britain's all-time greats. Matchroom's Barry Hearn reflects on staging the famous Bruno-Bugner fight at White Hart Lane in 1987, while former British heavyweight champion Scott Welch recalls facing an ageing Bugner in the mid-90s. Plus, we hear a rare extract from Bugner's appearance on Desert Island Discs in 1973.

Is Hamzah Sheeraz on his way to becoming one of Britain's most decorated fighters? Fresh from his devastating fifth-round knockout of Edgar Berlanga in New York, Buncey sits down with the 26-year-old super middleweight to talk Canelo rumours, that unforgettable night at Flushing Meadows, and growing up idolising Amir Khan. Plus, discover how former Chelsea star Eden Hazard played a surprise role in Sheeraz's journey to the pros.

Are we one step closer to saying Moses Itauma is the future of heavyweight boxing? Barry Jones joins Buncey to look back at his devastating first round knockout of Dillian Whyte. They hear from Itauma, as well as his promoter Frank Warren.

Will Dillian Whyte's experience overcome the youthful speed and agility of Moses Itauma, or will the 20-year-old prodigy prove too sharp for the veteran? Just some of the questions Buncey poses to Queensberry's Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom and top trainer Andy Lee. Warren offers the inside track on his rising star, Hearn gives his take from a neutral corner, and Lee analyses where the fight will be won or lost, and also updates us on his fighters, including Joseph Parker, Ben Whittaker, Hamzah Sheeraz and Paddy Donovan.

Is Dillian Whyte being unfairly written off ahead of his fight with Moses Itauma? Buncey sits down with Whyte, who explains why he's in such good shape and why he took the fight. We also hear from Itauma, who is taking a very philosophical approach to the fight. Plus, Nick Ball, David Adeleye and Filip Hrgović are also on the pod.

Is Moses Itauma the future of the heavyweight division? Barry Jones joins Buncey to preview Saturday's stacked Riyadh card, featuring Itauma's clash with Dillian Whyte and a world title fight for Britain's sole male champion, Nick Ball, as he takes on Sam Goodman.

How does GB Boxing's Rob McCracken reflect on the disappointment of Paris 2024? A year on, Buncey sits down with the performance director to explore what went wrong and how preparations for LA 2028 are already in motion. He also hears from hopeful's Chantelle Reid and Odel Kamara, who will to compete at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September.

Did Daniel Dubois' defeat to Oleksandr Usyk have more to do with what happened before the fight than during it? Buncey and Barry Jones unpack the fallout from that dramatic night, including talk of a party at Dubois' house just hours before the bout. They explore what's next for both fighters and whether Joseph Parker deserves a shot, despite Turki Alalshikh pouring cold water on the idea. Plus, they pay tribute to former undisputed champion Josh Taylor, who announced his retirement last week.

Is Oleksandr Usyk one of the greatest boxers of all time? After witnessing another masterclass from the Ukrainian, Richie Woodhall joins Buncey to reflect on Usyk becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion with his stoppage of Daniel Dubois at Wembley. We hear from Usyk himself in the dressing room, his longtime cornerman Russ Anber, and get reaction from Dubois and his promoter Frank Warren.

Can Daniel Dubois do what no other fighter has done before him and beat Oleksandr Usyk? Richie Woodhall joins Buncey on the eve of the history-making fight to discuss that and where he thinks the fight will be won and lost. They are also joined by former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who shares his thoughts.