5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce

BBC Radio 5 Live
  • 4.8 (117)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 9h ago

    Punch Perfect: 4

    Join boxing broadcasters Emily Eubank, Ade Oladipo and Liam Gough as they take on the ultimate challenge: building the perfect boxer. In every episode, the trio dive into the biggest debates, hottest topics and most controversial questions in the sport before turning their attention to a different attribute of greatness, from devastating power and lightning-fast speed to ring IQ, durability and heart. Drawing on legends from across boxing history, they must decide who best embodies each trait and gradually assemble their own "Frankenstein GOAT" fighter, creating what they believe would be the greatest boxer the sport has ever seen.

    Punch Perfect: 4

  2. 2d ago

    Russ Anber: Boxing’s Mr Versatile

    Is there a more successful and more versatile man in boxing? For more than three decades, Russ Anber has been one of the sport's most respected and influential figures. A world-renowned trainer, cutman, hand wrapper, manager and proud member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he has worked in the corners of countless world champions and been at the heart of some of boxing's biggest nights. Away from the corner, Anber is also the founder of Rival Boxing Gear, the company behind what has become the most widely used boxing glove in the world. His innovation has changed the sport just as much outside the ring as inside it. In this special episode, Buncey sits down with Anber to reflect on an extraordinary career that has taken him from humble beginnings to the very top of boxing. They discuss the fighters who have shaped his journey, the pressure and precision required to be one of the sport's finest cutmen and hand wrappers.

  3. Aug 5

    Punch Perfect: 3. Throwing in the Towel & The Money Makers

    Ade Oladipo, Emily Eubank, and Liam Gough are back to put the boxing world to rights in another hard-hitting episode of The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds! After a brief warning to expect a few passionate slip-ups of explicit language, the team dives straight into 'The Clinch' to confront one of the most critical safety debates in the sport today. Guided by producer Jay's envelope, the hosts start a strict three-minute timer to dissect the statement: "Trainers need to throw in the towel more often." Do corner teams protect their fighters enough, or does the warrior mentality of the sport stand in the way of vital safety decisions? The hosts have just one round to debate and reach a final verdict. Then, it's time to return to 'The Blueprint' to draft the next critical component of their Frankenstein GOAT. With the legendary power of George Foreman and the unbreakable heart of Chris Eubank Senior already secured in the first two episodes, the crew turns their attention to a highly lucrative attribute: MARKETABILITY. This segment is all about the unique ability to sell out stadiums, deliver legendary trash-talk soundbites, and put absolute bums on seats. Each host pitches their top three ultimate self-promoters and crowd-pullers from boxing history. Through fierce debate and elimination rounds, they must collectively agree on the single most marketable fighter to add to their growing masterpiece. Finally, the bell rings for 'The Final Round' as Ade steps up to present his controversial hot take on the current state of champion politics: "Undisputed belt holders shouldn't lose all their belts after one loss." The crew goes back and forth on whether the undisputed status should have its own safety net or if losing it all is simply the brutal reality of the squared circle. Unfiltered, highly opinionated, and packed with expert insight - this is the conversation every fight fan needs to hear. Subscribe to The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds, leave your verdict in the comments, and don't miss a second of the build!

    Punch Perfect: 3. Throwing in the Towel & The Money Makers

  4. Aug 3

    One of the Biggest Events in Women's Boxing

    Is there a bigger fight in women's boxing than Mikaela Mayer v Chantelle Cameron? The pair top the MVP UK v USA card in Birmingham later this month, and former undisputed world champion Ellie Scotney joins Buncey to preview the huge night. She also reveals the rather extravagant gift Jake Paul has bought her. We also hear from Skye Nicolson after her move to the MVP stable and her addition to the Birmingham card. Caroline Dubois explains why she's swapped trainer Shane McGuigan for Manny Robles, while Mikaela Mayer, Chantelle Cameron and MVP co-founder Nikisa Bidarian all join the pod to look ahead to one of the biggest events in women's boxing this year.

  5. Jul 30

    South Asian Heritage Month Special

    To mark South Asian Heritage Month, Buncey is joined by former IBO world champion Jawaid Khaliq and the BBC's Kal Sajad to celebrate the South Asian community's contribution to British boxing. From the pioneers who broke down barriers to today's new generation of stars, they explore how British boxing has evolved and why South Asian representation in the sport is stronger than ever. The discussion looks back at trailblazers such as Amir Khan, who paved the way, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact they've had on the sport both inside and outside the ring. We also hear from two of Britain's biggest boxing names, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim, who reflect on their heritage, their journeys to the top, and the responsibility they feel as role models for the next generation. This podcast has been edited since publication.

  6. Jul 29

    Punch Perfect: 2. Fighting Age Limits & Heart of a Warrior

    Ade, Emily, and Liam are back for another episode of The Punch Perfect Podcast, on their relentless mission to build the ultimate boxing machine: the Frankenstein GOAT! To start things off, the trio checks in on the fallout from last week's decisions. With their personal fighting nicknames (The Black Prince, The Hatman, and Miss Eubank) fully established, they recap their first official consensus: crown-funding their monster fighter with the legendary power of George Foreman. The action officially begins when they step into 'The Clinch' to tackle a highly controversial topic delivered straight from producer Jay's envelope: "Governing bodies should refuse licences to fighters over the age of 40!" With a strict three-minute round on the clock, the panel debates the safety, legacy, and commercial appeal of over-40 legends, reflecting on iconic veteran runs from the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, and Shannon Briggs. Will the team reach a unanimous decision, or are we headed for a split decision on whether age is just a number in the ring? Then comes 'The Blueprint' to piece together the next crucial element of their Frankenstein GOAT. This week's attribute up for debate is the mental and spiritual core of any true champion: Heart, Resilience, and Warrior Spirit. But what does having a "warrior spirit" actually mean? Then, it’s time to dive headfirst into the dark side of the sport, debating whether the consequences for drug cheats in boxing are simply not harsh enough, or whether influencer boxing is ultimately good or bad for the game. It's honest, unfiltered, and deeply passionate boxing talk. Subscribe to The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds, leave your thoughts in the comments, and help us build the ultimate fighter!

    Punch Perfect: 2. Fighting Age Limits & Heart of a Warrior

  7. Jul 26

    Has Fury-Joshua Really Moved Any Closer?

    Does the Joshua-Fury fight still whet the appetite after watching both men in action this weekend? Barry Jones joins Buncey after they watched Anthony Joshua climb off the canvas twice before stopping Kristian Prenga in the second round. They discuss what AJ's performance means for a potential showdown with Fury, and we also hear from Joshua himself as Buncey catches up with him in the ring moments after the fight.

  8. Jul 25

    Fury Wins. Joshua Weighs In

    Tyson Fury has done his bit, now it's over to Anthony Joshua. Carl Frampton joins Buncey after Fury's win in Thailand, while AJ weighs in ahead of his fight with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia. They discuss Joshua's final face-off with his opponent, what they made of his demeanour, and whether the long-awaited showdown with Fury is now within touching distance. Plus, we hear from someone who was ringside in Pattaya for Fury's victory.

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4.8
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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.

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