5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce

Ade Oladipo, Emily Eubank, and Liam Gough return to give their unfiltered takes on the fight game in another punchy episode of The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds!
The gang steps straight into 'The Clinch' to take on a heated debate rocking modern combat sports. Producer Jay hands over the envelope, starting a strict three-minute timer for the hosts to dissect a contentious statement: "Crossover events do more harm than good for boxing." Is gimmick matchmaking pulling eyes away from true fighters, or does it bring a much-needed new audience to the sport? The trio has just one round to clash and reach a final decision.
Next up, it’s back to 'The Blueprint' to build the next vital piece of their Frankenstein GOAT. With George Foreman lock-in for power, Chris Eubank Senior taking heart and resilience, and marketability already checked off, the hosts turn their attention to pure skill: BOXING TECHNIQUE. This section is all about the sweet science, masterful defence, and ring intelligence. Ade, Emily, and Liam each bring three legendary technicians to the table for elimination rounds, battling it out to select the single ultimate master of technique to add to their ultimate fighter.
Finally, the bell rings for 'The Final Round' as Ade steps forward with a spicy hot take on fighter welfare and weight cutting: "It is time to implement mandatory hydration testing or same-day weigh-ins." The panel weighs the extreme dangers of drastic weight cuts against the logistics of changing a system deeply ingrained in the sport.
Expertly argued, sharp, and brutally honest - don't miss out! Subscribe to The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds, leave your thoughts in the comments, and follow along as the Frankenstein GOAT takes shape!

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.

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!

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.

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.