Punch Perfect: 4. Are Crossover Fights Ruining The Sweet Science?

Punch Perfect: 4. Are Crossover Fights Ruining The Sweet Science?

Author: BBC Radio 5 Live August 12, 2026 Duration: 44:20

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: "It is time to implement mandatory hydration testing or same-day weigh-ins." 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: "Are Crossover events do more harm than good for boxing" 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!


Every Monday, Steve Bunce brings the noise and knowledge from the squared circle straight to your ears. This isn't just a rundown of results; it's a deep, often lively dive into the stories that define the fight game. On 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce, you'll hear immediate reaction from the biggest fight nights, analysis of what those results really mean for the sport, and conversations about the figures shaping boxing behind the scenes. As a production from BBC Radio 5 Live, the podcast leverages unparalleled access, regularly featuring special guests from the heart of the action-fighters, trainers, and insiders who provide authentic perspective. It’s where the headlines are dissected and the narratives between the bells are explored. Whether it's a breaking news story or a classic fight revisited, the discussion is always informed by Bunce's decades of experience and genuine passion. Tune in for a weekly dose that captures the raw excitement and complex debates of boxing culture, all delivered with the authority and quality you'd expect from the BBC. New episodes arrive weekly to keep you connected to every jab, hook, and headline.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce
Podcast Episodes
Itauma v Hrgovic: History Beckons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:18
Will Moses Itauma make history and become the second-youngest heavyweight to win a world title? Buncey sits down with the 21-year-old to find out whether making history means anything to him. We also hear from his oppone…
The Boxing Board Ep. 1 | Who Sits at the Top of the Heavyweight Tree? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
Who sits at the top of boxing’s heavyweight tree, not just today but across every era? Chairman Ade Oladipo is joined by boxing trainer and online sensation Frank Gilfeather, alongside rising heavyweight star Johnny Fish…
Fury v Joshua: What is going on? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:16
What on earth is going on with the proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua? Buncey sits down with BoxingScene’s Matt Christie to try to make sense of it all. Is Eddie Hearn right to ask for amendments to the…
Punch Perfect: 5. Would Ali Survive in Today's Era & The Iron Chins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
Ade Oladipo, Emily Eubank, and Liam Gough are back with another hard-hitting, no-holds-barred episode of The Punch Perfect Podcast on BBC Sounds!After a quick heads-up to mind young ears for a few explicit slips, the cre…
Pat Brown on Hedges, Hype and History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:01
Is the hype around Pat Brown real? If he beats John Hedges in September, he’ll become the quickest man ever to win the British cruiserweight title in terms of professional fights. Pat sits down with Buncey to discuss his…
Russ Anber: Boxing’s Mr Versatile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:48
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, man…
Punch Perfect: 3. Throwing in the Towel & The Money Makers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:19
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 o…
One of the Biggest Events in Women's Boxing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
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 prev…
South Asian Heritage Month Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:51
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…
Punch Perfect: 2. Fighting Age Limits & Heart of a Warrior [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
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 fall…