5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - 5 Live Boxing Awards 2025

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

Awards season has arrived, and it’s time for the 5 Live boxing team to hand out their prizes for 2025. Buncey is joined by Barry Jones and Darren Barker to decide who takes fighter of the year, what was the standout event, and whether they can agree on anything at all. Six categories to get through from a year that will go down as one of boxing’s best.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and distinguished guests, good evening. My name is Cody Momarts, aka Big Mo, and welcome to the 2025 BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing Awards. Coming to you from Central London. This evening is about celebrating and recognizing the men and women who have reached the pinnacle of their sport during the last 12 months. And what a year we've had? arguably one of the biggest in the history of the sport. So, without further ado, let's introduce our judges for this evening ceremony. First, the former IBF middleweight world champion, Mr. Darren Barker.

The former WBO Super Featherweight World Champion, Mr. Barry Jones. And your host for this evening is Mr. Steve Bunce. Take it away, gentlemen. Big Mo, thank you very much indeed. It's that time of year. I think this is the 17th edition we've done, or it could only be the fifth or the sixth. Barry Jones seems to have done most.

Then Darren Barkers, I think this is only Darren Barker's second. They are my guests, former world champions, the men from Desone, the men who play golf anywhere they go. They will find a golf course if they went to Canvey Island. They'd find 18 holes somewhere along that glorious coastline in Essex. Thankfully, unlike in previous years, the trend for people from DeZone to not wear socks is over.

We are now definitely in Sockland which makes me very happy. Now fellas, we are going to look at fight of the year, knockout of the year, all that type of stuff, all the usual stuff. But before we go anywhere, I've got to ask the two of you. It's quite a simple question.

Where was the best place you played golf this year? Darren, I'll start with you. See, we should answer this together, actually. I've got a real soft spot for Riyadh Golf Club. Yeah. Because, you know, that was our real beginning. I brought my cherry. Yeah.

And that was the start of our golfing romance together in Riyadh. It's a proper bromance huge. Everyone knows about it. Can you put some music on the back of this now? Honestly. Like, Nayo and Nui's Japanese TV followers, they're talking with love in their eyes. And they're talking away. And they just say, Barker, Jones.

Everyone's talking about this bromance, bro. Yeah. Yeah, so Riyadh Golf Club's good. Bahrain was good, wouldn't it? Bahrain was tough. We had the help of a... Bahrain was tough. Oh, it was a toughie, Steve.

A tough course. I mean, the job was easy, but I mean, the golf was difficult course, weren't it? But for me, we play... I think it's in the UK. I think barewood lakes, we did, with lakes. You know what? Without the best, he invited us along and we played... All the golfers out there would know.

I've got something that's just pinging in my head saying, move these two golfing lunatics. Okay, before we get into the categories, it's really simple. I'm going to ask the pair of you for a high and a low from the year. Now, I haven't asked you or prepared you, so I'm sorry about that. So, Darren, if you've got a high and a low go, if you've got one go. Doesn't have to be it. You can do low first, then you can, Darren can do it.

I'm going to sort of stay away from boxing, if I can. Certainly with a high. Absolutely. We was there. Me and Barry were there for boxing reasons. But we was in New York. There was two fights there, wasn't it? Hamza Shuraz, Shuraz, Edgar, Belang.

the night before Katie Taylor Exactly. We're talking about how good was this, Baza, when we got on the bikes and we were whizzing around? It was a really, yeah. Scared the life out of me.

We were like teenagers on these electric bikes. And we literally went from Harlem all the way to the very bottom of Manhattan. Or the other way, actually, went the other way. So we went down to the bottom of Manhattan and then back up to. So we went from where we were,

which was pretty much the start of Central Park. All the way down, all the way back up. We stopped at the Yemeni, coffee shop a well place to me that went right to me that wasn't a good that wasn't a good thing

yeah I'd never drink that again I mean lovely coffee by the way so this is a low but this is a high no that was a high that was a high that was a buzz fantastic but

I gotta say the low for me and was finding out that Joseph Parker may or may not have have something in his system yes that was so I don't want to say anything

that was stunning as well as love I hope it turns out to be false because he is the loveliest man on the planet, one of the few boxes who've made some money in fame, and has kept his personality

and stayed humble. And he's a lovely man, and I hope it's just something that's made a mistake. Because if you find out that he had taken some would be... Yeah, it'd be gutted, yeah. Because if he'd wait in six weeks, he comes... That would be a massive load for me, yeah. So, Darren, what about you? Is there a low?

Oh, I'm struggling into thinking of one at home. I've got one, and when I use it, right, you'll go, yeah, I'll tell it is. Galai, Yaffi. when he lost to that kid fought his heart out, got dropped in the 12th round, lost clearly. Not really against the odds,

the kid could fight. The kid Rodriguez, who then subsequently failed a test. The fight was declared in no contest. It looks like Galauer fight next year. That was a low for me because it was painful, ugly and horrible to watch

and he's such a lovely fellow. Mine are more on selfish reasons. I don't mind that. Like a car doesn't show up at 6 in the morning or something. Like we didn't go to Knight of Champions. Benevida Jod. I love to have been that. There was one where we did,

I don't even know if I can talk about the mystery of TV and what goes on, but there was one show I worked on where we did it off tube in Leeds and it was a Japan show. Japan's on my bucket list and I'm stuck in this sort of boxing. Nothing with Leeds, just to let people know.

No one with Leeds, but I would have loved to have gone Japan and I think of Japan. So all of my lows are for selfish reasons. And I quite like that about a fighter, whereas you're trying to be a little bit more generous with your Lozbell, you aren't? As I am. I mean, missing Bam on the other week was, I was getting.

And also, the fact that everyone now was talking about Bam Rodriguez, is it annoying a slightly? He's got the album. Yeah, I'm like, he's like, he's mine. Jealous, like, he belongs to me. I know everyone's like, thinks they're part of his journey, though, and they're not. So, yeah, that better missing. Apart from that, there's been more ups than dongs by a million miles.

So we've done socks, we've done Bam, we've done Yafi, we've done Darren being potentially very, very greedy about his stuff that happens that's put him off this year. We've done cycling around New York. Now, can we do some boxing? Mo, sort us out. The first category of the evening is for fight of the year. Here are the nominees.

Bivel versus Betterbeev 2. Buasi versus Smith. Ubank versus Ben 1. Noakes versus Mason. And finally, Canello versus Crawford. Right, so I'm going to start with you. I'll start with you, Darren. You don't have to pick one, but it would be good if you did.

I'm going to pick one. I'm going to pick one. By the way, great shouts. Fully enjoyed every single one of those. The two light, heavyweights. I mean, what a rematch that was between Bivar and Berturbiev. Ben, Newbank. I mean, incredible occasion.

The event was spectacular. Noakes Mason, that that was remarkable just from start to finish. And Canelo Cawford, you know, I like that one because I got that prediction right. But for me to stand out, for a couple of reasons, was Callum Smith and Boatze. And the reason I say that is, one, it was an epic fight. It was brilliant. And a special for me as well, because I did it as lead commentator with Barry. So it ticked a lot of boxes.

Yeah, it was in February. I can't believe it was this year. how long ago it was, yeah. Phenomenal. But it was just too... And we like the domestic fights, do you know, like the domestic dust-ups

where there's a lot on the line. Winner stays on. It was in Saudi, I should just add. It was a private. But we've loved domestic fights, yeah. But for me, that was a real standout. Well, I was with Boatian Smith,

but I think... And even it was below the level of all the other fights, because all the other fights were top tier world title fights, I almost went for Sam Nukes of Abdullah Mesa because it was brilliant. But for me,

it is Eubank and Penn. I mean, the whole atmosphere, everything around it, and the fight itself, the commitment they gave, and actually maybe the lack of their technical prowess made it a better fight, because it was all about guts and glory. And from wrong one to wrong 12,

they were just risking their lives with just swinging shots. It was fantastic to watch. So even though Calaver Smith's been in hard fights before, and I think Baratia, Barat's had a hard fight with Dan Aziz. It was a real struggle at 12 rounds at Wembley. But there was something about that fight where they'd been there before,

and even in Eubanks being in the distance, but he hadn't been in a fight like that. I tend to go with Barry. My theory was I'd go with one of those two, assuming one of you would go with Berturbiaven-Birr. You didn't. It's good to plan, but not to plan too strong. So who should I give it to?

I'm not sure who I'll give it to. I'm going to give it to Barry for, I'm going to give it to Barry for Ben. I'll say that. They're all great shouts, by the way. This was just, again, me being selfish and it being significant to me. Mo, listen, I know we're taking a little bit longer, but you'll be pleased to know, Mo,

we are taking no diversions at the moment. There are no diversion, so I can't tell stories about 50-pound notes and stuff like that. There's no stories allowed on this show. This is straight down the line. Big Mo, come on, next category. The second category of the evening is for Knockdown of the Year. Here are the nominees. Alan versus Fisher, too.

Usik versus Dubois, too. Shiraz versus Berlanga. Whitaker versus Gavazi. and finally Rodriguez versus Martinez Now this is interesting because one or two of these they're knockdowns

they're not knockouts so it's quite clever the way the way Paddy the producers The end upish so yeah So what's the category here Is it that you're against the odds Is it that it was a clean knockout

Is it that it was a perfectly set up knockout Was it that you were coming back From the edges of the very edges of defeat So I don't I mean that's why I think this is an interesting list. And also, Steve, and also, by the way,

what level of opposition we're up against? Absolutely, yeah. So say the Johnny, I'm not going to pick, the Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen, Dave Allen stop is Johnny Fisher. I mean, at the lower level, area level, you would argue, but the way he worked the body,

when two shots of the body, came up with a lovely hook to the head. He worked, I did like it. Just great technique all the way through. That was brilliant. And, you know, Ban Rodriguez, a little slip to the side,

put you through that straight shot over the top. By the way, Darren, is up close. he made Fernando Martinez suffer for the week of grief. No, he held him up. Just like Lennox Lewis did with Mike Tyson, he held him up to make him suffer. And then he just decided at the start of the 10th

or whatever it was to take him out with that shot. Because he could have thrown that shot in the 6th, and I think he might have done him in the 5th or the 6th or the 6th. That's a good one. And music shot, that looping long shot. It's a good shot. You bought a little step before he went down. But for me, none of them are on that list.

So mine is a Commonwealth title fight And you're all calling match And it's on the zone If you want to look back I think it was March The thing it was the 30th match Or something like that It was a top tier show

And it's Constantine Ursue Winning a Commonwealth title The Welterweight against Ethan James And he throws a perfect left hand Just a nice little straight left hand It's in Cleansabut He's up before he hits the floor Wow

It was a lovely shot Just everything about The technique The movement It's a title fight as well It was gives us some credence And it was just flawless technique And I think that for me

deserves it. It's really good, but if Darren chose an episode of EastEnders, he's going to win this category, I'm just going to let you know on that one, okay? You've gone off-piece and you've gone downhill. I picked the best shot with the best technique. You might have, but that's just not the way it works, but you should know.

This is your 15th appearance on this. Can I look at the list yet? No, you can't. Pete shoes when they're on the list. I'm going to off-piece as well. Darren, you're not to go off-piece. Right. I'm going to disagree with Barry.

I don't usually. But I'm right. I think. Go on. Jin Sasaki in Tokyo. Yeah, this was on the original list. It was not spark out by Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO world title.

If you haven't seen it, put this in Google, right? He jumps in with one of the most vicious left hooks I've ever seen in my life, Brian Norman Jr. And knocks him absolutely into next, well, 2026. And I think he was actually in a bit of trouble, wasn't he? Jin Sasaki, it was punishing.

If, however, you want me to go off the list because of the reasons you listed there and there's been some really good stoppages and good knockouts, etc. But I do think there's got to be jeopardy to a degree and there's got to be a magnitude, the reason behind. Being in a hostile environment is good one.

And I think when he was sick, stopped down to Dubois. It wasn't one where he was star-fished out on the floor and, you know, struggling to even move. But the way in which Usset despatched of Dubois when there was some people saying, or could he be too young, young, could he be hit too hard for Ucic? Is this one step too far?

He just rublished all of that and defended styles. Everyone thought Uzi was going to win. That's the truth. But not beat him up like he did. And not take him out like a day. And so quick, by the way. So none of you fancied Edgar Belanger and Hamper. of Shearrest.

What I like about that is the whole week of buildup and Belanga's attitude and it was quite hostile in there. It was a bit of a new York crowd outdoors at that Louis Armstrong stage. It was. And it's good,

but I do think that Dallon's done me on that one. I think that Norma Fis Sasaki was wicked. But it's not on the list though, so he's gone off-piece. Actually, I'll tell you the truth now, okay, and I'm looking at you, Barry, as I say this.

There was on the list, the Norman knockout, okay? And I'd tell you why it got taken off the list because Paddy put the list together and there was no Ben Rodriguez on it and I said straight away how can we have a show where we don't have Barry's personal

little boxing baby it's been set up for me to lose this yeah but you've run the round anyway you've come in from the side you've run the round it's a set up yeah but you've run the round I'd be like life set of you to lose to be honest but

you know what? It could be a non-contest this round let me say something though let me say something we have to do this job when take the emotion out I love Bam he's practically

to my family and he's in my will above my kids. It's going to be a restraining order you know that. He's in my will above my kids. He won't pass me he won't pass me in Phoenix and I went like Darren, he did, I was there. I was like in that Australia fight I was like oh ha. But and it was a great

knockout, the time and the distance, but he was beating the guy up. I picked, I picked Ursue because I want to try to be a little bit niche as well to be honest. That, that normal Sasaki fight. That that knock, that was brilliant. brutally a horrible to watch. You've got it sort of by default, really. Why?

Because it wasn't on the list, but it was on the list. You made it, Steve, you made it come off of the list. Bell, listen, Bell, Bell, I'm trying to help you. You have to understand, I'm trying to help it. I'm like a crooked judge in this fight here. I told you not to get him in. You said, Darren, I said, don't get Darren. I'm trying to help you.

I'm trying to help you. Right. So, Mo, this is chaos, Mo. I do apologise. I know you're a busy man, you Miami, dude. Give us the next category, Mo. The third category of the evening is for International Fighter of the Year.

Here are your nominees. Alexander Usik. Naoya Inouye. Katie Taylor. Bam Rodriguez. And finally, Terence Crawford. Okay, so thanks very much indeed, Mo. What a job he's done.

Mo, I tell you Mo's been on some big gigs this year, isn't he? BBC TV, Netflix. Flicks? All over the gap. It's like six foot nine. It's been on some big gigs. It's been on some big gigs. Well, okay, so big names.

I don't think we've missed anybody. I'm sorry, I don't think we've missed anybody off this list. Actually, there's a straw weight that I felt. No, I'm joking. But there's an atom. How about the atom weight? The woman of Fort Francesca Hennessy at the start of the month, last month, November, whatever it was.

She was an atom weight champion. It's not been there. So what we're doing, boys, what we're thinking here? They're big names. Go on, go on, go on. Do you have a go. But they are. It's a great list.

really is. I mean, there's so much to take into account. You know, how active you've been, what titles you've been defending, who you've beaten. Yeah. And how big the crowd is, does that matter? Well, look, okay, one of the best atmospheres we went to was when we watched Katie Taylor Serrano.

That was incredible. It's absolutely incredible. And the performance to win that third fight was, it was punch perfect. She boxed so well, didn't she? A lot of people saying, And I don't think Katie can do it now, a bit too long in the two. I said the same thing. You know what I looked up the other day?

Because I thought I would double check it before we did this round. Because I remember I thought Katie breezed it, like a breeze, breeze, breeze, breeze. One judge had it a draw. Could you have you forgotten that? No, that's nuts. Listen, even the two judges that went for Katie, I only gave it to her by 6-4 something. Quite seriously, I agree with you completely. It was an incredible event.

In fact, that comes up, I think, later on. I think Moe's got that on his list for a bit later on. So who's it going to be? I've got to push you here a little bit. We've got to move on a little bit. You're allowed to come in? I can chip in. It's difficult.

I think, because the stand-up win is Crawford beating Canello, because there's the occasion, moving up two weights, and it is, but it's one fight. Nakatani, he's had three fights this year, right until the 27th of December. Now, Bams had two, picking up titles along the way, an new way.

He's had three fights, Ahmed Diliyev, four fights, Picasso, So Cadenas, where he got dropped as well, and in a fight just before that. I think the fact that he's been so active, picking up titles as well, being undisputed at that weight class,

you have to give it to Naya Nui, I think. You know, actually, you generally don't have to, but that's so good it is. But I think that the fact that he's been as busy as a fighter from the 80s, which we all cream about, because that's a generation of greatness, then I think that supersedes

the one great win for Crawford. I wonder if going forward, this category, the international fight of the year, or even the domestic fight of the year, I wonder if the person, he or she, has to have fought more than once. You'd have two people on the list every year, that's a problem. And it depends who you be.

It depends who you be. Because like Barry said, that the standout win is Terrence Crawford, stepping up at the two divisions. You fancied Crawford, I did you? I did, yeah. You did. Oh, no, I went for Canello.

I fancied 12 hard rounds, but I fancied Canello after 12. Yeah, I went Crawford. I just thought he'd be to. busy. But anyway, that is the standout win. But I've got to agree with Barry. I'm going to, sorry, it's going to have to be on us even here because I think you've got to be busy. You've got to be active. I like seeing these top tier fighters fighting more regularly. Once a year is not enough for me. And I'm saying this as a fan. I want to be seeing these great fighters fight all the time.

And although he didn't have a win of the magnitude that Terrence Crawford did, I still think the four fights would win it for me. I'm going to do a thing now. For those of you who who are fans of Goodfellas. You know that scene at the end of the movie where Ray Liotta is in the courtroom, then he suddenly turns around and looks straight down the camera and we break away.

I think they call it going into the third dimension or the fourth dimension. I'm going to do that. I've got to be so, basically, if you can imagine we're in a studio now and Darren's frozen, Barry's frozen, and Paddy the producer's frozen,

and I've turned to camera, all right, and I'm the only person allowed to talk and I'm the only person moving because I've got to be honest and tell people. We're recording this. There we go.

We're recording this before Enui fights. So assuming Anui beats Picasso on the 27th of December. No, you're not meant to talk. This is the whole point of it. When Ray Lutta breaks out, there's absolute silence in the courtrooms are. So we've got into that dimension, that realm, and assuming Anui wins, then I agree with you to. If he loses, if he loses, I'm going to go for Katie Taylor. Now, the way that works.

I'm going to go for Katie Taylor as a one-off because it was masterful. And I think he was more masterful than Usik. But listen, it's a Nui. We assume he's going to win, but I've just had to let people know the truth. Now, everyone, listen, let's go with these movies, and let's go to a round where you can rewind it.

What Steve just say? You want to go back? You want to go back? So it's just a Nui. So I think you have to say, because at the end of the day, it's still a boxer. She beat twice before.

Yeah. So even though they were too close, controversial fights, I thought she won in both, arguably. I thought she did. So I think you've got to go BAM or you have to go Crawford.

Bam's had two wins and picked up two more belts added to his belt, WBC belt, and Crawford beats the poxer boy of boxing. So you dropped it down to three. Well, how about the Usik and Dubois events? 90-odd-odd-thousand, Daniel Dubois, you know, seemed to lose it. I mean, Darren, you and I were with him on the bus on the, what, the Monday or whatever, that week, and he seemed all right then, and he just, no, so during the bus journey,

he just went into, it was, it was during the bus journey, that he went into a shell. That was when he went into a shell. just like just really really strange and then coming, getting closer to the fight he couldn't do interviews and he was like crumbling in front of us but then Usik was just I thought Usik was majestic in that fight

Yeah 100% but it was a fight in which most For Usik would win There was a few questions asked about Dubois But again Especially that so-called party in the house before on the day of the fight Exactly but he was crowned Two-time Undisputed heavyweight champion of the world

Wasn't it? Yeah. So that has its own meaning behind it. But I just like, for me, activity is the most important. And Junta-Nakatani. It was massively overlooked because of Nui is Japan's, no, star. But he is, like, he's right on his heels.

You know what? You know what's starting to worry me about you at the moment, Barry? This is not a niche boxer, by the way. You're doing so many shows in so many countries. I'm afraid that you're going to try and drop in a fighter, amalgamation of fighters that don't exist. You're just going to drop in some guy with two Japanese-sounding names against some Mexican with two Mexican

sounding names and tell me how great there was for straw weight on the undercard of a fight Abu Dhabi I'll just pause. If you listen to Boxing 5 Live and you don't know Junta Nacatanis Yeah, you do know. No, hang on in a minute then you're not doing your job bunts.

No, we, we, every time I'm gonna, I've been pushing very quickly I've been pushing his fight of Anoui for ages. I've been pushing his fight with Anoui and Newee anewy for ages. Not at the start of the year. I know you have, I knew you are.

We spent six months pushing Nick Bull against the Nui because that was meant to be, because Frank, I mean, we had a serious conversation with Frank Ryan and everybody else in the Nick Ball team back in March or April when he had his second defense of the year,

or first defense of the year, rather, in Liverpool. And it was all about, oh, we're going to be really stuffed, you know, because Turkey, Turkey, Alasheek, he wants to do this fight on Boxing Day

because we were talking about it back in March. He didn't do it on Boxing Day in the end he did it on the 27. Okay, I'm not very happy with the way we've answered this. I'm going to simplify it, okay, and I'm going to ask you to put those in all the

pound for pound order. You want to start in fifth, go to first, or you want to start in first, go to fifth? Well, I struggle for number one. Number one for me is out of Usick and Crawford. Yep. All right, so I toss up between the two, just because it's heavy weights.

I'll go with Usick first, all right? And I know a lot of people go, man, but it's my... I go back as well. When I do this power for pound, I look at the amateur as well, Baza. I'm looking at him, seeing what he's done as an abyschard. I'm incorporating that. I don't care.

It's my list, right? It's my list. I don't care. So do you go back more than a year? on your pound for pound. Yeah, I'll go back. I don't care. I only go back one year exactly.

Okay, so in a reason, I should be going then Crawford because Canello, if you look at Canello record, he's beaten Canello. Yeah. Right, but anyway, I'm going to go, just because it's the heavy way, it's as heavy.

I'm going to go sick Crawford, Taylor, Katie Taylor, then I'm going to go a new way, bam. Barry? See, I think, my credit, we all have a long criteria for pound for pound for pound.

Mine is, what you've done, more importantly what you're doing right now and also also a little bit of what what you can do in the future what's ahead of you want that's the that's the kicker there you're from there I mean that's the least but certainly what you've done and what you're doing otherwise

Kenello's still number one still because of what he's done but what you're doing right now and that's why I think it's Crawford I think Usick closely followed by Anouet Katie Taylor and then bam on your list on this list

we have here. Yeah. So, listen, we've done it. And I can switch one and two there. I mean, considering what Katie Taylor's done, we can all switch one and so. Then you have to sort of what she's done with the opposition she's been up against.

Some of it's been stellar, but not all of it. So that's an argument because she's arguably is the most successful of all those fighters. I just like to do mine only a year. So unless they've done stuff in that year. So, you know, mine would, I'd still have all these five in it, I think,

because you've got to take into account. But sometimes, I quite like the idea of that. So if Tyson Fury comes back and beats Germain Franklin, we're not sticking in our pound for pound, because, you know, he hadn't his previous win was, well, back to Otto Vallet or whatever it was. Okay, fellas, we're not doing bad here. We're not doing bad at the time.

Mo, sorry for waking you up, Mo. If you could just put your Gahibres Splendido down, and if you could just push your sunglasses to the side and just give us the next category, please, Big Mo. Our fourth category of the evening is for UK, fighter of the year. Here are your nominees. Hamza Shiraz, Ellie Scottney, Fabio Wardley,

Moses It Talma, and finally, Nick Ball. First of all, because this has been the theme with you two today, have we missed anybody? Or would you have maybe slung someone else in us? You know what? My first thought came up was Nathaniel Collins. But he got a really disputed draw on his last fight. And it's not his fault because he won that fight, I thought. We all thought he won that fight. And so, yeah, I would have said to him,

but maybe he didn't get in there because of that. I understandably. But, no, it's a pretty good list, I think. That's nice. On the top of my head, that is. So go on, Dan. You can have a little punt on first on this. Turn what you're thinking.

Brilliant win. What Ellie Scottney's done is fantastic. It really is Moses of Talmar turning so many heads and he's a future flag bearer for. this sport in our country for sure Nick Ball is just his nickname is just so perfect the wrecking ball it's just fabulous

it makes perfect sense but I get brought in by the narratives all the time I'm a sucker for it this might be a 3-0 on this one and Fabio Wardley's rise from white collar boxing to WBO

World Champion and heavy fitted awkward punch at the start of his career I think I think if you get gifted the world title, you know, you get elevated from interim to world champion, in order to be class as a proper world champion, you need to win your first defence. There's been many out there,

and I don't want to be disrespectful, but I don't, you know, you've... That's for the next part, but you're absolutely right, you've got to win your first defence. In his first defence... Daniel Dubois done it. In his first defence, does he have to fight someone particularly good? Daniel Dubois went to AJ.

Can Fabio, because he's... He's been on a, you know, he was against it this year. Hooney lost, losing clearly, finished it late. Parker, losing clearly, finished it late. Can he have an easy hole at him? Is he allowed to find something in the rankings, that's all right? Yeah, somebody in the ranking. Even a voluntary, you've got to be top 10, 15.

So if he does win his first defence, then it for me. But what a year. Yeah, what a year. I mean, what an incredible year. I mean, he's given us two fantastic nights baza. Yeah, I mean, the narrative of his whole, the most, unique way in boxing history to win a world's title. That's the truth of it.

Or even just to get to world level. But beating Justice Honey and then beating Joseph Parker, you can argue the two best wins in boxing combined. I mean, in that division. Yeah, yeah. Oh, in heavy way, yeah. Two of the best wins by any boxer in any division in the year. Close to, yeah.

They're close to, yeah. Because Parker, that tops it. And Justice Honey was a, no, potentially a world-class fighter we were really not sure about but he was totally up boxing him that's before you bring in the narrative about who he is and where he's come from

I mean so you know and all the things all the mistakes he makes that he just literally like I called him But he hands about during the fight he often changes his stuff during he learned you see him learning during the fight He's turning, you see him changing during him

What do I say every time someone mentions someone mentions what's his name Fabio Wardy I always say he's the most instinctive fighter since Nigel Ben Yeah you said that I said it all the time it's ridiculous now Oh, which I say it. You say I love Bam, and he's the most instinctive fire since Nigel Ben.

Because when he's knackered, well, when he's... Look at that pivot. Oh, pivot. I'm trying to get off pivot now, and because of people... Because everyone's jumped on the pivot wagon, haven't I? Yeah, I got the baddie bingo, the bally bingo. I don't want to be bally bally buggled. Does he do it be...

But he's not my fighter. He's not. Who's yours? I know. I'm making them. I mean, it would have been... What's he going for? Mine would have been Fabi Wadi, but you two are going to go Fabriwati, so I'm going to go for Eddie Scotty.

and I love it. I love her. She's one of my favourites, I know that. But she was putting the wilderness. Yeah. Oh no, she was gone? She was cast away. She was cast away with a world title.

I believe they call it council culture. And I don't get, I don't blame anybody because everything's got to make it living. Promoters and TV companies. But it was like, we can't make no money off you or whatever. You know, what are we going to do? I understand.

But like, you win a world title, you think this is about I going to get the success financially and otherwise. And she didn't get it. And then luckily, you know, Netflix came around with a show. But she had to go to America on a massive show. And we were there at the weighing.

Switch managed. Went to MVP, Jake Paul and Nikita Bidarian. That weighing was enough to make you lose your bottle. It was mega, wasn't there? I mean, the whole setup, and Madsa Square Gardens. And she was the box of the night, I thought, that night. She boxed out of her skin. And I know they were giving it.

They had a bonus for like $50,000 or whatever. She didn't get it. Well, it was ridiculous. She didn't get it. She literally deserved that more than anybody else. She basically boxed off YMILF Mercado's ears. Yeah. To win, to add the WBC, F-Undlers.

And it was a master class. Let's get it right. Brilliant. And with scope to do more. So for me, I mean, Fabio will get it and so we should. But, I mean, just to add a little bit of a twist here. I think Ellie Scott. You've made a strong case for the Queen of Catford, son.

Strong case? I thought you've got a soft spot for her as well, Steve. She's fantastic. Cidia Abushing is wrong. When we do TV together? She's unbelievable. That was brilliant. She's just attacking me nonstop!

Well, she's realised. Like, she's licking my work. I'm not happy about that. But she's realised that she's thinking Barry's got more work off the back and just taking the Mick out of the Bunce.

Yeah. No, she has! She's stolen your gameplay. No, she's wrong me. She said, I said, listen, don't worry about the... Don't worry about the...

Don't worry about the punts every now and again, and that'll be it then. Steve, don't worry about Barry, by the way. You wouldn't mind being a pound no behind in, or two. Yeah, I know.

Times allowed to me. He has been in the Middle East more than the American envoys. Yes, he's been out in the Middle East? How many Middle East? How many Middle East? since you've been initially a six, five? No, I'd be it before, I think.

But, um, no, yeah. Completed it. He's completed it in the Middle East, mate. I bought a bit of land, though, then. I'm just digging out, I'm just digging. I'm just digging as I go. You had a good time in Bahrain. We had a great time.

Me and Dal had a great time in Bahrain. Lovely, you loved it. Well, we've got to move on, as I'd like to talk about. So I tell what we're going to do, I'm going to go with Fabio. So Fabio's going to take that because I think that the way he came, the way, the patience against Houdin,

not that he had any, any option, and just the guts and the bravery and a bit of stupidity from Parker. Don't worry, let's get that right. Okay, let's get that right. In fact, there's a nice conversation to be had. We might do it if we get a few minutes at the end about Andy Lee.

What a rollercoaster, Andalee's this year. Anyway, fellas. Mo, we are cracking on here, Mo. Is it sunset yet in Miami, Mo? If it isn't, and if you're still awake, you're still with us. Give us the next category, son. The fifth category of the evening is for UK breakthrough boxer of the year.

Here are the nominees. Pat Brown. Francesca Hennessy. Jamie TKV. Tia Mayaten. And finally, Leo Atang. Oh, that's a lovely list. But I think in many ways, Moses Itama and Hamza Shia.

I know Hamza Shia as a, you know, he's not a novice, but it was his year. It was his big year, you know, Hamza. That big New York thing. was a launcher. So I want to talk about a bit about Moses and a little bit

about Hamza. I know that the Hamza thing, I know that you were convinced it would happen by you. I was with you in your hotel room two hours before the first bell and you were convinced. I thought he might get to him,

but I didn't think he'd dominate. I didn't think he'd do it with such disdain. I thought he was scary, she arrived in New York. I think it wasn't about technically, it was the whole amountal. I think against the damas,

he looked, I mean, he hurt his hand, but he didn't know that at the time, but he looked like a fighter who just was overall by the occasion. And he was, he told the truth. And that's a worry. You think people like that just don't get over the line. Or they learn from it.

But very usually they just don't get over the line. Because boxing, you've got to be physically fit and skill and all rest fit, training hard. All these things are important. But the mental side that people talk about is, it is real. It's usually between winning a world title or not is about how you cook with the occasion, or you cook with pressure. And are you either ignore it, or you harness it, whatever it is.

But no one prepared him for. for it, Bell. I mean, he was, he was ill, and this is my reading of it. I mean, he switches to Andy Lee, and he gets in, you know, in the, so to Belanga fight, he's prepared for the pressure. He's already experienced it, because I don't, I think Shere has thought, all he had to do was go to Riyadh, have tea at 4 o'clock in the morning with

Turkey, Al-a-Shake, get in the ring the next day and get the belt. I don't think he, I don't think he'd actually read between the lines. No, I really don't. But that's, that's his fault. Yeah, no, I suppose at the end of the day, it's his fault. It was all his fault. I mean, the box are going to take the, you take all the credit, that I'm doing all the credit, you take all the blame.

That you have to. That's why I would say the trainers only is the fighter. You can give you loads of, they can give you all the ingredients. They can help you all the, but ultimately, all the equipment,

but ultimately, you've got to go out and do it in the ring. So you got, and also training for the fight, you've got to get your mind right. They can help you, but you've got to get it right.

So if you can, they can get you prepared and they say, what's going to happen and all. Andy Lee's Berlin, he's been at the highest level and he's trained fighters at the highest level also.

But if you could, it's all you cook with her yourself. And that I knows, because Dalens know, that's going to medicate a choice. What you're saying is bang on with a mindset. And I can remember going in the ring with Sergio Martina, Martinez thinking,

am I good enough? I'm going to give it my best, but am I good enough? When did you start thinking that? In camp or on the night? I'd say from the time it was announced. You know, I'd been in there with elite-level fighters sparring,

but I'd never been in the ring with one. That's a lot of time to have a doubt in your mind, isn't it? I mean, I would say, I'd be lying to you if I didn't have a doubt in all of my fights. You know, and the angel. It's how you

how you manage it. And it wasn't until after the Martinez fight. I thought, hold on a minute, I can do this. And I think Hamza Shiraz has had exactly the same experience.

So, but Darmes, he hurt, his hand, whatever. By the way, you get that devil and angel

in the fight. Yeah. Okay, so, so I think the way he caught with that and the way he turned it around, that was phenomenal.

I mean, that's put him now, he knows, no, rise the occasion, he gets a pass what people thought. It can make you bulletproof. Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking. And I'm really pleased we've taken a bit of diversion.

We're going to take another one before we get back to the breakthrough fighter. And we talk about Moses, who, of course, is a breakthrough fighter. And he hasn't had the angel and the devil on his shoulders yet. Not had to. He's a raw talent. It's ridiculous. And I'm so glad it's in the heavyweight division when we're looking for the next stars. We talk about all the time.

I mean, two fighters spring to mine. with a Balagan when we was in Scotland I mean just frightening shout out to Balogam by the way he had a right go but he just he was completely second best and then Dillian White ignoring how bad Dillian was

you've got to be it was in front of you and the way he'd done it was just it weren't even in first gear it was like he was in neutral still he was yet to go in the gear that's the same thing with the mental side because you'll be thinking you won't be thinking oh this is Dillian

know who's passed his best, you'd be thinking, I've got to train for the best one. If the best did it turns up, it's a hard night for anyone in the world. He has been always. So he's gone in there thinking

a young guy who still got years to mature. He's just so confident. And when you talk to him, when you hear him speak, he's so thoughtful. We had him on the stage in me a few times on the build of in the week. And the way he pauses before he speaks,

something that maybe I should do. He's improved 100% from three years. Yeah, but you think, that's what he's like in the ring he's so good that he affords himself time to think before he does stuff but then executes it with such precision and speed and

just fluency in his work that none of them got a chance against him see none of them and he's only going to get better so what Hamza needed he's never needed that he's had I think some people is born with that sort of stuff he is frightening and I tell you what

if he continues in the same trajectory he is now then he will be the big biggest phenomenon. Now, I was he the best fight of all time. He'd be the biggest phenomenon that that division's seen since Mike Tyson. Forget about the 21 years of age. Which he did, thankfully, because there was a lot of pressure on that.

Mozart's time of fights, Sir, Jermaine Franklin, possibly one of the oldest of old-school American-style heavyweights. I really like Jermaine Franklin. He fits into the 80s. He fits into the 70s. He fits into that group of really good heavy weights that pushed the really best heavy weights. And the bracket that Moses needs.

Yeah. And he's the only one out there. If he gets rid of him in two rounds, you just go, wow. Stagling. If he gets rid of him in two or three rounds on the O2 in Manchester on Jan 24th, that would be as sensational as you can get. Let's go back to the breakthrough. It was Pat Brown, Fran Hennessy, Jamie TKV,

Tia Mia Aiton and Leo Atang. Now, it's a good list. Trust me. But as you know, this is my show. I know you're here with me. And I know Big Moe's asking the questions. and he's a superstar these days, all of his Netflix connections,

but essentially it's my show, and I can do what I like. Now, I did have Pat McCormack in there, and rightly so, by the way. But he's lost to Connor Walker in Monaco, which was one of the fights of the year, one of the finishes of the year, and it was quite brutal and savage to watch,

and emotional to be in the after them, both of them were in tears. So that defeat means that he has slipped off the list. Sorry, Pat, but that's just the way the business worse. And as for TKV, well, he deserves to be on several lists, but I'm taking him off of this list, the breakthrough

list. He's 32 years of age. Sure, he's two fights this year for the British title. The David Adelaide defeat, which was a bit harsh, which got him another British title of fight, and the victory over Fraser Clark in an absolute war live on BBC 2.

That was the BBC's return to boxing. He deserves to be somewhere, but he's not on my breakthrough list. So, TKV, Pat McCormack, sorry fellas, but I'm taking you off at this count. TKV, I'm not taking you off the category. I'm just putting you on the shelf. Pat, I apologize once again.

I don't know who wants to pick it up. Let's just steam through these. Do you know what? I really struggle with this. Some kids in this group. There is. Like Fran Hennessy. She's, she's, I like this addition to the female game.

She's got a lot of, uh, lovely personality. The BBC gig did some good business for it. Yeah. But she can fight as well, whether he... He's a box. She's a box. Yeah.

You know, one for me as well, Pat Brown. I think... I don't think he stays at Cruiserweight for... Five fights this year. He's massive, isn't he? He's massive, yeah. And I've said this about Dave Allen in the past, and you may have seen it.

He doesn't really rate anyone, Dave Allen, but he says, Pat Brown, although they're friends, Pat Brown's one of the best he's sparred with, one of the biggest hitters he's been in with. And that's saying, something, so, pats up there. And little Tia. Tia, I know, she's only 19.

Potentially could be mine, okay? She's dropping people with clean shots. She's doing, she's doing the sort of stuff that Nas did. And there's certain people that are born just to fight, and she is one of them. What she had something like 300 fights in kickboxing, MMA and boxing, and she's lost one or something. Yeah, and let's not forget.

You know, you can ignore what I'm going. talking, the same when I'm talking about Tim A. A. But Katie Taylor, who is arguably the greatest female of all time, says she will be the greatest

of all time. Leo Atang, Big Leo. Leo Atang, yeah, again, another one. 18 years of age, I think he is.

Yeah, it's not quite a breach of the female. No, no, no, no, it's a no one. Don't start digging out Big Mo. Don't start digging out Big Moe. Don't start digging out of Big Moe,

for coming up with names that you don't agree with. Moe, let me say something on me. Moe doesn't do two-way. When I see you, you won't see me, you can look down on that far, but yeah, I think, yeah, I think, is it Pat Brown? I'm going Pat Brown, I think. Barry? Yeah, I'll go with Pat Brown.

Phew, Big Moe, it's the first time we've been unanimous. The sixth category of the evening, and my personal favorite, is event of the year. Here are the nominees. UBank Jr. versus Ben won. Taylor versus Serrano, three. Usik versus Dubois. Canello versus Crawford. And finally, Parker versus Wardley.

Thank you very much, Big Mo. Oh, this is tricky this one. I don't think it's that tricky. You don't. If I'm honest. Runner up for me is Usik Dubois. Yeah. Because I think any event at Wembley needs, you know, commending to put it on.

The build up was brilliant. We had a great time. It was a great week. But I think to finally get this fight between two sons of two legends that we remember growing up and watching. He was on the undercut. He was on the undercut. Of course he remembers. Have I mentioned him?

For me. The main thing is, that's what's shocking to me. I say Barry was on the under card the fear of dreams for you bank Ben too and people just carry on talking. But he was young. To be fair Barry was you then.

You was young when you? He was 19. He was 19, there you go. But yeah, I just think to finally have that fight the week was brilliant. All the back and forths between the two fighters, Eddie and Chris was just fantastic.

The atmosphere on the night was kind of unrivaled really. it was special, you know, half were Ben, half were Eubank. It was, it was spectacular, and the fight was just out of this world. The last two or three rounds were just... Yeah, and everyone's talking about, you know, what sort of title would they pick up, what level are they?

Let's forget about that, I mean, as a spectacle, as far as drama is concerned, that added all. That really had it all. And for me, that is the event of the year. Barry? Yeah, I got to go with him. I mean, it was, listen, between the three of us, there's not a big fight.

We haven't done the last sort of 15, 20 years, but you're longer than you because you're older. I tell you, sorry, for him, we've had eight or nine years of lunas, haven't we? No, seriously. If you just do it from, say, well, 10 years, if you do it from Fury, 50,000 in Dusseldorf, beating Vladimir Eclitska,

which was just 10 years. ago. Chadra. No, it was it was, yeah. No, it was. The anniversary was in November. That's unbellal. That's madness.

So if you do it from there, that 10-year period, we've never had 10 years like that in British boxing, ever, ever, ever. Canello Gullochin two fights. You've got Furi Wilder three times. Fiori Uc. Just about all the A.J. Enormous stadiums. All the enormous stadiums.

Anyway, so, who's going to mention the dad arriving? Come on, Barry. Tell the story. That's the thing with the event, you know, The fact that, you know, dad wasn't any of the builder for the first fight, the Chris Sr., of course, and didn't want the fight to happen because of the weight,

the rehydration cause, and the worry about his son's health. And then, none of us for sure. And then on the big screen, Chris gets out of that SUV, and his dad gets steps out with him. I mean, it was just, I mean, that's what I was trying to say.

We've been to do all these big events, big fights, and you think, you know, nothing can top so-and-so, nothing to top this, nothing to top that. And then... I mean, The feed, I was 15 again. Yeah.

I was 15. I was, like, jumping up, I don't jump it very often because of my knees. I mean, literally, I'm going to jump up all the time, no notices. But, I mean, it was unbelievable. It's just a buzz and the whole crowd brought into it. They want a seat there. The person in that seat wasn't just tingling with the excitement. And then the ring walks were fantastic.

Then we haven't got to the fight yet. I mean, but you're done. You're knackered. You're mentally exhausted by the whole builder. And then the fight itself lived up to the hype. It was an absolute war from bell to bell. And I've got to say, even, like, just, you just watch the emotion.

I mean, and it, there's some, those two faces after that fight just sums up what boxing is, what sport is, the elation and deflation. You, a bend on the ropes, tears in his eyes, just look at his face, just thinking, I couldn't done any more. What am I supposed to do? I just couldn't, it wasn't enough.

And we've both been there, unfortunately. And we've both been the other side as well, where Chris was just like the joy in his, face, you know what I mean? All right. All right. Just with elation and just accept, I've done it. And we've been there.

And when you've been, and you've felt both of that, you know how amazing and it is. And it was just... It had everything. It didn't miss anything. I should have just said that. I should have just said that. Yeah.

Had absolutely everything. It was perfect. Yeah. I absolutely loved it. So as good as Taylor and Serrano was in New York and it was Ussick and Dubai and it was, Kinello and Corford and it was 70,000 of the L. And, and it was. then Parker Wardley at the O2.

And I agree. I think that deserves a place on this disc because that was one of those fights where you get sucked in, the crowd gets sucked in, the fans get sucked in. He gets caught out in his fights. That's what it was,

one step too many for them, wasn't there? Oh, it was just brilliant. Oh, Big Mo, we're having a few. How many more categories have got in Big Mo? Can't be many left. Our final category of the evening is the non-fighting moment of the year. And hold on the second, guys.

I can't. There's no nominees in this envelope. Okay, well, because the non-fighting moment of the year is kind of subjective anyway, there are no nominees because I can't find them. So, lads, you're on your own. Okay, so listen, just a few minutes to finish up here, boys, and I've got to tell you, it's been an absolute pleasure and a delight. So basically, I mean, non-fighting, but boxing-related.

No golf. I know Darren usually talks about showers at 30,000 feet in his private private suites. And Barry talks about the brand new lounges in Abu Dhabi and all those other places in the Middle East. But let's do a boxing non- Yeah, Steve, let me show you what mine is on my list. And then ask Darren what his is.

Oh, go on. Love it. Go on. Tell him what yours, Dar. Being in the ring at Wembley Stadium and doing a breakdown between two top class fighters and looking around at all the people in Wembley. Honestly, the goosebumps. It was such a buzz.

And I tell you what, as well, we were both the same. The respect that we have now for anyone who gets in that ring, in that stadium with that amount of eyes on you, that was spectacular, baza. Could even know, no one's listening to us, by the way. Doesn't matter. I mean, arguably ever. I remember watching it. It was good.

It looked good from outside the ring. Yeah, it was brilliant. No, but when you look up and you go, this is madness. And also, it was only like half full at the time. You just go like, no, we've boxed in the arenas and big stadiums. We all are that. But I mean, we've all been there, ringsides for all these fights.

But I mean, when you're actually in that ring there, it was just going and, oh, this is crazy. And then we got on the stage after a few times as well, further down. And just doing that, I mean, it just goes to show, like we've boxed, we've won more titles. We've been to do all these fights, we've done, stuff but ultimately when it boils on to it

all of us in this room we're just boxing fans in it but you tell people that it's not trying to be humble we're privileged boxing fans I mean I love boxing more than my own career I say it all the time and I mean

I just like being there is amazing but like getting to get in the ring and when we looked around we were saying to each other on me this is look at this if we never worked the day on life again this is enough you know like getting in the ring

I had one of those seven years ago when Fury got up in the 12 round and Deonti Wilder couldn't finish him and I got in the ring at the end of that fight and interviewed the pair of them together okay and then I also got in the ring Madison Square Garden in the ring after Katie Taylor and Serrano won

that would do I mean that I was there both of them are you watching yeah you're literally in the ring you're going oh this is it's good a big you know you've gone beyond privilege now because as former fighters all of us you know that ring is a sacred place you know that's where magic happens that's where dreams are made and where dreams are

But then also for it to be our national stadium, you know, it was a real special moment. Okay, Barry, maybe not so much. But, yeah, it was just, yeah, that was a big moment. You know, to everyone listening to this, they might not, you know, I hope we're selling it enough. But for me and Barry, it was, it was real, a real honour. I mean, even few of the music weren't. I got covered in blood. So I got Todd Grisham with six foot two.

That and six foot and a half, whatever he is. And you got the blood? I mean, literally, I had all of my suit. I splattered a bit of Fury's eye, it was. all over my suit and all of my bald head. I had the big red line all over. Not even mad Max. But you know what?

I loved it. Because you're like, look at this. Like, it's just like, I'm, look where we are. You're seeing like these great people do great things from so close up. I mean, but that, that went for us. That being an average that night. Just made, just give us a realization of like where we've come and almost that full circle to still be involved in the sport.

That changed our lives and gave us hope and aspirations and all the dreams. just to still be involved. Oh, you're filling me with pride. Yeah. Filling me with it. I think, I think that is. And also in my contract, I'm on a pound more than that and that made me happy as well.

Yes, yes, you're on two quiboy. I think the U-Bank arrival, because we'd interviewed, for the pod, we'd interviewed Chris Eubank Senior two weeks earlier on this walk he was doing, walking to Michael Watson Marr,

we'd interviewed him outside Buckingham Palace, and he was really damning. You know, we had to check it before we could publish the, you know, you know, he's a disgrace. He called his son of disgrace. I mean, it was, and I interviewed Chris on the week, and really emotional on the Tuesday before the fight,

and he had tears in his eyes, and he said, Steve, all the son wants to do is please his father. So that took my breath away as a dad, as you two of both dads as well, and so to actually see him come, and we know a little bit about it now. We know it was, you know, it was in the works, he was in the works.

Eubank Senior has absolutely massively denied that he was paid. The suggestion, just being he was under there for money. But, you know, no, he's fretting legal action if that's the case. So forget all that. It was magic. It was magic. It was absolutely magic.

I tell you what, I tell you it was magic as we come to the end. This is not for this. This is for later. This is for next year. When you actually heard AJ was fighting, yeah, Jake Paul, that is a non-fighting major event of the year. That's like Kelly Maloney becoming, well, Kelly Maloney as opposed to Frank Maloney. That was a big one. Well, straight away, this will get slotted into knockout of the year for now.

next year. Listen, fellas, it's been an absolute delight and a pleasure. Barry Jones once again brilliant, back for the 17th year running. Darren, back for the fifth year running. The good news was, as I said at the star, they are now both wearing socks. Now, this boxing game, it's full of mysteries, it's full of Miami, it's full of love, it's full of glamour, it's full of glitz. And as Barry pointed out then, it's full of blood, it's full of guts, it's full of suffering.

It sucks you and it doesn't let you go. We love it. You this year, just the listeners, you've been absolutely. remarkable. Barry was sensational. Darren was sensational. So Big Mo, you've been absolutely brilliant. I'm going to take the boys out for some Italian food. That's what we do. We get

loads of water on the table. No alcohol. We have a fantastic time. Big Mo, take us out, beautiful boy. Well, ladies and gentlemen, that concludes tonight's and this year's ceremony. My thanks to tonight's judges, Steve Bunce, Darren

Barker, and Barry Jones, The bar will stay open until midnight, ladies and gentlemen. Now, I was told it was going to stay open until 2 a.m. I don't know who we need to talk to. I was told that before I accepted this job. It's fine. Whatever. Please everyone have a safe journey home.

From me, Cody Momarts, Big Moe. We will see you next year in 2026.