5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - The Surgeon Returns

Episode Date: April 17, 2026

Will the hype around Ben Whittaker translate into the ring? He takes on Braian Suarez in Liverpool on Saturday night, and Buncey catches up with him after the weigh-in. We also hear from Matchroom’s Frank Smith and his trainer Andy Lee, while chief support Molly McCann also joins Buncey for a chat.

This is Five Live Boxing. Ben Whitaker is unbeaten. He's an Olympic silver medalist. And he is without doubt one of the biggest stars in global boxing. Not domestic boxing, global boxing. And this weekend, he's in action in Liverpool. I'm Steve Bunce and this is Five Live Boxing. I like box parks. They're all over the country.

We've done the one in Croydon, we've done the one in Wembley and we've done the one now in Liverpool. The Wayans just finished. The boxers have left. have left, all of the boxes are left. A few people mined around. David DeMontes over there. And I'm sitting with Frank Smith, a match with. Frank, first of all, I've got to say, I'm really delighted that when Callum

Smith pulled out or was injured, that the show was kept in bed because there's an awful lot of local fighters on the bill and an awful lot of local talent and been at the top. So I'm happy you kept it. I was going to sing the show must go on, but I thought better of it, to be honest. I didn't want to upset any of your followers

and put anyone off listening to your show. But it was very important. for us to make sure that we kept on. I think we were talking about yesterday. I think we've cancelled two shows in the last 10 years. Well, that's going on. I think one was Eubank Ben. I think I can't remember what the other one was.

The aim is always to try and keep the shows on. You know, we've got 16 fighters on this card that had this not have happened, they wouldn't have got paid. And you can never really win because people go, why it's not the show it was? No, no, it isn't. It isn't, but it's still a great show. One of the hottest prospects in world boxing back out on the card.

Molly McCann is going to have an amazing night homecoming in Liverpool. So it's going to be a big, big show. And the fight that Ben's got against Brian Suarez, I saw him fight Lyndon Arthur. He's a lump. He's, you know, he's dangerous and he's, and we only got to look at the stats. I'll speak to Ben in a moment, but that was it, 21 wins and 20 by stopping, 20 by knockout, yeah, he had Lyndon all over the game in that fight. Look, I think he's a step up for Ben, you know, and it's always been the aim for us is to build him at the right pace. You got all these people saying, oh, he should fight David Morel, he should fight this guy. It's about building him because we believe he can be a global superstar of the world.

the sport for the next five, ten years. So we've got to do it at the right times. And that doesn't include, to become a global superstar, you can't have one of those learning defeats. I'm sorry, I agree with you. The Morel fight was being called for. Did Morrell call for the fight? Yeah, Morel was calling for the fight.

But look, on 10 days notice, again, our job is to deliver for Ben Whittaker, sort of forget the outside noise and build him in a manner that when he's ready to make those steps. He's an elite fighter. Yeah. You don't win an Olympic medal.

Yeah. You beat the guys he did on the way to the fight for by the way, yeah. without being there. But I think, you know, for us it's always been about when we signed him, the key thing was momentum and activity. And, you know, this year, he'll have four fights. He'll end up having five fights, I think, in 14 months by the end of this. That'd be perfect.

That's the plan. And the momentum is going to be key for that as he continues to step up the ranks. Because in some ways, even I think he's 28, if I'm not mistaken, I could check my notes, but I think he's 28. He's not an old 28. And you know what I mean by that, I mean, because you've been a... I was an old 208. No, you're an old 16, son.

If you don't want me saying so. You haven't changed since then. I still think about you as 17. I've got my driving licence. I'm going to get a car next week. That's not a slight on your business acumen. That's because you look so young. What's the secret, Frank?

Facials. Lots of facials. Cold plunges. And a missus who makes me, I have a skincare routine now. I'm sure the five live followers are huge fans of skincare routines. No, listen, if I've got men talking about skin care routines on a boxing pod, That's a brand new bingo car.

Where is it all gone wrong, Bansett? Where's it all gone wrong, I would argue. No, listen, so with Ben, it's a busy year and I'm really, I like the idea that, you know, he's going to be built and it might take another year before you get to really difficult fights, but it is the light, heavyweight division. It's an old question. What a division, Frank. It is full of big, big, established names.

100%. And, like, our job is to get him to that point and get him there in the best way possible that allows him once he steps into those big fights, he's ready and he's prepared. I think him with Andy Lee as well is a great pairing. I think you're going to continue to see improvements with them from that side as well. So, yeah, it's exciting times. And he can, as I say, he can become a, with his personality, with the way he fights, the entertainment he delivers,

he can become not just a superstar in the UK, but a global, you know, a global staff. Will he fight in America this year? Yeah, that's the plan. That's the plan next. That's a plan next. He's not looking past Saturday night. Of course not. He knows he's got a test on Saturday night,

but that's the plan for us, and hopefully we'll get that now soon. And with regard, you mentioned Andy Lee there. I like that sort of camp atmosphere that Andy's got. I like also the idea that no... It needs to be a sign on the wall at the Fitzroy Lodge. There's no boys bigger than the club.

And I believe that Andy's created that a little bit. So he might have Joseph Parker there, former world champion, you know, still top contender. He might have Hamji Shires, World Title Fight coming up. Pally Donovan, world title fights in the past. He might have that, no boy is bigger than the club. I like their mentality.

Yeah, I think also being around people, it's a bit like AJ being around Usick now. You know, having those people around you to continue to drive you full, because sometimes they go the other way where fighters become stars, and it's like no one else is allowed in the camp. No one else is allowed around me.

Lock door, I've seen that a few times. I don't like that. And I just, I actually think it's beneficial this way around, you know, and that's what, like you say, Ben's got there. And I think it's going to continue to help develop him, you know, both inside and outside the ring.

And I just one second for him, because I did actually catch him, We'll have a chat with Ben once he left the stage just before I came in here. Here's Ben talking to me. I thought here before a couple of times. The ABAs? Yeah, when the ABA's down here, I also had my WSB debut down here. So it's a fighting town.

They love the fighting and it's good to come down and keep the show on for not just me, but the whole undercard as well, so it's good. And this guy, as I saw him against Lyndon Arthur. It was one of the fights we did on Channel 5. He's obviously got a lot of power. He's only got a look at the stats and he's dangerous until you get to. So it's not an easy, it's not a walkover fight. Yeah, of course.

Which is good for you, isn't it? Yeah, it's good. He's 21 wins, 20 knockouts, so he's had more knockouts than have had fights. So on paper, he's a good opponent. I'm not overlooking him, of course, but I just feel every department I'm better than him. I've trained hard, I've dedicated myself, so I've just got to go out there and shine now. And this is like heavyweight division, we've been talking about this for two or three years now. I know there's the two giants at the top, Bivel and Batabia.

We know the Bivis fighting the game. We're not sure about what Batavia do. but the rest of it, there's still 15-20. I mean, you're looking at, I mean, you could fight two people a year for the next 10 years. Literally, it's a great division. I think, like I said, back in the day, it probably just, for me anyway, it was Warden-Colove, and that was it. Yeah.

But even domestically, there's great fights there to be made. So to be a part of that, to be a part of that bunch and hopefully be the top of that tree, that's what we want. It's a great part to be a lot of heavyweight. Well, we know the domestics front works. Look at the two clashes with Liam Cameron, all the stories from the first one, and then shutting everybody up in the second one. So we know the domestic route works as well.

Yeah, it does. You can go international like I'm doing this weekend or you can go domestic. But for me, it says, be who's in front of me now and then the rest of us waiting line. And how about normal life? How's life doing? Because you know, you were 24, 22, 23 forever.

Now you're what, 28 years of age? How's life doing? Yeah, you get out of bed, you knees at a little bit now, you got to have the right mattress. If they don't know, I can assure you that's in your mind. But yeah, life's good, man. Everything's in my favour, really. I'm allowed to live the job that I do.

I get paid doing the job that I do. And it's amazing, really. I'm around friends and family. So it's a position to be in. I love it. And with regards to leaning forward, I don't want to look beyond Suarez, but I've got to look beyond Suarez,

because whether you like it or not, we all have to look beyond where we are. When I look at that landscape going forward, If you had an ideal shopping list, three fighters, where would you take? How would you do it? In an ideal one, 18 months, Ben Whitaker, gaze into your crystal ball. Well, beat this kid, of course. That's number one, then.

I'll give you that as number one. Turn into Argentina steak. And then we'll fly out to America, like Eddie Murphy coming to America. I don't know who yet, but we'll leave that to my manager. Then come on, no, I mean, come on. Do a nice homecoming, fight somebody good, highly ranked. and then enjoy Christmas, I open my presents under the tree. That's it, man.

Look forward to a great 2027. That's it, exactly. And then I've got to ask you this finally. How's Andy in the gym doing? Because there's fighters galore in that gym at the moment. Yeah, I'm very privileged, man. I'm very privileged. I have a great camp each and every time.

My brother does a big block first. So I got a shout out my brother Jamie Wick, who does a lot of work for me. And the abs are on the stage is from him, man. He helps me out. And then I go out there with Andy Lee, and you look to the left, you got Hamza Shiro's on the beach.

look to the right you got Paddy Donovan and they compare in me I want to outwork them so if I see them sit down maybe for a second I'm standing up it's little things like that but it's what you need like I used to just train on my own other than Team Gb so to have that team morale and do you like that team spirit that's like it seems to be like a team spirit yeah like important to you 100% at the end of the day one's fought for a world title and one's gonna fight for a world title so on paper they're higher than me so I sit down watch them see what they do so the little things they do go on the bag I'll have a look at the corner of my eyes see what they're doing and

I'm a fired up picks up things quick so to be around them it's good to be around and when you're around them is paddy the boss on account of it being on his home turf yeah it's near enough it's his turf man so we tread lightly man but like you said the announced me up there as representing belly brack island I feel like it's a second home now the the welcome me in and yeah it's nice to nice to fire out of it when you're away in a camp like that and you've got a regime like that. It's all about sacrifice as well, is it? I don't know who you've got with you.

You're still away from home. Yeah. You're not on your doorstep. You're not doing your stuff. It is all about sacrifice because Hamza knew about that when he went out to California. I don't know if you and him have taught comparing notes. Because even, I mean, Dublin is a lovely place. But you're still away from home.

Exactly. It's not home. For me, I get a bit too cozy at home and it's shown before. I get cozy. So for me, just going out your comfort zone, not really known anybody there, literally where I stay is the shop, Tesco, and the gym.

And it's what you need. It sounds boring, but it's what you need. And as you walk out to the car, because I'm really aware I've kept you in a freezing cold place here. If you were fighting next week, I might be accused of giving you a cold. I think you like to be out of a comfort zone. I think in the ring,

you don't mind being out of a comfort zone. I think you like to be against it. Yeah, it's what kind of brings the best of me, if that makes sense. a bit comfortable and I think it's gonna be easy. That's when I, it might get a bit sticky, but for me, I'm always at my comfort zone. And since the amateur, I've always been out my comfort zone.

I've gotten to Team G.B. real quick. I'll turn to the podium team real quick. And then my first ever tournament, I was fighting Alexander Kizniak, which he had like 500 fights. So for me, I've always been out my comfort zone and I learned quick like that, and I adapt very quick. You certainly do. Ben, let's enjoy yourself.

Thank you very much. Thanks for your time. So Ben, admitting there that he loves the atmosphere of being a camp like a club. Now, I know that Eddie went over to see Alexander Usick and AJ together. I don't know if you went. That looked like the perfect environment for AJ. It looked like his shoulders were down.

Look like, well, I hate to say it because obviously what happened in December, but look, the happiest I've seen him, Frank. Yeah, I think he's enjoying that side of it. I think he's enjoying being driven in training. You know, look, obviously his team have been so important to him and obviously with the losses in December.

They weren't just, people say, like, his training team, they were his best mates as well. You know? That's a point I've always tried to make. Yeah, but I think to see him like this amongst a group of people who are driving him forward. Because he's always been the same. He's always been someone who's wanted to improve. You know, never stood still, never been complacent.

And I think this is a great group of people around him. And having someone like Alexander Ussick, one of the most special fighters in the sport that we've seen in recent times, saying he's going to become an undisputed champion, you know, it's got to give you fire. It doesn't matter what you've done in your career. To have someone like that, you know, it's a big moment. And when I was talking to Eddie, it's been such a whirlwind in the last three or four weeks with the fights that we've had and the chaos that we've had on both sides of the road. It's been incredible. If you go back to February 20th, when Conner announced it, he was leaving you guys to go with Zufa.

Do you have to bring it up again? No, no, no, no. I'm just using that as my start point for the chaos. Since February the 20th, it's been absolutely ridiculous this boxing business. I know. So I don't know. It's a great time for boxing. So I spoke to Eddie, and Eddie was talking about, you know, AJ fighting in July.

So I'm trying to work out if that was the last interview I did with Eddie or the one before. But he was talking about AJ maybe fighting in July and also Katie Taylor fighting on her own at Croke Park in September. Do you know anything more about us? I know Ed's, is Ed not in Croke Park today Friday? Eddie's there. Eddie's there.

He didn't invite me to the meeting at Croke Park because he calls me Mr. Bottom Line and I look at the numbers and he really wants to do Croke Park. You spoil all the fun? Yeah, basically. Basically, I'm king of spoiling fun. But that's the plan. September in Croke Park would be ideal for Katie Taylor.

we want to make happen. AJ in July. In Croke Park? No, AJ in July, separately. I was trying to get two parts out of you. Trying to get a story here, isn't you? Like London buses. We'd be asking for Croke Park for years and then they both turn up.

Can you imagine that? I know. If we're in a Croke Park twice for six weeks. I can confirm we won't be doing Croke Park twice. So, but AJ, I mean, it's no secret. AJ in July, in theory. And then Katie Taylor, no surprise. If the numbers had up.

That's why you're being banned at the moment. I'm not allowed anywhere near it. Because they know that you're looking at it and go, doesn't add up. Sorry, doesn't add up. I'm like the human calculator. So that would be here. It would be absolutely no chance.

Frank, you know, we talk about how busy it's been and how wild it's been and how crazy it's been. Even that fight last weekend, the Tyson Fury fight and Conner been on the undercard. I know that you were there and Eddie was there. And I talked to Ed about how he was sitting next to Chris Eubank, Jr., who basically denied Ed's presence, apart from at the end when he touched Glozer.

And Dammit... It was a big punch that was. I saw it myself. I was thinking, thank goodness I didn't put my hand out. I'm not sure I would have got on. It was a proper shot. Then he smirked, didn't he? It was a big shot.

It was a big shot. I thought that looking at that, I don't know about you, but I left the venue with Lennox Lewis and I was chatting to Lennox. Let me just pick that up, just that name. Yeah, sorry about that name for you. Just grab that name for you.

Can I tell you real, story. This is a true story. We can't get to Lennox because he's protected by Netflix and he's protected by Geraldine, you know, who looks after him. No problem. So as we're leaving, we've got a lovely pod in the bag. We've got Tyson-fueying the dress. And we've got beautifuls. That's really lovely, you know, it's classic. Even, you know, forget the size of my head. It's a good pod, Frank. We're leaving. And as we're walking outside, we're bans, bans, a little turn around, it's Lennox. So I have to say to him, right? Just for my own good, I say, Let us. I don't need you on the pod son.

I'm finished. So we stand around and have a chat five minutes. And he says, I don't know what they did to AJ. So I don't know what they did to AJ. AJ did the right thing. What was your take on AJ's stance position and look, defiant look? Yeah, he's always been the same. He's never changed. He's never been someone to go and steal the limelight.

You know, he was there. He was watching the fight. The fight's not agreed between him and Tyson Fury. So, you know, why is he getting in the ring doing a face off? I'm not saying it's not going to happen, but it's not agreed. You know, how many things have we seen over the years and people going, why would you do that if it's not done? Well, he's not going to do that.

You know, so I think he played it perfectly. And also, he's in control, like, whether people like it or not, AJ is the commercial kingpin of the sport. You know, whether people want to agree with it. It's just the truth. Look at what he's done over the last 10 years. Look at what he's done for the sport, not just in the UK, but globally. He's never gone hiding, as he said.

And I think it's a big year ahead, you know, but he's always, he's never going to change himself. to appease anyone else. Frank, before I let you go, is there something coming up that might be announced in the next few weeks that I don't know about?

Is there something big? Is there anything? I mean, is there anything? I'm just looking at your eyes. What, in boxing or in general? No, no, no. I'm retiring. I'm sure there's a lot.

No, no, I just wondered if there was something that big you're about to announce. There's a lot going on. A lot of things happening, a lot of shows announced already, a lot more shows to be announced. What can I think?

I'm not going to give it away, though, if there is something. I just, I just, I mean, I know AJ's going to be announced because we know he's going to fight in July. And that's great news, that's big news, because we know it's good for his soul, it's good for his... Oh, you're talking about Eddie Hearned Dana White? No, no, no, no, I'm not... I'm not... I'm not...

If somebody wants... If someone can fight 30 mil on whatever Dana wants, then that could be announced. He is working out, though, isn't he? If I had 30 mil... Eddie? Yeah. I think he is.

Yeah, I mean, he's... His face is slim down. He's working out. He's getting ready for the big fight. Look, I've got a... I just wonder, when Dana gets on the inside, can Eddie take the body shots? But Eddie's already said, listen, I wasn't much good,

but I'll give it my go. He's already giving himself an out. He will. He's got a big punch on him. Because you had a white collar fight, didn't you? I did have a white collar fight. And I also sparred Eddie twice, and he beat me up.

Was that when you were 16? No, that was a few years. I was much heavier. I had a bun in my hair, and I looked about... That was a tricky period for you, Frank. I was a... I'll be honest with you.

It's a tricky period. Bunsey, I'll be honest with you. I've had some periods, you know, in my time where I look, I look back and I go, what were you thinking there? Frank, listen, it's been an absolute pleasure talking to you. Thanks so much your time. So as Frank Smith wanders off to do one or two more interviews,

of course, if Eddie was here, he'd do 30 interviews. They'll wait, they're queuing up for him. David DeMonti's still over the other side. The people are behind us taking the stage down. Now, the chief support upgraded from just part of the bill is Molly McCann, Meatball Molly. Not 50 metres from where I'm standing. She has one of her restaurants just across the road.

We'll be going there later on, grabbing some food. And don't worry, we do pay. I call that with Molly also. I just talk to her, not necessarily about being chief support, but just about what it means to be fighting in front of her hometown fans. It's just, every single fighter, it's so, like, generic just to say, oh, it's what you dream of, but it is. It is, yeah.

I've had about six fights there. I haven't fought there since I got put asleep in my UFC debut. bear in mind the fight before that I headlined and won the world title on Cage Warriors so it's a proper full circle moment to come back and I think I'm second on the ticket selling

so I've got a big push a big push to get number one I think and what does it mean to you as a boxer going back there because I know you've been there for fights what does that mean because you've been there you've been up in the crowds I mean cheap seats you work your way down the older you get and the more successful you get but you start off up in the 30 quitters

yeah like I said to you before I watched the GB box office. I've watched the European championships there. I've been to every match room and Queen's pretty show. I've fought there only in MMA and now I get to put on the eight-hound gloves and dance under the lights and it's

just, you know, when the body aches and you're tired and you're starving, it's just that little bit extra to get out of them satin sheets, as you would say, and get on that road and get running. I've never asked you this, Molly, but when you fight, on the night you fight, do you visualize the fight? Do you have to, do you

try and get in there early in the afternoon and do a walk, literally from your dressing room, to the hallway, to the start of the arena, to the arena, to the ring. Do you do that, or do you do it in your mind, or do you actually do a physical version? I do both. So my like 12, 14K runs, I run round the docks and loop and loop and loop. And then when I'm going to sleep at night,

I just envisaged the walkout, the crowd, the vibe, the atmosphere, and then how I want the fight to go. and in worst case scenario where's she going to take me what do I have to go dig deep to get out to come back does she hate me does the crowd bring me back

and give me that second life like you've got to go the whole positive and the negative I think but something I did learn at UFC Liverpool when I walked out he said you'll never get this feeling again so take it in

suck it in every breath of it I talk it in but too much so what that learned that thin line you've got to walk Yeah, so this one, it's the best of the city. It's iconic, and you'd think I'd be headlining with what it's going to be. But I am just settling them nerves, and even in training at the minute, we're practising, building up my adrenaline.

So when I get the dump, can you then? So I'm building up for my adrenaline, warming up. And then when I'm sparring, it's like, well, what can you do on that adrenaline dump? When it has got to you and the moment's got to you, what have you got? Because sometimes people can lose it on walk. sometimes people can love it. Yeah, too much. Especially in your hometown.

Your heart rate spikes and then you're in Red Zone from the beginning and you know me from round one. I'm like... Absolutely, yeah. So it's like this time. I just watch, just take it in but don't exist too much.

And I think even if you bring it back to when Katie Taylor fought Chantel on that homecoming, on that walkout, I think that could have played a part into that phase. It's not taken away from even right there. But you're right, you're absolutely right. She, there's enjoying it, and there's enjoying it, and there's what Katie did in Dublin that night.

She was forever on that air of that stage, wandering up and down, tears in her eyes, just looking at the crowd. And there was a point after a couple of minutes, and I was ring-celled, I think we had Michaela Meyer working with us, and Michaela Meyer mouth to me, why? It was just, it was a bit long. Listen, Shantel was brilliant that night. But you absolutely, you can lose it there.

But equally, when she fought Amanda Serrano, Amanda Spragone, she knew. She was sucking it in, she was singing her song and that was about a six minute so that kind of ruins that theory. Absolutely, but I think she just learned to harness and how to handle it and I think that's what I've learned

and for me it's like you've got to show the company your value what you bring to match room and how you can handle the big stages and this time I get to do it in my hometown and get to enjoy the fruit of labour. The fight's not won. The victory isn't the walkout.

The victory is after them eight rounds looking into the crowd and going, do you know what? My city, my people, my heart. So that was Molly McCann, obviously, delighted that the show has not been scrapped. Now, back to the main event, and Ben Whittaker. Now, his relationship with Andy Lee, we talked to Ben about it, only started about, I suppose, about a bit more than a year ago.

They had the Liam Cameron fight together. We didn't have that fight, the first fight with Match Room late last year. This is their third fight together. And it's already obvious that there is a special bond between the two of them. and Andy loves action. He loves keeping his fighters busy. Yeah, that's the key. I think one of the main reasons he went with Matcham

him was the promise of activity structure in these fights. And he needs to build, he needs to develop. He's got a huge recognition, and he's famous, but he needs to get that kind of steel about him, you know, that iron wheel. Do we saw in the camera fight? Yeah, just where he builds up two or three, three good victories and he feels invincible.

And you get the sense that Ben wants to go. Is that going to be not hard, but having to pull him back just a little bit and rein him in and say, no, that fight doesn't make sense, this fight makes sense, and then that fight makes sense. Stuff that you know. Yeah, there's a way of doing,

the thing has to be done. You can't just jump in at the deep end. Even though his talent, he could definitely mix it with the best in the world. But when you've got a talent like that, it has to be protected and done the correct way. match him right and I said develop

so when he does step up he's ready for them yeah and you get that sense of him he is ready and we forget Andy that was a silver medal and he could have won the final with just a little bit more work wasn't a bad decision but he could

and you know yourself as an Olympian you know a silver medal get into an Olympic final and a great man against the odds into three of the fights as well so listen he's I don't want to go into hype mode but his town

it's when you're training him and watching him in the gym it's exciting and it's a pleasure to watch and there's not much he can't do you know what I mean so the job with him for me it's not more about teaching him how to throw a job or showing him this or that it's about guiding him and having it's a more of a mental job and you know having their attitude and like almost like

a manual with Vladimir and I spend a lot of time talking together yeah that's talking watching talking watching Yeah, and building and programming the mindset. So that's the way in done and dusted. Ben Whittaker, Andy Lear, a bit of Molly McCann and Frank Smith with obviously his facial routine. Always good to know, always good to know. Me, I don't have a facial routine, but hey, I'm open to offers, as they say,

in the trade. Liverpool is a special fight city. It's a city a bit like Belfast where the fight fans come out and the fight fans know they know what they're looking for. know what they want. We start on Sports Extra from 7pm and then the main fight, Ben Whittaker against Brianna Suarez from 9pm on 5 Live. I've been Steve Bunce at the end of yet another extraordinary week for boxing.

And this has been 5 Live boxing. Teams. New Rules. Burns. We race live on BBC Sounds. On Five Live Sports