Beyond Boxing

The biggest fight since...the last biggest fight, and ahead of...the next biggest fight is nearly upon us. Can Joshua do anything different this time, or will the old demons return to haunt him?

The worst kept secret is out. Conor Benn will fight Chris Eubank Jr. on October the 8th at the O2. Yes, it feels like a money grab, but as fans this is a fight we'd have paid for, whenever it happened. All we can do now is get behind it and make it a legendary occasion.

Not a bad Matchroom show on Saturday. Hopefully they will accelerate Dalton Smith's progress because he has the foundations to be a world champion. Can we also stop with the Matchroom gimmicks? Chinese food, Five Guys and all the other rubbish.

Saturday night was probably the best Sky show in terms of setting expectations. Everything seemed to go right for them and let us hope this is the start and the foundation now. Isaac Chamberlain gave us fight of the year and the real shame is that there had to be a loser. In reality both fighters were elevated by this fight and the future is bright for both. Probably some roster changes needed to sustain consistent entertainment. However, one name they got right was Ben Whittaker. To some, it's a no-brainer, but others will still need convincing. The young man can do things that beggar belief and we should get behind him.

www.umarsadiq.com One of the more fascinating people to have laced up a pair of gloves. In some ways, Umar Sadiq never needed boxing - qualified accountant, multiple interests etc - but it drew him in and gave him the platform to successfully tackle life. We join him as he embarks on that next chapter and seeks to apply the lessons learned in the ring to the stage and screen.

Some additional ideas to build on Ep:102 Topics covered: Failures of S&C A weak gym culture Why a lot of boxers do not fulfill their potential How I approach all of this

British boxing is in crisis. At the heart of it is a simple truth. 90% of the boxers and coaches are not at the standard that we need to deliver world champions that can hold on tom their belts for years against the best. For too long, boxing allowed anyone to be a trainer. If you had enough money to own a gym, you were a trainer. It meant that you had a lot of bluffers and fakers in the sport. That has led to our guys being too soft, too unskilled, and too comfortable with mediocrity. Until the fans call out the failures and blaggers in the sport, they will continue to make it up as they go along, leaving the fans with nostalgia fights to get excited about.

Remember to follow here - https://twitter.com/highfieldboxing?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Here too - https://www.instagram.com/highfieldboxing/?hl=en A year after the split between Matchroom and Sky, where are we now?

It’s so hard to remember who to thank. Here, I tried my best. It isn’t perfect, but it captures the sentiment. Mad to think that this podcast is still relevant after all these years. I couldn’t record this without a purpose and that purpose is to give the boxing fans moments. Those points in time, they will always remember because they stopped them dead in their tracks. As long as I feel I can still do those, I will carry on. But…that takes time and you have to let me help create those moments.

As thanks for an awesome episode please take a few seconds to follow - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGymRatPackDoesEntertainment In the podcast world, it is rare to have ‘moments’ events or conversations that create a clear split between before and after. If you don’t believe me, name your favourite moment from the Sky Sports Toe-2-Toe podcast, or Costello and Bunce….there are none. I have been lucky to have a couple over the years and the biggest impact was definitely the episode on drugs with Larry. The episode went everywhere, across countries, seas, and even sports. It had the boxing world looking at things differently. It is only right that, as we celebrate episode 100, we revisit one of the great characters of my podcast run and give you a wider look at doping and where we are headed.

BEYOND BOXING EP99 - KATIE TAYLOR FINALLY ARRIVES...AND MORE by Highfield Boxing

Fury showed a masterful display of 'rules-based' boxing on Saturday and reminded us that boxing is so simple when you know what you need to do in every situation.

The Daniel Kinahan situation has shown up the mess that boxing is in. Far from an elite sport, it is a hiding place for general criminality, with many results now subject to question. At the heart of this is one question – where were the checks and balances to ensure that the right people occupied the right positions in the sport? Now, we will see the whole thing crumble, but who will rat first? A lot of people made a lot of money from this and now they will do anything to save their own skin. Being a kingpin is a lonely existence.

Boxing will remain a cesspool until we kick all criminals out of the sport. Anyone with a criminal record should be asked to leave. Anyone. Until we clean it up, it remains an easy home for illegal money.

Gennady Golovkin, all-time great, or not?

This week, we celebrate a stunning win by Savannah Marshall, remind people that Anthony Joshua’s record is no better or no worse than his peers. However, Dillian Whyte has massively overachieved in his career, and he needs respect for that. There is also a discussion on why those larger than life head coaches are essential for boxing to thrive.

Phil Martin is responsible, directly and indirectly, for much of Manchester’s boxing success over the last 25 years. If fact, you can spread that out to the North West in general. But why? Was it his drive for extreme fitness, was it his ability to build a community within a gym, or was it his bravery to take on the establishment at a time when many didn’t? It is probably all of the above, but the most important thing was the he was able to inspire so many, who have taken his principles and brought some of the best nights of boxing to Manchester. The sad thing is that he doesn’t get the same adulation that many, who achieved less, do.

Massive congrats to Leo Atang from Legions Boxing Club on his amateur title. If you want a prospect to keep in your back pocket, this is your guy. Yorkshire boxing is really bubbling right now.

Frank Warren is not a man you confront lightly. You definitely do not do it without preparation. Jeffrey Benz is still finding his way out of Frank's large intestine after being chewed up live on radio. Boxers, choose your advisors well. I bet Dillian regrets not signing with Al now.

Craig Richards against Joshua Buatsi is the type of fight that would keep British boxing bubbling. Sadly we do not see these types of fights often enough to keep the public interest. Both mean are at their peak, so this is the right time and credit to Matchroom for making it happen. Now, let us see if Hearn will commit the winner to Anthony yarde.

Here's the issue. If boxers like Sandy Ryan are going to get dragged for losing a fight they were never the favourite for, why is the incentive to take a risk. Also, thanks to Ben Shalom for making Dan Azeez v Matthew Tinker. This is what British Boxing should be about. A real story behind this fight, no need to manufacture it.

Let us be grateful that Michael Conlan is okay. BUT.... WHAT A FIGHT. We saw much of what is amazing about our sport and some bits that are still scary.

K_Ners: Time is Counting Remix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiINyM_CJfo Anthony Joshua seems to be on the final lap of his career. Does he still care about legacy or this is about ensuring he maximises the revenue for the Joshua Project?

Feels good to be back

What a dark night for boxing in the UK. We trust judges to use their best judgment to get the result 100% right. In the big fights, we still get this wrong.

This week is just a few reflections on where boxing is after the biggest British fight in a long time. If you can, follow @w9managment and @disturbing sports on instagram

What a night! Sky and Boxxer definitely delivered and we finally so one of the longest rivalries in British boxing resolved in the most emphatic way. On nights like these, no sport can compete with boxing.

The biggest fight since the last biggest fight is upon us. Who have you got?

For the full IFL interview with Frank Warren follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJOqZpRdzI Another weekend of boxing and another mixed bag. It would be right for Eddie Hearn to admit that he is rebuilding and we have to get used to sub-par Matchroom shows for the foreseeable future. But, in all the mediocrity, we saw good progress from Ellie Scotney, although there is still some work to do.

@highfieldboxing on all social media channels. You get the feeling that Eddie Hearn needs snookers in order to make this year a success. he has been frozen out of all the big fights this year and he is on the outside looking in. This is not the Eddie Hearn that DAZN thought they were getting, which is a big worry as they look to grow in challenging times. He seems like a man without a clue at the moment.

Well...the saga that never seemed to get started has finally ended. It leaves DAZN genuinely homeless and friendless at the moment, with a bank manager to please.

We finally had the purse bids, but as an added bonus, we also got the return of bitter Eddie as he licks his wounds over YET ANOTHER fight he couldn't make.

Take the damn step aside money!!!!!

If the DAZN deal with BT Sport comes off, it will be hard for Eddie Hearn to keep his seat at the top table. For years he promised record numbers of subscribers for DAZN, nearly four years later, we realise this was a massive and expensive failure. With a new regime at the helm, will Eddie have the trust of the new bosses?

What does it take to be a good trainer? So many people think they know, but it is so hard to know that only those on the inside get enough information to make a call. What we can say is that Ben Davison is one of the more high-profile. Is he the best? Does he deserve his seat at the table?

Happy New Year folks. We are back, better and stronger for 2022. The motto for this year is, Increase The Positivity!

Please make sure to follow Greg Hackett on Insta @greghackett86 - easily the funniest man on there. In this episode, we just talk boxing. We start off speaking about the Cuban system and move around from there. If you enjoy the show, please share it with people you truly love.

BEYOND BOXING EP72 - REVIEW OF THE BOXING YEAR PT.2 by Highfield Boxing

BEYOND BOXING EP71 - REVIEW OF THE BOXING YEAR PT.1 by Highfield Boxing

Saturday's show was poor by most people's standards. If this is how DAZN end the year then we are in a dark place as far as boxing goes. One bright pointfrom Saturday was Sandy Ryan and she goes on to demo

BEYOND BOXING EP69 - WHO IS THE LIGHTWEIGHT KING by Highfield Boxing

Remember to follow the social profiles -@highfieldboxing Redemption is a strange journey because the biggest battle is often with the demons within. Saturday saw Anthony Yarde battle his inner demons and overcome everything, to restore his reputation as one of the best Light-Heavyweights in the country and world right now. It is also time to reward Tunde for his effort in orchestrating the whole operation. He is much maligned, often for sinister reasons, but is easily one of the best trainers in the country right now, as he has been for a while.

BEYOND BOXING EP67 - TYSON, TOMMY, AND JOHN: THE FURIOUS THREE by Highfield Boxing

BEYOND BOXING EP66 - BOXXER PART 2 - WHAT AN EVENT by Highfield Boxing

What a great night. Cinderella finally had her ball. Dan Azeez is BRITISH CHAMPION. This has to be the definition of The People's Champion. We should celebrate the hard work and evolution of Dan Azeez - from power puncher into thinking boxer.

BEYOND BOXING EP64 - WILL SKY SAVE BRITISH BOXXING by Highfield Boxing

When you have a poor stable, you can't put on good fights. Sometimes you get lucky with a fight, but Eddie has had a weak stable for so long now that he cannot paper over the cracks. Right now, MTK have a stronger stable than Matchroom. Weak in the US and weak in the UK, which is why you'll see him in Spain and Australia more.

Are we watching AJ on the downside of his career? Nobody got faster at 32, or better timing at 32, or more powerful at 32. all the greats slowed down by 32 and AJ will be no different. It means that he will have to stand and trade with opponents from now on. Is he that sort of guy? Can Anthony Joshua do it? Only time will tell.

Make sure to follow the IG - @highfieldboxing When a 60-fight veteran fights a 20-fight novice what do you expect to happen? Skills will rarely overcome experience in the boxing ring. Being there and doing it is so important in this sport and Canelo is living proof of that

There was something off about Ellie Scotney's opponent on Saturday night. You cannot be definitive without further info, but you suspec there is some form of anabolic/androgenic issue involved. What saved Ellie was her skillset and workrate. Any lesser fighter might have suffered serious injury. We need answers, or at least, clarity.