Beyond Boxing

Denzel Bentley is a man that believes in his own ability, his team and his dream. It isn't boastful, it isn't arrogant. It is just deeply held belief. In boxing, He found a vehicle that lets him express that innate drive to succeed by whatever means necessary. As measured as he was in the interview, he still held nothing back. All his domestic rivals are now on notice - no excuses - and 2020 will be the year this young man breaks out as a star in his own right. Please, do follow him via social media and show support: Instagram - 2sharp_d Twitter - 2sharp_d Also, can everyone respect the real need to remain isolated and respect the risks posed to the elderly and vulnerable. It can be frustrating, but let us think of others at a time like this. There are plenty of episodes here to keep you busy and entertained.

Donnall Smith is one of the best up and coming trainers out there. He is one of the smarter ones, using his time at the Matchroom Gym to learn his trade the right way. In this interview, he shares his story and his views on a few topics in boxing. Please follow him: Instagram - @boxerdon Twitter - @DonnallSmith

We had to do a reunion episode at some point, so we hit the off licence, sent Johnny Fleshlight to UKAD for some unscastrated boar, and just slipped into the old slippers. Audio is a bit rickety, but these are tough times, so we have to take what we can - like toilet paper.As always, like share and let us know what you think.

Donnall Smith is one of the best up and coming trainers out there. He is one of the smarter ones, using his time at the Matchroom Gym to learn his trade the right way. In this interview, he shares his story and his views on a few topics in boxing. Please follow him: Instagram - @boxerdon Twitter - @DonnallSmith

We are all getting cabin fever. Some of us have loo roll, some of us have coffee, some of us have both. Luckily, I have cider - Weston's - a drink to relax the mid. This episode is just me commenting on what the folks in boxing are saying. There's not much going on. But, there are a few Hearn misdirections, as always. But...I do like the guy deep down.

We are all struggling to fill our time as sports fans, so here is a podcast that does exactly that, fills time. Stay safe in these uncertain times people....

Today, we rank the best heavyweights on earth. Some will agree and some will disagree, but it's a good debate. We also discuss how bad Jay Deas was as a trainer. Mark Breland deserves a lot of respect for being a real BMF in that fight and doing the right thing. Finally, we talk about the car crash that is March 28th.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Well...heavy is the man that wins the crown. Fury was masterful, showed that there is no substitute for experience, and that power is only good if it lands. The man sent a message out to the boxing world on Saturday - work on your skills and you can do anything. Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

Ares, always hot tempered and eager to fight, was worshiped by militaristic cults and city states, while on the other hand, Athena was revered as a goddess of protection and strategy. Between the violent temper of Ares and the intelligent cunning of Athena, worshipers of these Gods would think low of their rival. While followers of the cult of Ares viewed Athenians as weak, cowardly children, Athenians would think of Ares' followers as ignorant, hotheaded lowlifes. Not soon after Athena's awkward birth, (emerging from the skull of Zeus), Ares found his new sister a nuisance, a challenge to his place on Olympus as the God of war, and murder. The intelligent strategy which Athena gave to Greeks threatened Ares' success in warfare, and his uncivilized manners would result in proper Greek society disowning him over time. We walk into Saturday about to witness our own equivalent of the battle for Olympus between two Boxing gods, but who will prevail?

Ellie Scotney are two boxers with different stories, but with a shred desire to make 2020 the year boxing takes notice. Being involved in boxing for a number of years, these are the stories that make the effort worthwhile. Both boxers have a great opportunity to build a truly great legacy for themselves. The journey starts now... Ellie Scotney - @elliescotney_ Isaac chamberlain - @chamberlain_

Tough little northern boxer leaves real cockney boxing promoter for fake boxing promoter. Makes no sense for anyone, but maybe it does make 100% sense.... Instagram - @highfieldboxing twitter - @highfieldboxing

In our first ever return, Philadelphia’s own Greg Hackett @greghackett86 is back to give his frank and honest views on some of the topics in boxing today. We didn’t cover everything because there’ll be a part 3 soon – promise. If you didn’t hear the first interview, please find it as episode 29. Make sure you follow Greg on Facebook and Instagram for his serious and often amusing take on life and boxing.

When friends fight, it should be for the largest purse possible. A lot is on the line in these situations. You can only hope MTK know what they are doing here or they risk damaging one very gifted boxer at the expense of another. Changing trainers is often the easy way out, a way to deny your own failings. Sometimes, it is needed…you get to correct the error in selecting the trainer. But, in the case of Josh Taylor and even Anthony Fowler, only time will tell. We need to know, does Fury still believe he is unbeatable? He will need to in order to beat the Bronze Bomber. As always guys, please feel free to follow: Instagram - @highfielboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

Most boxing fans agree that 2017 was a special year. Why? That is harder to say. It may have been the quality of fights. On the other hand, it could have been the scale of the events. Whichever way you look at it, 2017 gave every boxing fan what they wanted. It also scared the life out of every promoter as they watched profit drain away through the sheer volume of great fights on free-to-air television. Instead of embracing this bold new era, we have seen boxing retreat to it old ways. Fights are drawn out now, most quality content is behind a paywall now and now people pretend to be more popular than they are. Not sure what the future holds, but we are on a slippery slope to irrelevance if we carry on as we are. As always guys, please feel free to follow: Instagram - @highfielboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

HAPPY NEEW YEAR!!!!! Pod-rust is real. That feeling of not quite being on the ball? I think I have it. This episode hopefully sees me shake it off and come into 2020 stronger. This is just a warm up episode and in it we cover two topics: The tragic case of Liam Cameron and how it has created a two-tier doping framework depending on how much money you have and A quick look at DAZN and whether it has a hope of succeeding. In all honesty, it should succeed. It has raised the bar in boxing coverage and forced the market to step up. But, to really nail it, maybe they need more boxing people to shape the direction and connect to a newer and younger audience. Enjoy and if you like the content, please like and share it.

Terence Crawford is the most gifted Welterweight out there, but not the best. To be the best you need to face the best. Will we get the big fights in 2020? Can he and bob Arum make it happen? Teofimo Lopez...WOW!!! Instagram @highfieldboxing Twitter @highfieldboxing

A long time ago, I left a boxing club, for whatever reasons. Wehn I made that choice. a handful of guys (maybe a bit more) also decided to leave. One of the first was Jonathan Palata. His exact words were, "if you're not here, I'm not here." If you know boxing well enough, you'll understand that sort of loyalty is rare. It means we are bonded for life now. Win lose or draw, I will always stand behind him, because he stands behind me. It also means that, when he does encounter bumps in the road, i will carry some of the accountability. I am okay with that. It is the price you pay for loyalty. If only, more people in boxing had that sense of loyalty.

Boxing needs Anthony Joshua. The economics of the sport need that marquee name, like Hulk Hogan in the 1980s. People like to work with people that draw money. AJ draws money. Now...Andy Ruiz? Not the same kettle of fish and the last 6 months proved that.

i admit...I was wrong. Team AJ might be the strongest unit in boxing. Instagram @highfieldboxing Twitter @highfieldboxing

This Saturday, we will find out who really put the work in over the last three months. A lot of games are underway between both camps and with the fans, so we all want to know....who wins? We won't know until that first bell rings, but looking at the last few weeks, Ruiz has done some things that are either genius or folly. Only history will determine which is which. Lets hope for as much drama as we had in the first fight.

I'm okay with UKAD dropping the case. You should be too.

This was the weekend where a lot of good talented became good professionals. Nothing beats a good solid apprenticeship and this podcast shines light on a few guys doing this thing the right way. Enjoy...

It's fight week, spin and misdirection everywhere. If you believe the hype this fight is between two undefeated champions. If you believe the hype, there are no drug cheats on this card. I am sure it will only get sillier. Instagram @highfieldboxing Twitter @highfieldboxing

Here's a young man that's crammed a whole career worth of stories into a youthful 25 years. One thing Isaac Chamberlain has in abundance is resilience. Nothing will stop him achieving his goals and his ability to create positives from negatives is a lesson to us all. Enjoy the podcast, one man sharing his career with you, and hopefully it adds another dimension to the real People's Champion.

We are 10 days away from the moment of truth. Where we find out of a manufactured boxer can beat a well-schooled boxer. Was Ruiz just lucky or was all he needed a chance? Has Joshua done enough? Has he exorcised the demons? Are we in store for a great rebound or is this just another step down for Joshua? Truth is, we just don't know.

It is hard to understand how two brothers of average ability managed to get so many fights at home. People tried to liken them to The Beatles, they're probably more like Atomic Kitten.

When you have the biggest guns and the biggest bombs, you don't need to rush. Deontay Wilder gave Luis Ortiz a 6-round head start and it didn't help him. It has to be scary that there is a man that can stop anybody he connects with. I don't think anybody is looking forward to fighting him. How do you figure out how something works when they burned the operating manual?

The biggest battle Anthony Joshua will face is silencing the voices and the images that remind him that, at the highest level, he was dismantled. It's not fatal to his chances, but he does risk a relapse if he isn't right mentally. His camp so far, offers no sign of his road to redemption, but we can only hope he is the man that can do the same thing and get a different outcome.

It's 24.95. Pay it, or don't pay it, but complaining isn't what teaches them a lesson. Just keep hold your money.

90% of the YouTube views were bought, like the twitter likes and the twitter followers. Hearn cheating and lying to the fans again. Think back to the coverage of KSI v Logan Paul. It was strange that most of the people doing the coverage were over 35, for a show that was aimed at children and teenagers. Why? Maybe the mission here was to sell this as a mega event for the boxing fans by making them believe they were getting left behind if they weren't getting on board. It was also the latest attempt by Hearn to kill the hardcores - the only people that see through this.

It started out as a casual catch up call.... It ended up being a hell of an insight into how the journey to the top in boxing rarely runs smooth. Umar Sadiq - The Top Boxer - is not one to follow the heard and in this podcast you get a chance to share in his journey over the last year, which has definitely been transformative. He is definitely one of the boxers you should follow if you want to see the travails of an often brutal sport in full HD. Follow him on: Instagram - @topboxersadiq Twitter - @topboxersadiq P.S. forgive the audio in places, we had no time for a soundcheck.

Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing Canelo became a walking P4P list this past weekend in stopping Kovalev. Is he an all-time great? Definitely. Will we see Eddie Hearn start hitching every one of his fighters to hi list? Definitely? Does anyone care about KSI-Logan Paul? God no!

We can't let the deaths of Patrick Day, Maxim Dadashev and others happen without boxing making the required changes to drive fighter safety. The solution isn't simple, nor will it be easy in the short-term, but the right thing for the sport to do is to look at what is really increasing the risk profile. It would not be a coincidence if PEDs were a factor in this, but that would be one of many. RIP to all the fallen warriors.

Nigel Benn will always be a British boxing great. Here is a man that shared his soul with the fans. Through him, we got to be the warrior we all imagine that we are. Today, Nigel became mortal like all of us. His body just couldn't muster that one final stand. But, he has shown that his spirit remains superhuman. Happy retirement Nigel.

Britain rare produces boxers that can dominate at world level. We need clever matchmaking, vacant belts etc. In Josh Taylor, we have a boxer developed despite the system. A man that is self-made and in doing that, became one of the best in the world. His fight with Prograis will live long in the memory as a coronation of sorts and a reminder that tough environments make tough people. Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

So, two men who are the best in their countries will fight each other to find out who gets to box Mikey Garcia and Jose Ramirez. Knowing Hearn, it will be Ricky Burns. What is all the fuss about?

Instagram - @highfieldboxing @twitter - @highfieldboxing You feel for Ted Cheesman, a kid who has done it all the right way from day one. Boxing is a cruel sport at times, and you wonder when and how Ted will get a break. Having said that, you have to wonder why Hearn has issues with self-made boxers. How many kids have put the work in, only to be ignored by Eddie Hearn.

Instagram: @greghackett86 - a man worth the follow. Greg Hackett is one of the best young boxing minds out there. He makes you wonder how the UK hasn't figured out the finer points of boxing yet. In this podcast, we discuss his career to date, his inside views on the fighters that have, and will, put Philly on the map. The podcast covers everything and there's probably a gem in every minute of this one. Please listen, enjoy and share, you get a rare insight in this podcast....

John Skipper is the headmaster that loves watching his star pupil make a spectacle of himself, only to correct him afterwards. He leaves no doubt who the boss is and as boxing fans we should always listen to the man that moves in silence. Instagram @highfieldboxing Twitter @highfieldboxing

You beat an anonymous, but slightly aggressive Swede, get a cut and end up on the shelf. What do you do. You go and find an ex-strongman who pretends to beat people up for a living and talk to his boss about doing a bit of work experience. But...part of that experience is going to a country where homosexuals are outlawed, women have limited roles and belief in God is everything. Some people class that as hell, Fury might class it as home.

Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing As Brits, we love a good moan, what we don't love is dishing out hidings to our amateur opponents. If we don't learn in time for 2020 there'll be a lot of talented boxers looking for work or education. We can't always blame the judges when the system is rotten.

Instagram @highfieldboxing Twitter@highfieldboxing Two kids get bored of real life, play video games and make silly videos on Vine and YouTube...AND MAKE MILLIONS. Other kids that don't get out much watch them and fall in love. Life is good, then they decide they don't like each other. Woman online says, 'real men settle it with their fists.' Both agree to do it. Introverted kids finally go out to see their heroes. Boxing promoter gets scared that they will become him, so steals their thunder......and now we are here. How Sway???

INSTAGRAM - @highfieldboxing TWITTER - @highfieldboxing So, an old man from Eastern Europe fights a young man from Eastern Europe and a load of Americans and Brits lose their mind over the result. Somewhere in the Mid-west a young American kid gets another good win on a card that no Americans took notice of. Boxing is a strange sport, but we love it.

Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing Is Ohara Davies the smaryest man in the room? He just might be....

Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing It all looks a bit strange over at the WBSS. What is really going on and can it ever achieve on its original aims of being, where we had the best fight the best? Charlie Edwards vacates - talk about preservation of life. Derek has no dance partner, but won't reschedule the performance. Will we get a solo? James Ali Bashir messes with a T-Rex, with bloody consequences.

Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing Frank and Eddie exist for 2 different purposes. It is unfair to compare them, but people do, and people choose sides. Do I choose sides? Today you find out.

Instagram - @highfieldboxing twitter - @highfieldboxing It is rare in boxing that we get a PPV event where the fight has real meaning. Spence-Porter was that fight and it didn't disappoint. Fights like this are what will grow boxing as a sport and silence the MMA crowd. Maybe it is time that Kell Brook gets his respect for handling Porter with the most ease/

Today we look at how lucrative boxing is. Instagram can be deceiving. It will have you think that boxing is a money tree from which, everyone gets rich. The truth is a lot more painful. It is a sport where the few, and often the same few, make the majority of money. If you understand how the money works in boxing, you understand why people behave the way they do.

This is a quick round-up of a slow news week in boxing. It's the week where we saw the Dark Destroyer announce a return, Eddie Hearn host a public workout that only people with microphones attended and somebody found Kell Brook...somewhere. Hope you enjoy and please stay in touch: twitter - @highfieldboxing instagram - @highfieldboxing

We go back to 2008 and look at the GB squad and ask, why did some amateurs adapt to the pros better. 2008 was easily the most talented generation since 1976, bit for various reasons, we never got a hall of fame boxer out of that group. Why do some people crack the pros and others don't? We answer that today. Please get in touch and let us know what you think. Insta - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing