Beyond Boxing

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

So, is Wallin better than we thought or is Fury who the haters thought? Maybe, we didn't get an answer, but we will definitely get answers from their next fights. It's exactly why we love boxing.

We know boxing is a loss making business, but it also has the stingiest fans going. So, where are all these billions coming from. This pod aims at explaining why the corporate sugar daddies are flocking to boxing as it is the last high-value slave market going. Obviously, that is a metaphor and not literal. As always, get in touch via Instagram or twitter @highfieldboxing

Boxers are workers who think they're bosses. The best boxers act like bosses and think like owners. The economics of boxing are so simple, draw money and get paid. But, so many get it wrong because they have the wrong people around them. Music - Cool Connnexion Hommes de L'Est Insta - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

Tevin bought into Uncle Eddie's Hype. Devin bought into Uncle Eddie's hype. Now both of them have nothing left, but each other and no receipt. So, what is next??? Music - Cool Connexion - Hommes de L'Est Insta - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

A quick round up of questions and topics shared by listeners. If you are on iTunes, please rate subscribe and review the podcast. Get in touch: Instagram - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

Today saw Dereck have a bit of a rant at the lack of respect he feels he receives. Luckily Joseph Parker wasn't there to face the fury. In typical Hearn style, where there's muck, there brass, so he was in full spin mode today. But, we have to ask, has the WBSS died a bit of a death?

I had to carry on episode 10 after promising so much and delivering so little. We finish up the KSI - Logan Paul fight, review Hughie and Charlie and speak about trainers. You suspect, there's something very wrong in British boxing that is masked over because we generate so much money.

KSII and Logan Paul.....yes, we are here now. Add in the slimy one and the picture is complete. Remember: Insta - @highfieldboxing Twitter - @highfieldboxing

We saw Lomachenko school another victim and we are left wondering when he will face a real challenger. None of it is his fault, but at some point we need to start judging his achievements based on who he has faced. Feel free to get in touch if you agree, or disagree. Twitter - @highfieldboxing Instagram - @highfieldboxing

This episode is about defending the thankless job of being a trainer, a role where you do most of the prep for the least money. No trainer wants to lose, and they do all they can to prevent it. Sometimes, there's just nothing you can do. However, what is beyond question is how much each and every trainer cares. As always, get in touch: twitter - @highfieldboxing instagram - @highfieldboxing

Well, the fight went differently to how many saw it. Was Yarde better, Kovalev worse? What now for Treadstone (System 9)? We discuss it all in this episode. Remember to like and share.

This episode covers potentially the biggest fight in British boxing this year, Yarde v Kovalev. We also cover AJ, and a few other questions. It is also the episode where @blessedwithwork learns that the podcasting gig isn't easy. She does well though. As always get in touch on Insta and Twitter - @highfieldboxing

We debate it a lot, it remains the hardest thing to do, but it is the most fun we have as boxing fans. We all love to pick out top 5s. Today, I name my top 5 heavyweights. Who are your top 5 heavyweights Send answers to: twitter - @highfieldboxing instagram - @highfieldboxing Theme music - Cool Connexion - Hommes de L'Est

For too long our trusted journalists have failed to hold the sport to account. There has been a conspiracy of secrecy and silence that renders certain podcasts meaningless. On this one, we show you what really goes on. As always, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @highfieldboxing Theme Song - Cool Connexion: Hommes de L'Est