Boxing Life Stories

Spencer Fearon shares his memories of James Cook MBE, who passed away last week. Fearon talks to Tris Dixon about their times together, prompting both laughter and sadness, reflects on his own career but it's the wonderful James Cook that features most in their conversation. https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/the-lucky-ones-got-to-know-james-cook James Cook MBE INTERVIEW – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/COMG9059667779 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most colorful of all boxing champions, Vinny Paz talks to Tris Dixon about his incredible life in boxing. He discusses the movie of his life, Bleed For This, with Miles Teller in the lead role, his famous feuds and big fights, going into detail to talk about his contests with Roberto Duran, Roy Jones, the late Greg Haugen, Dana Rosenblatt, and countless others. (This episode was recorded before Vinny was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and before the passing of his greta rival, Haugen). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barnsley super middleweight star Callum Simpson talks to Tris Dixon about the remarkable popularity that has seen him twice box at his hometown football stadium, his big rivals at 168, the likelihood of him moving up in weight and his sweet tooth. Simpson also discusses his journey from fighting on the small halls, building his fanbase and how it has grown since working with Sky Sports and Boxxer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Kelly talks to Tris Dixon about life in and out of the ring, and how he has changed his mindset from someone who had suffered with anxiety to someone who desperately wants to fight the best at 154lbs. Kelly talks about the best fighters in his division, his relationship with trainer Adam Booth, his relationship with golf, and how he has matured in recent years. Please give this podcast a rating and review if you enjoy it, share with others. I can be reached @trisdixon on instagram and X. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tris Dixon speaks to Lucas Roehrig, the undefeated cruiserweight prospect and recent Wasserman signing who is managed and trained by George Groves. Roehrig discusses his early development, learning the ropes in and out of the ring, sparring top 200-pounders like Chris Billam-Smith and Jai Opetaia, his hopes for the future, and whether he will ever fall out with his mentor, Groves, the way Rocky did with his starlet Tommy Gunn in Rocky V!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyrone Davis is a dangerous middleweight contender who is not high on the list for any of the champions to face. Having defeated unbeaten prospect Elijah Garcia last year, he takes on an unbeaten Cuban – Yoenlis Hernandez – this weekend. It is another tough fight, for a man who has done much of his work in Philadelphia. Davis, who has also fought the likes of David Benavidez, moving up in weight and facing him at short notice, could be just a win away from the title shot he craves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paddy Donovan suffered the first defeat of his career when he was disqualified in Belfast against Lewis Crocker in March. Donovan was heartbroken and distraught at the time. His team immediately filed for a rematch and the IBF granted it, meaning he will likely face Crocker again – probably back in Belfast in September – with the winner due to challenge Jaron Ennis. Donovan also talks to Tris Dixon about being part of one of the leading stables in boxing, with coach Andy Lee also working with Joseph Parker, Ben Whittaker and Hamzah Sheeraz. Read the full interview here https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/paddy-donovan-is-ready-to-write-a-new-ending-to-rivalry-with-lewis-crocker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caleb Plant boxes Jose Armando Resendiz this weekend in Las Vegas, with Jermall Charlo in a separate bout in the hope that they meet later this year. Plant is one of the most interesting characters in boxing today, principled, tough, he does not know how to take a backward step. The former super-middleweight champion talks to Tris Dixon about the rough upbringing that has made him, the losses he has suffered, and his hopes for the future. Read the full interview here https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/caleb-plant-if-i-ask-someone-to-leave-me-alone-its-not-a-request-its-a-demand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Light-heavyweight contender Matt Floyd is desperate for a big fight. The 15-1 (10 KOs) Australian has even chased down bouts with the likes of Tommy Fury and other influencers, having found his options restricted in Australia. That is, in part, because he has served prison time. As a child who was abused by pedophiles, Floyd made it his mission to hunt pedophiles and torture them. It resulted in him going to jail, but now he is looking for career opportunities and for a fighter – and promoter – to take a chance on him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former light heavyweight contender Mark Prince talks about his battles inside and out of the ring. As one of Britain's top fighters in the 1990s, he was involved in several wars on Sky Sports before getting his big chance in Germany against Dariusz Michalczewski. He then had an unlikely comeback, that was inspired by the tragic murder of his son, Kiyan, a budding footballer with Queens Park Rangers, Mark made is his life's work to make sure his son's name lives on, while trying to make sure that no parent has to suffer the same grief he has. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion Michael Moorer talks to Tris Dixon about his huge nights in the ring, against the likes of Evander Holyfield and George Foreman, but is also open about his struggles away from the ring. He talks about how tough life can be for a fighter away when he is not fighting, whether he is an active boxer suffering from the sport's politics or life after the final bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boxing historian George Zeleny has spent a lifetime in the sport. George has been on hand to see many of the greats travel to the UK, including Ali, Tyson and Liston, and he has seen the great and the good of British boxing in more than 50 years. Many leading British fight figures have confided in him over the years but, at heart, he remains a fan and his passion for the sport and the is clear all these years on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australian star Jason Moloney is a former world bantamweight champion who has become a darling in Japan and is one of the most-liked guys in the sport. You can see why, as he reflects on his decorated amateur and professional careers, his incredible relationship with his twin Andrew, making it big from Australia and the huge nights he's boxed on, from taking on Naoya Inoue in Las Vegas, to boxing inside the Tokyo Dome, and on huge bills at home. Jason says why he's not ready to retire just yet, what he still hopes to achieve and looks back on an incredible career structured around determination, ambition, willpower – and being immensely likeable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Boxing Life Stories hosts Kurt Emhoff, the first fight attorney that we've had on the show and Kurt is also a boxing manager. Kurt has been involved in the sport for more than two decades, and talks about some of his clients, some of his biggest cases, and some of the most significant talking points in the sport today, including lawsuits, the need for central governance in boxing and much more. He also has his own podcast, which I have recently been a guest on. Check out the Boxing Esq. podcast where you listen to your pods or visit https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-boxing-esq-podcast/id1308393655 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a hugely emotional podcast, light-heavyweight contender Jesse Hart talks about growing up in Philadelphia, as the son of local heavy-hitting legend Eugene "Cyclone" Hart, his road to becoming a top-ranked fighter, the current light-heavyweight landscape and his role in it – including the likes of Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, David Benavidez – and others, and his hopes for the future. But the podcast gets heavy as Jesse breaks down over the senseless murder of his brother in 2010, something he he still trying and struggling to comes to terms with, proving he is every inch as much a fighter out of the ring as he is inside it. I also talked to Jesse for this recent piece on grief in boxing https://www.boxingscene.com/boxing-grief-how-sport-saves-lost-souls--186853 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WE ARE BACK!!! This week, I'm delighted to have the colourful and controversial Victor Conte on the podcast. Conte works with many of the leading fighters in the world, including Terence Crawford, Bam Rodriguez, Devin Haney, Joshua Buatsi and he's recently linked up with Chris Eubank Jnr. Conte is very much an anti-doping advocate today, but he shot to infamy as the mastermind of the BALCO scandal in 2002, which saw him jailed for four months. Subsequently, much has been said and written about Conte, including the Netflix Untold special, Hall of Shame, but here he has his say on what he has done, what he is doing, his portrayal in the media, his detractors, his regrets, and PEDs in the sport of boxing. This is unmissable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Welsh Dragon, Joe Calzaghe, one of the great fighters of the modern era and one of the finest ever fighters from Britain, reflects on his incredible Hall of Fame career, and Calzaghe brings the curtain down on Boxing Life Stories. For now. Joe talks about his dad's tea – with lumpy milk – that raised the eyebrows of the travelling HBO crew, why Joe 'The Cat' Calzaghe never happened, how nervous he was for Strictly Come Dancing, life as an introvert, the loss of his parents and his legacy. He talks about the challenges that sportsmen face in retirement and becoming a father again, to another son, called Enzo. Intro – 0.00-4.08 Calzaghe interview – 4.08-1.39.02 Closing thoughts – 1.39.02-1.45.41 Reflections on Boxing Life Stories with Lee Blasdale (Hanson Lee Resourcing) and Derek Andrews (Delco Safety Compliance) 1.45.42-2.49.10 Sign off – 2.49.10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Irish amateur standout Eric Donovan was close to boxing at the London Olympics in 2012 but instead was headed to rehab. Now, following a long journey into recovery, Donovan is a retired professional with an incredible story to tell. Donovan is a father, counsellor, trainer and husband, and he is the voice of wisdom and an engaging talker, whose incredible story – which, in professional boxing terms went against the grain and ended on a high – is about a man who is likely going to inspire future generations of Irish fighters. The 10th round Eric refers to in this podcast against El Hadri – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMoRVMQg4vE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former European champion and world title contender Jim McDonnell talks about the big fights, against the likes of Azumah Nelson, Barry McGuigan and Brian Mitchell, the devastating knockout loss to Kenny Vice, being part of the famous Royal Oak stable and becoming a top trainer, working with the likes of James DeGale and Danny Williams. Jimmy Mac, as he known in boxing, was a ferocious trainer, and he talks about his drive, wanting to be like Alan Ball on the football pitch, running sub-three hour marathons, his rise up through the ranks and why the final loss of his career, which came in Slovakia and against the advice of the British Boxing Board of Control, was one of the best things he has ever done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Sweet D' Derek Williams reflects on an incredible career that saw him win Commonwealth and European titles, while fighting the likes of Lennox Lewis, Bert Cooper, Jose Ribalta, David Bey, Hughroy Currie and Jimmy Thunder. Williams also travelled the US, taking dangerous fights and sparring some of the biggest names, including Gerry Cooney and Mike Tyson. Now a columnist for Boxing News, Williams also looks after the youth in London, helping them by allowing them to benefit from his amazing experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former heavyweight champion boxed a who's who of stars, from Mike Tyson to Vitali Klitschko and John Ruiz to Zejko Mavrovic, London's Francis was either linked to fighting them (George Foreman in Vegas, Herbie Hide and David Tua), sparred them or he boxed them. His colourful life saw him grow up in foster care before serving several spells in prison and living life on the wrong side of the tracks. But boxing steered him away from that, and this story charts his incredible journey, his life in and out of the ring, boxing in a Russian circus, the current heavyweight scene and that infamous Boxpark knockout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the leading promoters of all-time, Top Rank boss Bob Arum talks about the big fights, the big names and much more as he reflects on his incredible career in boxing. Arum recalls the big nights of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, the Four Kings era of Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns, his time with Manny Pacquiao and much more. Arum discusses meeting his wife, Lovee, their first date, losing his son, John, in a tragic accident, how he feels promoting a sport that takes so much physically from the athletes and how he feels about his arch-rival Don King today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hall of Famer from the Virgin Islands, Julian Jackson is undoubtedly one of the biggest punchers the sport has seen. Jackson knocked out 49 of 55 opponents, creating one of the sport's great highlight reels along the way. He was a Don King stalwart, but some of the big fights Jackson wanted, against the likes of Roy Jones and James Toney, failed to materialise, but Jackson had two violent battles with Gerald McClellan, a shootout with Mike McCallum, annihilated Buster Drayton, Dennis Milton, Terry Norris and infamously blew Herol Graham away with a shocking knockout when behind on the cards and blinded in one eye. Jackson talks about his journey, which was shaped by an alcoholic mother, to being a father, growing up rough, missing out on the boycotted Olympics of 1980 and his sensational ride through the sport and into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Cardle was a mainstay of the Team GB amateur programme who fought some of the best amateurs in the world and trained alongside two crops of Olympians. He turned pro with high hopes, trained with Joe Gallagher but admits things changed for him after being pushed in British title fights by Sean Dodd. Here, in a frank, candid and at times funny interview, Scott recalls stories from the amateurs, the Gallagher training camps at the Wild Card, how and when things went wrong, his pride in his successes and his perspective on his life and career now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Champagne' Charlie Magri was one of the most decorated amateurs produced in the UK, and he went on to win the WBC flyweight title as a professional. The East End hero, who was born in Tunisia, was a four-time ABA champion who boxed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, travelling there as favourite to claim gold. Here, Magri talks about life in the East End, from the Krays to the hardmen of the area, the likes of Terry Lawless, Mickey Duff, Frank Warren and Jimmy Tibbs and the best and worst times of his career. In retirement, Magri ran a pub, owned a sports shop and trained fighters, having left his mark as one of Britain's most-popular sportsmen from the 1980s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former welterweight world champion talks about not retiring, his aid work in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquakes and why he put his career on hold to help, fighting Floyd Mayweather and how he coped with his first loss (not very well). Andre Berto was Al Haymon's first fighter that the future Hall of Fame promoter brought through, though Haymon had already worked with Vernon Forrest and Jermain Taylor, and Berto has had a fine career, boxing the likes of Victor Ortiz, Shawn Porter, Robert Guerrero, Juan Urango and many more. Berto was in fine form, talking about highs and lows with real warmth and honesty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hasim 'The Rock' Rahman shocked the world when he knocked out Lennox Lewis to become the lineal world heavyweight champion. His name was etched in the history books alongside the likes of Johnson, Luis, Marciano, Ali and Holmes as The Man who beat The Man, before he lost the crown back to Lewis in a rematch. Rahman had a long, decorated career with plenty of incident packed in. Having survived shootings on the streets of Baltimore, his life hit a crossroads and he focused on boxing. He would go on to fight David Tua, Oleg Maskaev, Lewis twice, John Ruiz, Wladimir Klistchko, James Toney, Corrie Sanders and many more in his career that spanned 50 wins, nine losses with two draws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recently described at The Godfather of PED testing in boxing, Dr Flip Homansky was a physician on the Nevada State Athletic Commission for some of the biggest fights in history. Dr Homansky also served on the NSAC Medical Advisory Board Chairman having worked at the Chief Ringside Physician for almost three decades. He is the former Association of Boxing Commissions vice-president and current vice-president of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Fascinatingly, he allowed Evander Holyfield to box on against Mike Tyson in the infamous Bite Fite (from a medical perspective), he was there for the Fan Man incident when Bowe fought Holyfield, and he's seen fighters at their best and worst over the years. He's been in the locker rooms with the likes of Tommy Morrison and Marvin Hagler and he is one of the sport's most-respected voices. It has been said: "There is probably no one in the world with more medical experience as it relates to boxing." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former world light-heavyweight contender boxed a who's who of the best of his era, whether it was in sparring or in the ring. Harmon fought a peak Roy Jones. Dariusz Michalszewski, Tim Liitles, Montell Griffin and O'Neil Bell up at cruiserweight. Derrick grew up in foster care, has suffered unimaginable loss but retains an inspiring and positive outlook. Now he works as the right hand man to Bob Arum, operating as a shadow wherever the Hall of Fame promoter goes having formed an unlikely bond with a boxing icon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Speight set off on his pro journey with high hopes, but later became a proud journeyman as he navigated his way through 61 professional fights. He boxed champions and contenders including Josh Warrington, Joe Cordina, Issac Lowe, Gavin McDonnell and Jason Cunningham during a fascinating career and transition from prospect to journeyman before reading my book Damage caused him to stop fighting. However, outside the ring Jamie has had it hard. He and his partner went through years of IVF treatment trying to have a baby, his sister was seriously sexually assaulted and he's had a tenuous relationship with his mother. Here, Speight talks about his. mental health battles, struggling through lockdown and why he made the decision to retire when he did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australian star Barry Michael was a world super-featherweight champion who has one of the best stories in boxing. He won the title in a war with Melbourne rival Lester Ellis, a former student of Michael's and future friend but at the time there was a real feud. The story of that fight alone is incredible. Then there were fights on the road, in Africa, Indonesia, the UK and in Hawaii, rumoured bouts with the likes of Azumah Nelson, Barry McGuigan, Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and fellow Australian Jeff Fenech, but they failed to materialise. Barry is a well-renowned broadcaster, these days, but he refers back to the Melbourne criminal underworld that was heavily involved with boxing back in the 1980s, and a violent fight with a gangster and his henchmen that, in short, spelt the end of Michael's career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Usually, Evan Korn is the man teeing up the interviews. The Top Rank publicist talks here about his journey into the promotional powerhouse from fight fan, to sports journalist to finally making the move out to Las Vegas. Korn, an endurance runner in his spare time, discusses trying to break into the business, the changing face of boxing journalism, his job interview with Bob Arum, working on a night when there's a tragedy in the ring, his time with superstars like Tyson Fury, Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson, his future and 'the other side of the street' in boxing terms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo discusses his journey through boxing and life. A former sprinter, Larry got in to trouble, went to prison and then embarked on a career as a professional boxer. Not long into his career, he fell victim to Operation Raw Deal and was caught up in a steroid scandal, admitted 13 offences throughout his career and was banned. He came back, but settled for life as an opponent in the blue corner and then faded away, only to re-emerge as an actor. Larry remains outspoken about PED use in boxing, how he thinks it should be regulated and how prevalent it is, lifting the lid on the dark side of the sport that many hope is not real, or not as bad as they fear it could be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former HBO broadcaster and International Boxing Hall of Famer takes a look back on his hugely successful career behind the mic. Lampley is one of the all-time great voices of boxing, someone who has fought for the fighters, told their stories and been the soundtrack to many of the greatest fights of all time. Here, he looks back on the nights he helped define, whether it was Buster Douglas stunning Mike Tyson, or his friend George Foreman rewriting history against Michael Moorer, Jim is filled with the articulate knowledge and emotion and that makes him one of the greats. Listen for your opportunity to win a Roots of Fight KRONK bundle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Augie Sanchez was the last American to beat Floyd Mayweather. In the amateurs, before losing out in the 1996 Olympic box-offs, Sanchez also defeated the late Diego Corrales and was one of the finest amateurs in the country. In the pros, and after signing for Top Rank, he and Mayweather appeared to be on a collision course but it never happened. Instead, he boxed the likes of Naseem Hamed, Jorge Paez, Daniel Jimenez and Luisito Espinosa. Augie retired young and after just 28 fights. He is now a popular and highly-regarded trainer in Las Vegas, where he lives with his childhood sweetheart, Dawn, and their children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman had one of the best educations in the sport, being around Hall of Famers like Irving Rudd, Teddy Brenner and Bruce Trampler as a teenager. His life in boxing continues more than 40 years on, and he was recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and he proposed to his girlfriend during his induction speech. There are always interesting chats, with real industry insiders and boxing lifers, and Brad has worked with almost all of the major names in the sport, going back to his first live fight when he saw Muhammad Ali fight Earnie Shavers at Madison Square Garden in 1977. Talking of The Garden, I've partnered with Roots of Fight, and listen to the episode to win a pair of Roots of Fight, Fight of the Century jogging bottoms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coach Kenny Adams has reportedly worked with 26 world champions, 34 Olympians and 56 fighters who went on to achieve a world crown. Adams is also a Vietnam veteran, and as part of the US Olympic set up in 1984 and 1988, he coached the likes of Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker, Virgill Hill, Roy Jones, Ray Mercer and Michael Carbajal. In the pro ranks, he declined the opportunity to work with Floyd Mayweather but did train the likes of Diego Corrales, Edwin Valero, Vince Phillips, Kennedy McKinney, Samuel Peter, Johnny Tapia, Michael Nunn and may more. I've also partnered with Roots of Fight. Listen to this podcast to win a new RoF T-shirt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse Reid is one of the most successful trainers of all time and has worked with between 20 and 30 world champions. He coached the brilliant Orlando Canizales from the ground up, and he has trained the likes of Roger Mayweather, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jesse Burnett, Hector Camacho and countless others. He's also worked with some of boxing's most troubled minds, including Bruce Curry, Johnny Tapia and Paul Spadafora. Reid remains close to Spadafora to this day. He lost his fighting son, Jesse, to alcoholism and he has tried to help many fighters across the tightrope of addiction. Jesse turned down the chance to train Mike Tyson, was the lead voice in the infamous Paul Spadafora-Floyd Mayweather spar and has been one of the most-respected voices in sport for more than 50 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tris and Johnny sit-down to reflect on moments of Nelson's extraordinary career as a long-reigning WBO cruiserweight champion but they also discuss the use of PEDs in the sport, similarities and differences between the Ingle way and Ukrainian methodology, when the right time to retire is, how to cope with retirement, taking flying lessons, Kell Brook, Anthony Joshua and, of course, life lessons of the late, great Brendan Ingle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kieran Mulvaney is one of the most interesting men in boxing journalism. Born in the UK, he has worked for America's big three – ESPN, Showtime and HBO – but he's also written books about polar bears and stories about climate change, killer whales trying to sink boats, the Wild West and much more. Mulvaney has had bylines in the Washington Post and National Geographic, as well as Boxing News, and here he talks about the sadness behind the last night HBO televised boxing, some of his favourite characters in the sport, his broadcast colleagues and his own very unique start and journey through boxing. Kieran also co-hosts the Showtime Boxing podcast with Eric Raskin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2023 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Timothy Bradley had an excellent career that saw him win 33 fights, lose just two and draw once in his 37 bouts. Of course, there was a trilogy with Manny Pacquiao, the Fight of the Year with Russian Provodnikov, victory over the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios, Joel Casamayor, Devon Alexander, Lamont Peterson and Kendall Holt before he retired and became one of the sport's best analysts for ESPN. He won his first world title in England, against Junior Witter, but he had always had his eyes on the Hall of Fame. This is Bradley's own story, from growing up tough in Palm Springs, to having his heart broken in the Olympic trials and becoming a pariah for his win over Pacquiao to becoming Hall of Famer and resounding boxing good guy with universal respect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom does not court attention and it is not often he talks about his background and his start in the sport. Here, the Sky Sports promoter discusses both, his aspirations and motivations, the media and social media landscape in boxing, his stable of fighters and his deal with Sky and much more. Ben talks about the struggle, how he was down to his last £17,000 in the company account when the UFC came calling with a lawsuit he called "heavy" and how he is now in a position to sign marquee fighters, pros, Olympians and star amateurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For five decades, Lawrence Lustig has been a regular at ringside as a photographer. Initially he worked for agencies, then the Daily Star newspaper, then he became a Matchroom stalwart and now he is at Boxxer. He and Charlie Magri were one another's best men, and here Lawrence talks about the art of being a boxing photographer, the truth behind the Bentt-Hide press conference brawl, his role in bringing Lennox Lewis to the UK after the Olympics, the break up of The Cartel, taking photos at tragic fights and much more. This interview flew by. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Articulate former heavyweight contender Malik Scott now coaches former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. The two fought as pros and were sparring partners but now Scott heads the camp. Here, Malik looks back on his own life and career, growing up in Philadelphia, fighting to look after his half-brother, the tough breaks of trying to make it to the 2000 Olympics and the pro career that took him to 32-0. However, a four-year absence where Malik struggled away from the ring saw him return as a contender with mixed fortunes, as he met the likes of Tony Thompson, Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder and others. Now a coach who is thirsty for knowledge and to improve other boxers, Scott is recognised as one of the sport's bright minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most famous boxing broadcasters of all time, the Colonel has been ringside at some of the biggest fights in history and has got to know many of the sport's biggest names. As the man tasked with providing the words to go with the international feed of Don King fights, Sheridan talks about his decades working with King, covering fights from Zaire to Tokyo, the controversies, the great nights, the big names but he also reveals another side. This is the first podcast where the former rodeo bull rider gets to right the 14 wrongs on his Wikipedia page and explains how you can tell if a cow is pregnant and what you need to feel for. It's the first time in more than 220 episodes that has been discussed in Boxing Life Stories! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boxing writer Elliot Worsell is one of the best scribes in the sport. He first freelanced for websites at the age of 16, was published in Boxing News at 17 and authored his first book at 22. As well as working in PR for Hayemaker, he had a spell working with UFC fighters and his second book, Dog Rounds, became one of the most highly-acclaimed books in modern boxing. Here, Worsell discusses his journey to finally joining the Boxing News staff in 2018, his books, his thoughts on the sport and the type of 'journalism' it has opened itself up to, his thirst for knowledge and never-ending quest for improvement and how reading and writing have allowed him to maintain sanity through some of the darker episodes of his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Journeyman Lewis van Poetsch racked up an extraordinary 170 professional fights before walking away with a win in his final contest this year. 'Poochi' spent a decade taking late calls, saving shows and working out of the away corner, fighting top prospects and stars alike, and often making sure they had their hands full. He is also an army veteran, having served in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, he's also worked as a barber and a lorry driver and now, staying in boxing, he is being trained to become a referee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born in Birmingham but now living in Los Angeles, Rachel Charles has become one of boxing's most popular publicists. She started working for Dan Goossen, thanks to James Toney, and her impressive list of clients includes Buddy McGirt, Andre Ward, Paul Williams, Golden Boy Promotions, Zab Judah and many more. But Rachel has not had it easy. She was abused when she was young, but now finds common ground with fighters who have suffered from trauma. She was inspired by the likes of Debbie Caplan and Jackie Kallen in the business side of boxing, made history as the first woman to work with a Saudi Arabian fighter and after more than 20 years in the sport explains why she can't get it out of her blood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having recently moved up in weight to challenge Lyndon Arthur at barely a day's notice, Boris Crighton discusses the importance of staying in shape, waiting of rthe phone call that might change his life. A personal trainer and CrossFitter who does hot yoga and watches his nutrition, sleep and recovery, Crighton lives like a pro should. Here, 'The Blade' talks about his time moving to Aberdeen from Cameroon, his amateur pedigree, the trials and tribulations of being a pro north of of the border and his hopes for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bournemouth's Lee Cutler has won a Southern Area title but he wants more. He has also sparred some of the biggest names in British boxing, has toiled in the small halls, coped with his first loss, changed his mindset towards boxing over the years and is now riding the crest of a wave as the sport goes to new heights on the South Coast. A friend of cruiserweight contender and former Boxing Life Stories guest Chris Billam-Smith, Lee talks about the Bournemouth boom, his start in the sport, the lessons he has learned and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices