Boxing Life Stories

The Filipino Flash, Nonito Donaire, is in fine and revealing form as he's interviewed by Tris Dixon in Las Vegas. Donaire is 36 and set for his semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series but he has had a storied career, having fought the likes of Darchinyan, Montiel, Rigondeaux, Frampton, Burnett, Walters, Arce and many more. Here, he talks about his battles with mental health, how he now maintains his positive mindset, being one of the sport's good guys, his major fights and turmoil behind the scenes in a hard-hitting and wide-ranging interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Tibbs is a British boxing icon. A former fighter, he made his name as one of the great trainers, working the corner of notables including Michael Watson, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan, Mark Kaylor, Charlie Magri and countless others. But his life away from the ring has been equally interesting. After a long prison sentence for settling a gangland family feud, he turned to training, became a born again Christian, battled cancer and he still works in the corner as a cutsman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The irrepressible former heavyweight champion Shannon 'The Cannon' Briggs – Let's Go Champ – is in brilliant form talking about his time at the top and the harder times on the bottom. He talks of the rivals he faced, the contenders of the time and the great heavyweight champions while explaining how he has maintained a positive outlook on life and the fresh start that he made with the birth of his daughter. Still hoping for big things, he talks about the big nights, the disappointments, stalking Klitschko, fighting Foreman, challenging Lewis and much more in a roller coaster that takes you from the highs of championship glory to the emptiness of defeat and beyond. A drinker at 13, homeless, fighting top amateurs and then trying to make his mark in the pros, it's all here, raw and uncut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a heavy defeat to big punching Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO cruiserweight title, Mark Hobson's life started to spiral out of control. The former British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion flew spectacularly off the rails, formed addictions and was gambling thousands of pounds without realising that he had fallen into a trap. Before long, his life, his future, everything, was down to one bet on one game of rugby... The stakes couldn't have been any higher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's long-serving boxing journalist Dan Rafael is one of the sport's most influential men. With a huge audience, a massive social media following and the experience of hundreds of championship fights behind him, he's covered the major names in the sport from Mayweather to Tyson, from Gatti to Pacquiao and from Jones to Lewis. He's also a brilliant storyteller and while he may divide opinion he has done a lot, from cutting his teeth on his local paper, to getting his big break with USA Today to now being in the hot seat at ESPN. Opinionated and good company, Dan also gives good advice on how to break into the business as a boxing writer from one of the best spots in the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call him a journeyman, call him a serial loser, say he’s not very good, say what you will about Johnny Greaves but he commands and deserves your respect. He won 4 of his 100 fights (no draws), boxing 20 British champions and four world champions in his short but action-packed career. Here he talks about the short notice gigs, from his sofa with a can of Fosters at 3pm to in the ring at the Excel at 5pm, life on the road, the abuse he’s received and his ongoing battle with depression. It’s all here, uncut and in incredibly colourful detail in a must-listen interview. This is brought to you by HansonLee.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheffield trainer Dominic Ingle is the custodian of a famous family name. Along with brother John, they run the historic gym on Wincobank that was started by their father, Brendan. Through Dom's life in boxing, he has seen and worked with some fabulous fighters including Herol Graham, Naseem Hamed, Junior Witter, Kell Brook, Johnny Nelson and many more. Ingle is a quiet man but well respected and he has a fascinating story to tell. Boxing Life Stories – BROUGHT TO YOU BY Hansonlee.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Promoter Kalle Sauerland is one of the most charismatic characters in the sport. Born in Germany, schooled in England, he has been around boxing his entire life as the son of Hall of Fame boxing promoter Wilfried. He has been instrumental in the World Boxing Super Series and its forerunner, the Super Six, and he's promoted some of the biggest European names in recent years, including Nikolai Valuev, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, David Haye and Marco Huck. He has done this while internet fans have dubbed him the 'Colombian Kalle' but also while becoming a hugely popular cult hero, an unusual role for a promoter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a trainer, Gary Lockett endured a brutal six-month period. Firstly, his charge Nick Blackwell was left fighting for his life following a hard-fought battle against Chris Eubank Jnr. Then, months later, Lockett was in the 'winning' corner when his boxer, Dale Evans was victorious against Mike Towell, who did not survive his injuries from the fight. It was a horrible spell and firmly tested Lockett's resolve and his passion for the sport, one that was dampened as a fighter in a career that saw him make his name with a violent left hook called 'Lockett's Rocket.' Trained by the likes of Brian Hughes and Enzo Calzaghe, Lockett is a raft of boxing wisdom and talks in colour about boxing politics and his own 12-year career which culminated in a unified middleweight championship to and in-form Kelly Pavlik. But by then, Lockett knew his time had come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Irish hero Steve Collins was part of that brilliant era that inspired a generation of boxers and fight fans. The Celtic Warriror cut his teeth in the hard gyms of America, where he boxed under the Petronelli brothers and, later, Freddie Roach, and he challenged two of the best of his era in Mike McCallum and Reggie Johnson for world honours. But it was his fights with domestic rivals Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn that catapulted him to fame and fortune. The brilliant Irishman with the iron will and the granite chin nearly fought Roy Jones and there were rumours of talks with Joe Calzaghe, but his legacy as one of the toughest men to ever do it was already secure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli was one of the biggest British punchers of his era, if not of all time. The Swansea man was an integral part of the Enzo Calzaghe stable, a regular sparring partner of Joe Calzaghe but he had his own huge nights in the ring, against Wayne Braithwaite, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez, David Haye, Ola Afolabi, Denis Lebedev and Roy Jones. There were nearly contests with Johnny Nelson and others, too, and the popular Welshman is not ruling out one more fight, which would be his 50th. Candidly he talks about his battles in the ring and away from it, the trainers he boxed under, his fight to prove his innocence after failing a drug test, the loss of his father and much more in a truly compelling and insightful interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheffield star Clinton Woods went from plasterer's labourer to British, Commonwealth, European and IBF light-heavyweight champion. His self-confessed unlikely rise saw him tangle with the likes of Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, Julio Gonzalez, Rico Hoye and Tavoris Cloud, not bad for a fighter who only turned pro to give himself and his friends a few good nights out. Woods, open as ever, missed out on a huge domestic showdown with Joe Calzaghe but there was not much he did not do as he boxed the best of his era, in Europe and further afield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker won a world title with one thing in mind, immortalising the name of his late brother Gary. The Barnet man, a slick boxer and one of the sport's good guys, failed in his first world title shot against Sergio Martinez and then captured the belt and completed his ultimate glory against Australian Daniel Geale before losing in his first defence and walking away for good. Here, Barker talks about the tragic loss of his brother, his friendship with Joe Calzaghe, sparring the likes of Carl Froch, Howard Eastman and Mikkel Kessler and he remembers that incredible night in Atlantic City when the stars aligned and Gary's name went up proudly in lights one last time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester idol Anthony Crolla was just weeks away from his first world title fight when he saw his neighbours being burgled. Crolla went to help and wound up with a fractured skull and a fractured ankle and his world title dreams were shattered. The incident made the news everywhere. But one of boxing's good guys would not be denied. His superb career saw him capture the WBA lightweight title and he's been in numerous high profile fights, against the likes of Derry Mathews, Kieran Farrell, Gavin Rees, Jorge Linares, Ricky Burns and many more. Now he wants to fight the best boxer in the world, Vasyl Lomachenko. This is the brilliant Anthony Crolla and his incredible story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester trainer Anthony Farnell admits his enforced retirement from the sport due to irregularities in a brain scan meant he spiralled into an abyss. He skidded into a 10-month alcohol-fuelled depression that nearly cost him his wife and his family. Along with other rising Manchester prospects Ricky Hatton and Michael Gomez, Farnell was part of a lively domestic scene at light-middleweight and went on to coach the likes of Anthony Crolla, Tony Bellew and Frankie Gavin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Mike Tyson rocketed onto the scene in the mid-1980s he had a support system that included mentor and father-figure Cus D'Amato, co-managers Jim Jacobs and Bill Cayton, trainer Kevin Rooney and Steve Lott. Lott had already been in the boxing business a decade, working closely with Jacobs and Cayton. He went on to forge a close friendship with Tyson, who as the champion of the world would sometimes sleep on Lott's couch. They have been in and out of contact in subsequent years, but there is no one with a better understanding of the highs and lows of Mike Tyson in the 1980s than Steve Lott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The BBC's voice of boxing and athletics Mike Costello is one of the most popular commentators in sport today. The host of Radio Five Live's boxing coverage and boxing podcasts, Costello speaks about his career trajectory from amateur boxer, to coach to a man who has been ringside at some of the biggest fights of this era. Here is the man – the voice – away from the prize ring, talking about his life behind and away from the microphone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heavyweight Dave Allen has built a substantial and unexpected fanbase in his pro career. The colourful Doncaster man has boxed on big shows and fought big names but has also become widely known for his battles with metal health and gambling. Honest as ever, he takes Tris Dixon through his life story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leading South African trainer Colin Nathan has an old head on young shoulders. Here, he discusses the heartbreak that almost saw him walk away from the sport, how he learned under Freddie Roach in Los Angeles and how he now boasts a top stable that includes Ring magazine light-flyweight champion Hekkie Budler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former world lightweight title contender discusses the highs and lows of his boxing career, from challenging for titles, fighting in the USA, wanting to face Amir Khan, losing everything, failing brain scans and going blind in one eye. It's been a hell of a journey, but with the love of a good woman (and a dog) he's doing well now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy 'The Preacher' Graham trained the likes of Matthew Macklin, Paul Smith, Ensley Bingham and Carl Thompson, but it was his work with Ricky Hatton that saw the iconic duo shoot to fame. Following a bitter split with the Hitman, Graham became a self-proclaimed recluse but here, in a rare and captivating interview, he tells his story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

International Boxing Hall of Fame boxing writer Nigel Collins remembers the highs and lows of his storied career. From cutting his teeth on the incredible Philadelphia fighting landscape in the 1970s to celebrity status in the Philippines and from hanging with Mike Tyson and his pet tigers to visiting the fallen heavyweight king in prison, Collins has seen and spent time with the best of the best, be it James Toney, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones and many more. Here, exclusively, is the former editor of Ring magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amir Khan shot to fame at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Now a 31-year-old veteran, Khan is in the latter stages of his career. Here, in a candid interview, he talks of his most significant fights, reveals how he lost out on meeting Floyd Mayweather, discusses his biggest fears and assesses whether people really know who Amir Khan is Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's 'Showtime'. WBC welterweight champion Shawn Porter takes listeners through his life in boxing, from his Olympic heartbreak to shutting Adrien Broner's mouth and wearing championship gold. Here is Porter, one of the best interviews in boxing today, unplugged. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Glenn McCrory might be best known as an expert for Sky Sports and talkSPORT but he had a superb career in his own right. Yet he is more than just an ex-boxer, he is one of the sport's best storytellers and has tales to tell about Mike Tyson, Cuban great Teofilo Stevenson, dehydration, his disabled brother and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul 'The Punisher' Williams fought the likes of Antonio Margarito, Sergio Martinez and Winky Wright during a stellar career. A freakishly-tall welterweight, who would move up to middleweight, he could not land big fights with Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather, earning him the title of boxing's most-avoided man. Then, in 2012, his career was curtailed by a motorbike crash that has left him in a wheelchair. APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fight manager Pat Lynch reminisces on the life, fights and tragic death of Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti. Lynch was Gatti's confidant, friend and father figure and was with him through his entire professional career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Boxing News editor Tris Dixon goes one-on-one with trainer Adam Booth, who discusses his time with David Haye, George Groves, Michael Conlan, Ryan Burnett and Josh Kelly. Booth talks about his highs and lows in and out of the corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices