Boxing Life Stories

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