Boxing Life Stories

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.

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

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 Parker 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.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

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.  

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

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. 

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024

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. 

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2023

'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.

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2023

'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.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2023

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."

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 6 September 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 July 2023

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

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2023

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!

Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2023

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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2023

The head of the WBC reflects on his time in boxing, including growing up in the the WBC – which was created by his father Don Jose. As a child, Mauricio recalls the likes of Don King and Muhammad Ali visiting the house... Sulaiman talks about the controversies, the state of boxing, the WBC almost going bankrupt and much more besides, showing a side not often seen in his interviews.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2023

Billy Dib might have been the IBF featherweight champion of the world, worked with Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, 50 Cent and Naseem Hamed, but two weeks ago he was told the biggest news of his life when doctors informed him he was cancer free. Here, Dib looks back on a journey that in recent months has united the boxing world, but one that saw him bullied as a kid, his first wife die of cancer and Dib experience many moments of hardship. Now, with a new book out and an uplifting story to tell with a positive message he is keen to get out, Dib can talk about the future having won his fight to survive and spend more time with his wife and young son. https://billydib.com/product/a-true-heart-billy-dibs-autobiography-signed-copy/

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2023

Former world crusierweight champion Steve Cunningham has endured many battles in the ring, but everything has been insignificant in comparison to having a daughter who needed a heart transplant. Here, Steve tells his incredible joinery, from the streets of Philadelphia to the Navy, a pro career that started in the middle of nowhere, to some of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history against the likes of Marco Huck, Tomasz Adamek, Krystof Wlodarcyzk, Guillermo Jones and a move up in weight that would later see him fight – and drop – Tyson Fury and draw with Antonio Tarver. Cunningham went to his opponent's backyard many times, and this is his life on the front line, and behind enemy lines.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2023

Matchmaker Roberto Diaz has recently finished 15 years as a figurehead of Golden Boy Promotions and this is his first interview since the split. Here, Diaz talks about growing up rough in San Francisco, his traumatic battle with cancer, how Marco Antonio Barrera facilitated his start in professional boxing, his time at Golden Boy and parting company from Oscar De La Hoya and much more. This is great stuff, a real look behind the curtain of professional boxing and Diaz is a terrific storyteller who has seen so much.

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2023

Former European light-heavyweight champion Danny McIntosh won the crown on the road, in France, beating Thierry Karl, and he also fought Tony Bellew, Nathan Cleverly, Tony Oakey, Steve Spartacus and many others. Danny also sparred with Mikkel Kessler, Herbie Hide and Robert Stieglitz, was trained by Graham Everett and also fulfilled a childhood dream working with the Ingles, including the late Brendan Ingle. Here, he talks about the challenges he faced in his career in boxing and life after the final bell, his new gym and his hopes for the future.

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2023

Former British heavyweight champion Sam Sexton had a successful career that ran from 2005-2018 and saw him finish with 24 wins with four losses. Here, Sexton talks about fighting the likes of David Price, Hughie Fury, Derek Chisora and Martin Rogan, and working in camp with Matt Skelton, Wladimir Klitschko and many more. He talks about the grief he felt after the loss of his mother, PEDs in the heavyweight division, the damage Klitschko did to him in Austria, meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger, early sparring sessions with Herbie Hide and Jon Thaxton and coping with the loss of identity and the buzz of fighting in retirement. This is great stuff from Sam.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2023

If anyone has a hard luck story in the sport, it's two-time former world light-heavyweight champion Montell Griffin. Yes, he beat James Toney after barely a dozen pro fights, and yes, he was the first man to defeat Roy Jones. But he never had anything easy. He had to sue to force his way onto the Barcelona 1992 Olympic team, and even then was hard done by by the judges when he exited the tournament. Things didn't get easier, with controversial points losses, losing to fighters who later tested positive for PEDs and much more besides. But he retains his love the sport. Despite a resigned cynicism, he coaches fighters today and in his spare time works as a stand up comedian! In his words, if he didn't laugh, he'd cry. He also has a new book out, visit www.theicelifebook.com for more details and to purchase.

Transcribed - Published: 15 February 2023

Matchmaker Eric Bottjer has worked for a who's who of promoters, including Dan Goosen, Lou DiBella, Don King and Matchroom, but he's not a man who has seen things just at the highest level, but at fight club level, too. Eric is a boxing historian and was influenced by the late Johnny Bos and Bottjer's helped in the careers of the likes of Evander Holyfield, Felix Trinidad, James Toney and he also made the 2001 Fight of the Year between Micky Ward and Emanuel Burton (Augustus). Here, Bottjer talks about the roles of being a matchmaker, and how it took him into the ring against one of his own fighters, working with some of the biggest names in boxing and the state of the game today.

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2023