Boxing Life Stories

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

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

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.

'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.  

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.

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.

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. 

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.

'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.

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. 

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.

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."

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.