Boxing Life Stories

By Tris Dixon

What's Boxing Life Stories about?

Revealing, in-depth interviews from around the boxing world by Tris Dixon, the former editor of Boxing News, and boxing author who is an elector for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, on The Ring Ratings panel and who was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.

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Boxing Life Stories episodes:

01.10.2024
Season 5: #50 Joe Calzaghe
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...
12.20.2023
Season 5: #49 Eric Donovan
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...
12.13.2023
Season 5: #48 Jim McDonnell
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...
12.06.2023
Season 5: #47 Derek Williams
'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...
11.29.2023
Season 5: #46 Julius Francis
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...
11.22.2023
Season 5: #45 Bob Arum
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...
11.15.2023
Season 5: #44 Julian Jackson
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...
11.08.2023
Season 5: #43 Scott Cardle
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...
11.01.2023
Season 5: #42 Charlie Magri
'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...
10.25.2023
Season 5: #41 Andre Berto
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...
10.18.2023
Season 5: #40 Hasim Rahman
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...
10.11.2023
Season 5: #39 Dr Flip Homansky
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...
10.04.2023
Season 5: #38 Derrick Harmon
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...
09.25.2023
Season 5: #37 Jamie Speight
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...
09.06.2023
Season 5: #36 Barry Michael
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...
08.30.2023
Season5: #35 Evan Korn
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...
08.23.2023
Season 5: #34 Larry Olubamiwo
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...
08.09.2023
Season 5: #33 Jim Lampley
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...
08.02.2023
Season 5: #32 Augie Sanchez
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,...
07.19.2023
Season 5: #31 Brad Goodman
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...
07.12.2023
Season 5: #30 Kenny Adams
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...
07.05.2023
Season 5: #29 Jesse Reid
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,...
06.28.2023
Season 5: #28 Johnny Nelson Part 2
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...
06.21.2023
Season 5: #27 Kieran Mulvaney
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...
06.14.2023
Season 5: #26 Timothy Bradley
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...
06.07.2023
Season 5: #25 Ben Shalom
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...
05.31.2023
Season 5: #24 Lawrence Lustig
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...
05.17.2023
Season 5: #23 Malik Scott
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,...
05.11.2023
Season 5: #22 Colonel Bob Sheridan
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...
05.04.2023
Season 5: #21 Elliot Worsell
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...
04.26.2023
Season 5: #20 Lewis van Poetsch
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...
04.19.2023
Season 5: #19 Rachel Charles
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...
04.12.2023
Season 5: #18 Boris Crighton
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...
04.05.2023
Season 5: #17 Lee Cutler
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...
03.29.2023
Season 5: #16 Mauricio Sulaiman
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...
03.22.2023
Season 5: #15 Billy Dib
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...
03.15.2023
Season 5: #14 Steve Cunningham
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...
03.08.2023
Season 5: #13 Roberto Diaz
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...
03.01.2023
Season 5: #12 Danny McIntosh
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...
02.22.2023
Season 5: #11 Sam Sexton
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,...
02.15.2023
Season 5: #10 Montell Griffin
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...
02.08.2023
Season 5: #9 Eric Bottjer
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...
02.01.2023
Season 5: #8 Lee Meager
Former British lightweight champion Lee Meager is a tarmacker by trade and was involved in some great fights in his pro career, from 2000 to 2008. He won 16 of his first 17 pro contests, trained under the watchful eye of...
01.25.2023
Season 5: #7 Thomas McDonagh
Thomas McDonagh was a frustratingly good prospect from the Collyhurst and Moston gym in Manchester and learned his trade under the brilliant coach Brian Hughes. McDonagh was a one club man, amateur and pro, and he boxed the likes of Anthony...
01.18.2023
Season 5: #6 Graham Everett
Norwich trainer Graham Everett is one of the most respected and unheralded figures in British boxing. He's trained the likes of Herbie Hide, Jon Thaxton and Sam Sexton to title glory, trained Michael, Ryan and Liam Walsh and he's been a...
01.11.2023
Season 5: #5 Anthony Crolla Part 2
Back from only the 15th episode at the start of Boxing Life Stories, Anthony Crolla returns as a guest to talk about the tail end of his career, getting 'tasered' by Vasyl Lomachenko, his farewell fight and life after boxing. One...
01.04.2023
Season 5: #4 Ryan Walsh
Cromer's former British featherweight champion was unlucky not to win the European title when he challenged for it on away soil. He's fought the likes of Lee Selby, James Tennyson, Maxi Hughes and missed out on clashes with Carl Frampton, Josh...
12.28.2022
Season 5: #3 Nigel Travis
Nigel Travis has done it all in boxing. He's best known now as Jamie Moore's No. 2 – assistant trainer – but he was a good amateur who left it too late to make it in the pros. As well as...
12.21.2022
Season 5: #2 Jon Thaxton
Jon Thaxton is a former British lightweight champion who boxed the likes of Ricky Hatton, Eamonn Magee, Emanuel Augustus, Yuri Romanov, Jon Murray and Paul 'Scrap Iron' Ryan. He worked with Brendan Ingle and Norwich stalwart Graham Everett, became close to...
12.15.2022
Season 5: #1 Scott Quigg
Former world super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg talks about the single-mindedness that took him to the top of the sport. He discuses the sacrifices he has made to reach the pinnacle in a fights against the likes of Rendall Monroe, Carl Frampton,...

What's Boxing Life Stories about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Boxing Life Stories episodes:

Season 5: #50 Joe Calzaghe

Season 5: #49 Eric Donovan

Season 5: #48 Jim McDonnell

Season 5: #47 Derek Williams

Season 5: #46 Julius Francis

Season 5: #45 Bob Arum

Season 5: #44 Julian Jackson

Season 5: #43 Scott Cardle

Season 5: #42 Charlie Magri

Season 5: #41 Andre Berto

Season 5: #40 Hasim Rahman

Season 5: #39 Dr Flip Homansky

Season 5: #38 Derrick Harmon

Season 5: #37 Jamie Speight

Season 5: #36 Barry Michael

Season5: #35 Evan Korn

Season 5: #34 Larry Olubamiwo

Season 5: #33 Jim Lampley

Season 5: #32 Augie Sanchez

Season 5: #31 Brad Goodman

Season 5: #30 Kenny Adams

Season 5: #29 Jesse Reid

Season 5: #28 Johnny Nelson Part 2

Season 5: #27 Kieran Mulvaney

Season 5: #26 Timothy Bradley

Season 5: #25 Ben Shalom

Season 5: #24 Lawrence Lustig

Season 5: #23 Malik Scott

Season 5: #22 Colonel Bob Sheridan

Season 5: #21 Elliot Worsell

Season 5: #20 Lewis van Poetsch

Season 5: #19 Rachel Charles

Season 5: #18 Boris Crighton

Season 5: #17 Lee Cutler

Season 5: #16 Mauricio Sulaiman

Season 5: #15 Billy Dib

Season 5: #14 Steve Cunningham

Season 5: #13 Roberto Diaz

Season 5: #12 Danny McIntosh

Season 5: #11 Sam Sexton

Season 5: #10 Montell Griffin

Season 5: #9 Eric Bottjer

Season 5: #8 Lee Meager

Season 5: #7 Thomas McDonagh

Season 5: #6 Graham Everett

Season 5: #5 Anthony Crolla Part 2

Season 5: #4 Ryan Walsh

Season 5: #3 Nigel Travis

Season 5: #2 Jon Thaxton

Season 5: #1 Scott Quigg