Boxing Life Stories

By Tris DixonSports

Boxing Life Stories episodes

July 28, 2021 Season 3: #45 Matthew Hatton
Matthew Hatton was a European champion who challenged for world titles and who fought the likes of Gianluca Branco, Saul Canelo Alvarez, Kell Brook, Ben Tackie and Michael Lomax.

Of course, being Ricky Hatton’s brother had advantages but there were plenty of disadvantages, too. Here, he reflects on his stellar career, working with the likes fo Billy Graham, Lee Beard and Bob Shannon, and his new life as a trainer, coaching a good group of professionals including his nephew Campbell Hatton.

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1 hr 38 min
July 21, 2021 Season 3: #44 Kevin Kelley
Perhaps best-known for his multi-knockdown thriller with Prince Naseem Hamed as the Prince made his lively US debut in Madison Square Garden, Kelley had a long and illustrious career that resulted in him winning 60 fights, losing 10 and drawing twice.

He fought the likes of Erik Morales, Bones Adams, Marco Antonio Barrera, Derrick Gainer, Troy Dorsey, Humberto Soto, Manuel Medina and many other top-liners.

He was involved in several Fight of the Year contenders but is perhaps remembered fondly for his fast mouth as well as his fast punches. From telling Naz he would 'smoke his boots' to working as a broadcaster on shows including Heavyweight Explosion and KO Nation,. Kelley recounts his fascinating career as a pioneering featherweight at a time when there was a real focus on the larger weight classes.

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1 hr 39 min
July 14, 2021 Season 3: #43 Jerry Izenberg
If it's happened in boxing in the last 60-plus years, there's a fair chance Jerry Izenberg either covered it or saw it.

The award-winning writer was a staple for the Newark Star-Ledger and is a Hall of Fame. He's has known them all, from Frazier and Foreman to Hagler and Hearns, from Ali and Tyson to the promoters and gangsters who have run the sport.

He's been behind the scenes with champions, at the negotiating table with power-brokers and he's one of the best storytellers in the sport.

Aged 90 and living in Las Vegas, he's also the author of the brilliant book, Once There Were Giants.

Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories

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1 hr 49 min
July 07, 2021 Season 3: #42 Kelly Pavlik
Former world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik hit the heights after back-to-back wins over Jermain Taylor. He was red hot, then, and he had a superb career with 40 wins against just 2 defeats. He was a big puncher who was involved in a number of fun fights.

There was a damaging loss up in weight against Bernard Hopkins before Pavlik dropped back down to 160lbs to defend his titles and after losing to Sergio Martinez he tried to make a fresh start in California but the moment had gone. Certainly, after a proposed fight with Andre Ward fell through he saw nowhere else to go.

Here, Pavlik talks about his life and reputation in Youngstown, his big fights, the fights he could have had against the like of Froch, Calzaghe and Kessler, his legacy and his start in boxing in a candid and frank interview.

Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 35 min
June 30, 2021 Season 3: #41 Josh Warrington
Leeds warrior Josh Warrington is aiming for revenge with the only man to defeat him as a professional, Mauricio Lara, firmly in his sights.

Here, Josh looks back over his career, his journey to a world title and his bog wins over the likes of Kiko Martinez, Lee Selby, Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad.

He also talks about the devastation of the Lara loss, his need for revenge, his future and his relationship with boxing.

Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 hr 4 min
June 23, 2021 Season 3: #40 Ryan Rhodes
Sheffield star Ryan Rhodes talks about his time at the top, from a talented and confident amateur under Brendan Ingle and who raced to the Lonsdale Belt in record time as a young pro.

He fought Otis Grant in an early attempt for a world title and here he discusses his relationships with stablemates including Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Herol Graham and Junior Witter while talking about the fights that made his career, against the likes of Gary Lockett, Jamie Moore and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

Now a trainer, who's involved in an exciting new video game project, Rhodes discusses the journey from 'Spice Boy' to 'Old Spice' with colour and humour.

Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 44 min
June 16, 2021 Season 3: #39 Dennis Hobson
Promoter and manager Dennis Hobson has worked at all levels of the sport, from his time at the top with Clinton Woods – who would meet the likes of Roy Jones, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver – to his successful spell with Ricky Hatton.

He’s also been involved at the small hall level and has recently launched FightZone, an app for that perhaps should be but are not on TV.

He’s seen the sport from many angles and here discusses some of the negotiating, posturing, triumphs and failures while showing off his best Frank Sinatra impression in a must-listen episode.

Boxing Life Stories is now on PATREON.

You can get access to research, unseen photographs from Boxing Life Stories, go behind the scenes of the podcast with Tris Dixon and even get some episodes early.

You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon

Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE RESOURCING who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’

AND

DELCO SAFETY COMPLIANCE, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk

Follow Tris on twitter @trisdixon and instagram @trisdixon @boxing_life_stories

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 33 min
June 09, 2021 Season 3: #38 Sunny Edwards
IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards discusses his rise to the top, including his world title win over South African legend Moruti Mthlane.

The outspoken Edwards also talks about his controversial social media presence, his mum's health battle, growing up in the shadow of a bigger brother – decorated amateur and world champion Charlie – and his own amateur career as well as his ambitions and hopes for the future.

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1 hr 36 min
June 02, 2021 Season 3: #37 Glyn Rhodes
In one of the most moving Boxing Life Stories I've done, Sheffield ex-fighter and now trainer, manager and promoter Glyn Rhodes MBE recalls the highs and lows of his time in the sport.

Trained by Brendan Ingle, he talks of life as 'Showboat' Rhodes, a frustrating journeyman who should have done more in his career but also his time outside the ropes, with particular attention on the traumatic night his friend and fighter Scott Westgarth lost his life after a fight he won.

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2 hr 14 min
May 19, 2021 Season 3: #36 Bernard Fernandez
Veteran Philadelphia boxing writer Bernard Fernandez is an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee who has covered the sport for several decades.

He cut his journalistic teeth back home in New Orleans. The son of a prizefighter, he loved boxing from the start and looked up to the likes of Carmen Basilio rather than basketball or baseball stars and when his career took him to Philly there was only one sport on his mind.

He would cover fights involving Meldrick Taylor, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Arturo Gatti and countless others along the way, while forming a special relationship with another Bernard from Philadelphia, Bernard Hopkins, whose career he covered from start to finish.

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1 hr 30 min