Boxing Life Stories

By Tris DixonSports

Boxing Life Stories episodes

September 16, 2020 Season 3: #3 Nicky Piper
Nicky Piper fought for a world title three times. He was defeated by Nigel Benn, Leeonzer Barber and Dariusz Michalczewski but won the Commonwealth title and beat the likes of Bruce Scott and Noel Magee and fought Crawford Ashley, Carl Thompson and many more. A member of MENSA, Piper became known to another generation of fans as an analyst on Sky Sports.

Here, at his home in an idyllic Welsh village, Piper discusses the missing ingredient that may have earned him that elusive world title, the nagging regret he still lives with but the contentment he has found in retirement.

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

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1 hr 38 min
September 09, 2020 Season 3: #2 Joe Hughes
Joe Hughes was born with Erb's Palsy, which meant his right arm hasn't developed the same way as his left. While not a one-handed fighter, he's built a successful career with a real disability and one he's happy to talk about.

Here, in an in-depth interview, he talks about his struggles in and out of the ring, how despite knock backs, bad scorecards and much more his heart and determination took him to a European title and to the brink of a world title fight.

The decorated former amateur star discusses the social media trolls he's encountered, his incredible rise, the disappointments he's fought through and much more.

Whether you know the Joe Hughes story or not, this is well worth your time. A truly inspirational man whose story reaches well beyond 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 54 min
September 02, 2020 Season 3: #1 Ed Robinson
Ed Robinson has spent a lifetime in the sport and is what's known in the trade as a 'boxing man.'

Universally liked and respected, he's spent more than two decades in a number of roles at Sky Sports but was an amateur fighter who even took a shot at the pros.

He's sparred top names, interviewed them and now holds one of the most influential positions in British 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 hr 15 min
August 26, 2020 Season 2: #50 Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn is a British sporting icon and one of boxing's best-loved warriors. Here, in the Boxing Life Stories 100th episode, he discusses his monumental fights with the likes of bitter rival Chris Eubank, Americans including Doug Dewitt, Gerald McClellan and Iran Barkley, as well as Steve Collins, Michael Watson and many more.

At times humours, at others sad, Benn talks about his battles away from the ring... The fight to save his marriage, his addiction to ecstasy, the ill-advised comeback attempt of 2019, the devastating lows he's survived and much more.

This is an unflinching interview with a man who, as he did throughout his career, wears his heart on his sleeve. It's the brilliant Nigel Benn as you've never heard him before.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 59 min
August 19, 2020 Season 2: #49 Carl Thompson

Former WBO world cruiserweight champion Carl Thompson might be Britain's most exciting fighter of all time.
Thompson would often overcome adversity, hurt, floored, behind on points and seconds from defeat only to rally and ultimately provide a back catalogue of storybook comebacks in his 34-6 career. He was a thunderous hitter and ducked no one.
He fought the likes of Chris Eubank, Johnny Nelson, David Haye, Sebastian Rothmann, Ezra Sellers, Terry Dunstan, Ralf Rocchigiani, Nicky Piper and many more.
Now, this retired warrior is a personal trainer and in this revealing interview he discusses his start as a Thai-boxer, his role as a boxing cult hero, the violent wars, his fighting heart and how he got it and much more.

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2 hr 16 min
August 12, 2020 Season 2: #48 Steve Wood

Boxing manager and promoter Steve Wood found his way into the sport by forming a friendship with 'The Viking' Steve Foster Sr.
A successful business man in his own right, Steve has managed the likes of John Murray, Jamie Moore and Josh Warrington and has seen the sport from all angles.
He's lost money on small hall shows but has been ringside supporting his fighters in huge domestic and international clashes.
Here he talks about the fighters who have come and gone, his hopes for the future, getting shot at and much more besides.
Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon. 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
Community:
twitter @trisdixon
instagram @trisdixon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 47 min
August 05, 2020 Season 2: #47 Richie Woodhall

Former world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall has worked as a pundit since retiring from the ring. He's covered the Olympics for more than 20 years as well as big fights in the UK and overseas, working for a host of networks including the BBC and BT Sport.
But Richie had a fabulous career of his own. He won Commonwealth gold and Olympic bronze, losing in the Seoul Olympics to the brilliant Roy Jones Jnr. As a pro, trained by his dad Len, he won 26 and lost just three times, boxing the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Markus Beyer, Glenn Catley, Keith Holmes, Sugarboy Malinga and Silvio Branco.
Now a Team GB coach, this is possibly the most intimate interview of his career. He talks about his transition to 'civilian' life after boxing, the big fights, his late father and the contests he could have had. There's the crazy stories around the Holmes fight in the US, his friendship with Calzaghe and much more.
Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon. 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
Community:
twitter @trisdixon
instagram @trisdixon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 hr 36 min
July 29, 2020 Season 2: #46 Anthony Ogogo

Anthony Ogogo won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012 and he should have been on top of the world having fought and beaten the pre-tournament favourite.
However, his mother lay gravely ill in hospital and he would make clandestine visits to her bedside hoping she would come out of her coma. Yes, he was inspired, but what should have been the best days of his life were also the worst.
His stellar amateur career, which included a Commonwealth Games medal, too, turned into a frustrating stop-start pro career. He signed with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions but fell between the cracks after Oscar's split with partner Richard Schaefer and he would work with Sauerland while fighting on Matchroom shows. He fought on a Mayweather bill in Vegas, a big show in Atlantic City but first there was an injury to his Achilles, then a shoulder dislocation and long periods of inactivity.
It culminated in his final fight when he suffered a catastrophic eye injury that resulted in a battle not only just to box again but to be able to see. He documented the journey to save his career – and his vision – on social media, covering the glimmers of hope and the heartbreak of finally admitting his boxing dream was over.
A surprise door opened, however, and he signed a deal with AEW, the sports entertainment company, and he's training to become a professional wrestler, with guidance from the likes of Diamond Dallas Page, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts and Cody Rhodes.
Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon. 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
Community:
twitter @trisdixon
instagram @trisdixon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 hr 47 min
July 22, 2020 Season 2: #45 Mickey Vann

Former star referee Mickey Vann officiated around 1,500 fights, from preliminary bouts to some of the biggest world title contests in recent history.
A former pro, Mickey was born into the circus – son of a knife throwing father – before finding fame as one of the top refs in the sport.
He's officiated some of the best boxers of the last several generations and was the third man in the ring for Lennox Lewis-Frank Bruno, Michael Gomez-Carl Johanneson and Micky Ward-Shea Neary. He also officiated fights featuring Pernell Whitaker, Herol Graham, Kirkland Laing, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and many more, refereeing in high profile fights around the world.
Here, he talks about fixed fights, how he developed his unique movement, throwing people out of the ring, refusing to accept a towel that was thrown in and much more.

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2 hr 59 min
July 16, 2020 Season 2: #44 Crawford Ashley

Crawford Ashley was a Sky Sports staple through the 1990s having reigned as British, Commonwealth and European champion and fighting for world titles.
But retirement came and depression and death loomed large. As he struggled to find himself after boxing there were multiple brushes with death. By then, he'd fought a who's who of top fighters, from Michael Nunn and Virgil Hill to Johnny Nelson, Carl Thompson, Nicky Piper, Graciano Rocchigiani, Yawe Davis and Clinton Woods.
Here he talks about wanting to fight Chris Eubank, and sparring him, sparring with Lennox Lewis in Big Bear, the horrendous time he endured towards the end of his career and post-boxing, the biggest fights and his fresh and optimistic outlook on life having spent time in Jamaica, Thailand and many places in between.
Check out Crawford's YouTube channel The Spiritual Boxer https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCemy0sAyE0F2gz8r0EAB1IQ

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2 hr 18 min