This episode is a tribute to the late, great Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, one of the greatest entertainers in boxing history. Known throughout the late 90s and early 2000s as "Blood and Guts", "Rocky" and "Thunder" for his incredible resilience and devastating left hook. 

Gatti's fighting style represented everything that is great about boxing and was a throwback to the golden age of the Sweet Science. Our host, Casey Callanan, explains why Gatti is an important figure in boxing history and is perhaps his favorite boxer of all-time.

Lennox Lewis is profiled on this brand new episode of the Characters of Boxing (And Beyond) podcast. Our host discusses how Lewis' legendary final bout (a win over Vitali Klitschko) reignited his love affair with boxing. The fight also ushered in a new era for heavyweight championship boxing.

The first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event was recently released in its entirety by the UFC on YouTube.

"UFC 1: The Begining" took place in Denver Colorado in November 1993. In honor of its recent YouTube debut, our host recaps this historic event and discusses the legends/characters of the evening including Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Taylor Wily (Teila Tuli), Gerard Gordeau, Kevin Rozier and more.

We're celebrating the fighting city of Philadelphia with a tribute to one of its native sons and one of the greatest boxers ever, Bernard Hopkins. 

Our show is joined by Andre "Philly Dre" Cherry (visiting us in Baltimore from his home in Philadelphia). We celebrate Hopkins' career while also discussing all things Philly-- including the Eagles 2018 Super Bowl run, Meek Mill, Kevin Hart and the Rocky movie franchise.

Podcast host, Casey Callanan, is joined by his girlfriend and fellow boxing enthusiast Saroyah "The Destroyah" to discuss their evening at the fights in Baltimore, Maryland, Charm City, USA.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis wasn't the only star of the evening with a spectacular knock out victory coming from longtime Cuban great Yuriorkis Gamboa. We also discuss the characters of the evening, Baltimore boxing history, and the fashion trends that make Baltimore one of the most animated cities in the world.

Our podcast's host, Casey Callanan, discusses his weekend in Las Vegas with all the characters of the MGM Grand hotel during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman showdown. His weekend involved meeting Gerry Cooney in the elevator and running into the legend Freddie "Choir Boy" Roach. 

Casey's experience at the MGM Grand also led him to remember a fairly obscure bout between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon that had historic consequences. As you'll learn on today's episode this fight led to one of the most tragic and historic events in the history of Las Vegas, the death of rapper Tupac Shakur.

One of the funniest boxers that ever lived. A true character that found fame in Hollywood during and after his prolific heavyweight boxing career. Cobb had an all-time great chin and was a serious contender for the heavyweight crown.

 

He would go the distance with Larry Holmes in 1982 and later appear in movies and television as a villain throughout the 80s and 90s. He's a native Texan with a thick southern drawl. Despite his roots in Texas, he's called the fighting city of Philadelphia home since he started training at Smokin' Joe Frazier's gym early in his fight career.

In the aftermath of UFC 239 we're going beyond boxing as host Casey Callanan gives you a rundown on why Jorge Masvidal is the biggest character in MMA. (Masvidal also has professional boxing experience.) Masvidal raises important questions for the expectations on sportsmanship and an odd double-standard that exists when a fight ends. We also talk "305/Miami Energy" and Masvidal's streetfighting days against Kimbo Slice's protege, "Ray".

Learn more by visiting https://www.clearcontender.com/podcast and subscribe to the "Characters of Boxing" podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite podcasts today!

Podcast host Casey "Kid History" Callanan recaps an incredible night of boxing in his hometown and birthplace of Providence. He also recalls his experience meeting Matchroom Boxing's CEO Eddie Hearn and catches listeners up on all the characters of the evening.

The 1980 movie "Raging Bull" about Jake LaMotta is not just a great boxing movie, it's widely considered one of the greatest movies ever made. What fight fans might be less familiar with is a 1956 Oscar-winning masterpiece called "Somebody Up There Likes Me" starring Paul Newman as Rocky Graziano. 

This week on the Characters of Boxing (and Beyond) we profile the tumultuous life and career of Graziano, fighting out of Stillman's Gym in New York City. Graziano wasn't just a ferocious competitor inside the ring he was an absolute character outside of it. After his career ended he starred as an actor, alongside LaMotta, his childhood buddy, and Sugar Ray Robinson in the comedic sitcom "Car 54 Where are You?".

Today's podcast explores "Somebody Up There Likes Me", Graziano's deep troubles, and his subsequent triumphs. It also looks at the character he played on "Car 54" and explains what we can learn about the human condition from its narrative and incredibly poignant symbolism.