In this engaging conversation, Kevin Graham interviews Andy Clarke, Sky Sports Head Boxing Commentator, about various aspects of the sport. They discuss the nature of bravery in boxing, the significance of trainers, the allure of the sport, and the importance of amateur boxing as a foundation for professional careers. The conversation also touches on the future of boxing in the Olympics, Andy's journey in commentary, and an analysis of an upcoming mega fight card. Andy shares personal reflections on the sport and his thoughts on whether he would allow his daughter to box, emphasizing the complexities and humanity behind the fighters.

*Please note - the audio on my end of the conversation deteriorates at times throughout the show. I do apologise, I will do better in future but if you can tolerate my input, Andy's contribution is crystal clear both in terms of sound quality and the amazing insight and opinion from his end.

Chapters

00:00 The Guts of Bravery in Boxing

07:40 The Legacy of Boxing Trainers

12:06 The Allure of Boxing Films

16:23 The Unique Nature of Boxing

25:53 The Moral Dilemma of Boxing

39:13 The Relationship Between Amateur and Professional Boxing

41:06 The Importance of Experience in Boxing

44:58 The Current State of Amateur Boxing

49:18 Geopolitical Challenges in Boxing Organizations

54:00 Impact of Uncertainty on Boxing Careers

57:52 Andy’s Journey in the Boxing Industry

01:11:36 Previewing the Mega Fight Card on February 22

01:16:15 The Future of Boxing for the Next Generation

Music: Darkness Cinematic Sport Trailer

Musician: AlexGuz

HBO, Inc

Steve Sallis is an author, an academic and a former Vice Principal in an inner London School. He is also a former academy player and coach, and in recent years has become recognised as a leading light in the football world when it comes to working on mindset, whether that be for players or coaches.

He has worked for numerous football clubs at first team level including Cardiff City, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town where he is currently employed. In addition he delivers coach education for the Scottish FA.

This episode covers a multitude of topics including

- the mindset and toolkit for the modern coach

- education in football...is the modern game more open to learn?

- sourcing coaches...where might football get the next generation from

- Comparisons with other sports

- English football...state of the nation

A fascinating discussion with a hugely passionate and knowledgeable guy

Tony Mowbray is a Teesside icon - the iconic skipper of a young team of local lads that under Bruce Rioch took the club from the 3rd tier to the 1st with successive promotions against a backdrop that saw the club almost cease to exist and be locked out of its Ayresome Park home back in 1986.

Football fans in general will recognise Tony Mowbray as the manager of clubs like West Brom, Celtic, Hibernian, Blackburn Rovers most recently and of course, his beloved Middlesbrough. A great football mind and man who just lives and breathes the game.

In this episode, we discuss

- His roots and where the passion for the game comes from

- His development from player to coach and manager

- The challenges facing coaches in developing young players these days

- The great coaching influences in today's game

- England's prospects on the world stage

- Parenthood

A wonderful experience to talk football with my boyhood hero

NB Apologies for the sound quality - the quality of the production certainly doesn't match the content

Maya Le Tissier is one of the rising stars of English football and her journey started on her home island of Guernsey where her formative years in the game were guided by her father Darren, a coach at St Martin's AC. This is a unique insight into her journey and how that has progressed from both her perspective and that of her father.

We cover

- The benefits of growing up on a small island

- Adapting to life on the mainland

- Progressing from development to results football

- The balance between parenting and coaching

- Being part of Brighton as a football club

A really unique episode

Fondly known as Big Norm, Mark Crossley had a career at the very top of the English game as a goalkeeper at clubs like Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Fulham, and he played for two of the world's greatest ever managers. After his playing days, he went into coaching before recently becoming an advocate for mental health.

In a wonderful insight into his career, we cover a lot of ground including

- the transition to playing from coaching

- Brian Clough (and Sir Alex Ferguson)

- the way the game has changed

- Walking's brilliant, starting a charity and doing good in this world

What a brilliant fella - this is a really heart warming episode with a guy who has seen it all in the game and shared the dressing room with some of the greatest names in the game.

John Coleman is probably the pound for pound champ of English professional football management.

His time managing Accrington Stanley over 2 periods spanning almost 20 years has seen 4 promotions through the non league game, into the football league and then upwards. 20 years after coming up against the likes of me and my team Whitby Town, Accrington now sit above former Premier League teams Charlton, Ipswich and Sunderland in the play off positions in League One, whilst continuing to work with one of the lowest budgets, if not the lowest, in that League.

In this episode we cover

- playing budgets

- adapting playing style and systems as his team progresses through the leagues

- coaching and developing players

- part time to full time progression

I say it every time, but this is brilliant

John Coleman is probably the pound for pound champ of English professional football management.

His time managing Accrington Stanley over 2 periods spanning almost 20 years has seen 4 promotions through the non league game, into the football league and then upwards. 20 years after coming up against the likes of me and my team Whitby Town, Accrington now sit above former Premier League teams Charlton, Ipswich and Sunderland in the play off positions in League One, whilst continuing to work with one of the lowest budgets, if not the lowest, in that League.

In this episode we cover

- playing budgets

- adapting playing style and systems as his team progresses through the leagues

- coaching and developing players

- part time to full time progression

I say it every time, but this is brilliant

Danny and Nicky Cowley join me for the first Futbol 360 episode of 2021.

Those of you familiar with the show will know what a big fan I am of their work and so I'm delighted to share some more insight into their thinking. We managed to cover plenty of great topics including;

- their affection for West Ham and the impact following their team as young lads had on them

- their game model...brilliant insight into their approach

- their coaching journey and how they continue to learn

- the future game and what prospects lie in store for our kids' generation

A huge privilege listening to these fellas talk about the game.

Danny and Nicky Cowley join me for the first Futbol 360 episode of 2021.

Those of you familiar with the show will know what a big fan I am of their work and so I'm delighted to share some more insight into their thinking. We managed to cover plenty of great topics including;

- their affection for West Ham and the impact following their team as young lads had on them

- their game model...brilliant insight into their approach

- their coaching journey and how they continue to learn

- the future game and what prospects lie in store for our kids' generation

A huge privilege listening to these fellas talk about the game.

This week's guest is better known in boxing circles as a successful trainer of world champions including Tony Bellew and Jamie Mcdonnell but he's also hugely passionate about his role as a coach in grass roots football. In this episode we cover

- supporting young players to follow their dream

- developing young people through sport

- coaching his own son

- comparisons between coaching in boxing and football

This is a fascinating listen for fans of both football and boxing, and anyone with an interest in grass roots sport.