Engine Room Boxing Podcast

Former world-ranked professional light heavyweight boxer, John "Iceman" Scully, had an impressive amateur career with four straight Western Massachusettes Golden Gloves titles and three consecutive New England Golden Gloves titles before turning pro in 1988.

During his 13-years as a professional boxer, John amassed a 38-11 record with 21 knockouts. Since his retirement from the ring, John has trained numerous professional and amateur boxers, published an autobiography (The Iceman Diaries), and appeared as a ringside analyst on the ESPN Classic network's Boxing Series. 

James VanDemark, professor of double bass at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, is also a performer, producer, entrepreneur and accomplished boxer who has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ESPN’s “E:60”.  James began boxing in his 50s and was immediately intrigued by the intersection between boxing and playing music. Since that time, he has introduced many of his music students to the sport, with great results in both their personal and professional lives.

Scotland’s first female World Champion boxer and professional musician, Hannah Rankin, is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Conservatory with a Masters and Professional Diploma from London’s Royal Academy of Music. Thirty-year-old Hannah grew up on a farm in West Scotland where she took up taekwondo and the flute. Her love of combat sports and music followed her into adulthood. Today, Hannah is a professional bassoonist and a professional boxer, who’s faced top opponents like Clarissa Shields and Savannah Marshall in the ring. In this episode, Hannah talks about women in boxing, what it’s like to balance two careers, and her favorite boxers.

Mike McAtee, Executive Director of USA Boxing grew up in Kansas, where he began boxing when he was 12-years-old, competing in Junior Olympics, Silver Gloves and Golden Gloves before eventually pursuing a career in law enforcement. Mike joined the staff of USA Boxing in 2016 after retiring from the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department with 25 years of service, including 22 years as a member of the SWAT team. In this episode, Mike talks to us about the mission of USA Boxing, the Olympic process and the “Back to Boxing” plan.

Singer-songwriter, artist and former professional boxer, Paul Thorn, grew up in Mississippi. the son of a preacher, he spent much of his childhood in church, where he developed his love of music, steeped in the gospel sound while he hid his Huey Lewis and Elton John albums from his father. 

As a young man, Paul learned to box from his uncle. He eventually turned pro with 14 professional fights to his name, including a televised match against four-time World Champion, Roberto Duran. 

In this episode, Paul talks about the sport of boxing and his fight with Duran. As a bonus for music fans, he also performs two of his original songs, including one off his upcoming album. 

It's fight night. You're in the corner, ready to face your opponent. The bell rings. You're relying on your skills to keep you safe, but this is boxing, and it's an unpredictable sport. When you step through those ropes, Dr. Brian Coleman is the man you want but hope you never need. 

Dr. Coleman is the Director of the Family Medicine Residency and the Sports Medicine Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. His areas of expertise include endurance athletes, combative sports and sports medicine injuries. Passionate about his work, Dr. Coleman has served as ringside physician for numerous wrestling, boxing and MMA events.

In this podcast, we'll learn about the most common injuries in boxing, why combat sports are important, and what it takes to be a fight doctor.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to step into the ring with someone who wants to knock you unconscious? Thousands of people are watching; the TV cameras are rolling; all eyes are on you. What will the highlight reels show tomorrow? Professional boxer Allan Green knows.

A National Golden Gloves Champion and former NABO super middleweight champion, Allan Green has had an impressive career as an amateur and professional boxer. Now, at the age of 41, he's taking on a new challenge outside the ring.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Allan Green had an outstanding amateur career with a 55-6 record, including a 2002 Golden Gloves National Championship before turning pro later that year at the age of 23. Allan made national headlines in 2005 with a Ring Magazine "Knockout of the Year" over Jaidon Codrington. Outside the ring, Allan's a fan of comics, a writer and an artist who was recently chosen to contribute to Noir is the New Black, a comics anthology from Fabian Sapolsky's FairSquare Comics.

In this episode, Allan talks about his rise through the amateur ranks, his Golden Gloves experience, his professional career, and why he's excited about the future.