Christmas Eve eve & incredibly we prepare for a boxing event which brings a host of match ups, protagonists & personalities that could only really made possible by Riyadh Season.

  But from the podcast point of view - we put our new co-host on the spot, for a baptism of fire. 

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In our first episode for over a year we take a helicopter view of Irish boxers and boxing and ask some questions that many are asking. IS there a reason for the recent downturn in performances and results? Is it a coaching issue? Style issue? Or are Irish boxers not as good as many believe them to be?

We also take a look at the fractured chasm that opened up between two greats of Irish boxing. Barry McGuigan/s career in the ring is well documented. He gave a glimmer of hope to a divided island in troubled times when there was little hope. Many years later he would be the man at the helm as Carl Frampton delivered European and world titles in different weight divisions. In this episode we look a little closer and ask "Where did it all go wrong?"

Hugh Russell won bronze medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada and at the Olympic Games in Moscow 1980 then went on to have renowned careers as a professional boxer and press photographer. IN the week he was laid to rest, we paid tribute and remember an Irish boxing legend.

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Episode number 200 of Enswell Boxing and it couldn't be any more special. Al is joined again by friend of the show - Irish heavyweight boxer Niall Kennedy.

Its no secret that boxing is the most uncompromising, unrelenting and sometimes unfulfilling crucibles of all.

Indeed, its no secret you need to be disciplined, dedicated and sometimes deranged to want to be knocked down, trodden on, kicked, cut and bruised. Beaten and battered to the point where every ounce of your being pleads, screams...'ENOUGH'.

And it's definitely no secret how dark the boxing world can be, with a cast of characters and bad actors lurking in the shadows willing, waiting and wanting to feed off boxers given half the chance.

What may come as a surprise to some, is that amongst all of that you will find some oof the most genuine, honest, kind-hearted and REAL: people - of which no 2 are the same.

Most will mask and hide all of those qualities to play the role of the Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Its what they have to do to survive.

And then.........you meet Niall Kennedy!

Have a listen as Niall's coach Pascal Collins and stablemates Spike O'Sullivan, Stephen Ormoind and Ray Moylette regale fond memories from the big man's career that saw him win an Irish Title, Massachusetts Title & New England Titl and in 2020 the WBC Hero of The World award for frontline services throughout the pandemic. We're also joined on this episode by former opponent Allen 'The Savage' Babic AND Niall's former teacher Grainne Mulcahy.

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In a world that appears to change by the day - at times it would seem that boxing is hell bent on refusing to!

Yes there have been strides in terms of medical and safety protocol and boxers ARE required to comply with THE most stringent health checks, scans and indeed drug testing. But after the shit show that surrounded and eventually collapsed the meeting of Chris Eubank jr and Conor Benn - many boxing observers are left questioning "Has anything really changed"?!

Co-Host Binny Folen, fresh from his recent return to Ireland joins Al to discuss this and Saturday nights IBO Light Middleweight World Title showdown with Sam Egglington. Sam of course was a guest on the podcast back in July 2020 and now stands in the way of our close pal Dennis Hogan fulfilling a lifelong dreram, a promise - his destiny.

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Shannon O'Connell is in the midst of fine tuning her preparations for the December 10th IBF Bantamweight world title showdown with champion and fellow Australian Ebanie 'Blonde Bomber' Bridges at the Leeds Direct Arena - a journey that has been anything but easy!

O'Connell's dad was killed when she was only two. Her mum was taken by the drug scene. It’s not surprising Shannon O’Connell has gone on to become a fighter. But it’s only in recent years she finds herself at home, comfortable with he very idea of being spoken about AND treated like the world class athlete she is!

Earlier this year ‘Shotgun’ was mandated to fight fellow Aussie Ebanie Bridges for the IBF bantamweight world title. In this episode she tells Al her life story and how she feels as she now zeroes in on her lifelong dream.

And joining her is one of Irelands very finest young talents. Niamh Fay won a European gold medal as a youth in 2019 - and this year ‘Fast Hands’ won an U/22 gold medal at the European Championships.

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By the time Darren Sutherland won his silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 he had achieved it all as an amateur. With top promoters queuing up for his signature in the professional game - He had everything in front of him, a glittering prospect with a real chance to achieve fame and fortune through a career in the ring. Sadly that wasn’t to be.

In this episode Al and Ciaran of Boxing Bants remember one of our very best.

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Renowned British politician John Randolph once said ‘Like rotten mackerel by moonlight, he shines and stinks’ - a phrase that could very aptly describe Anthony Joshua’s performance during and after his latest battle with Oleksander Usyk in the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There were many questions surrounding both men going into fight week - much was said about the new look Anthony Joshua, the impact of Robert Garcia & indeed how Oleksander Usyk may be affected by the turmoil in his homeland.

The questions were answered emphatically about Usyk, but we’ve been left with even more uncertainties surrounding AJ. Once again his ‘Circle Of Sycophants’ lead fans on a merry dance - but when all was said and done - where were they when they were truly needed?

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The demands of boxing place many pressures on fighters but for the the rare few who reach the very pinnacle of the sport - that pressure can become the defining factor as they strive to grasp that immortal status.

In the past some have likened that pressure to a fire. A fire that can be used to heat a home - but one that can be so intense, it can burn that home to the ground.

In this preview episode Al looks at some of the elements that may influence Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua and Al asks will that pressure “Fuel or Fire”…

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The boxer’s world is very different to that of any other profession. In a fight - minutes seem like hours, fight business - hours seem like days etc.

So with everything else that has transpired in the first half of 2022 fans would be forgiven if they forgot about this one.

This episode was actually recorded back at the beginning of April but only being released now (July 2nd)

Have a listen to the thoughts and opinions of former world champions George Groves & Wayne McCullough who know all too well what it feels like to be on the wrong end of a controversial decision.

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Barely minutes after her titanic battle with Amanda Serrano. Still bleeding, still taking huge gulps of air with adrenaline still coursing through her body - Katie Taylor seemed to be the only one able to find words to sum up what we had just witnessed.

 Boxing fans have a tendency to over hype, off allowing hopes & expectations to become unrealistic big fights.Not this time! Not this fight!This one reset the bar!

At a time when the reputation of boxing & Irish boxing truly needed somebody to remind the world that its not all bad, Along comes Katie Taylor….AGAIN!

 In this episode Al looks back over an unforgettable night & tries to find his own words & is joined by Joining ‘the Mammy of Irish boxing’ Anna Moore. Almost every young Irish boxer who has worn the green vest will know Anna, who was team manager for many of Katie’s biggest and best days in the Irish vest (including 3 world championships). And listen to one of the most informative, straight talking & real boxing pods out there: https://tinyurl.com/ye24jk3x for some interesting Team Serrano facts that got ‘lost’ in the hype.

AND listen to Wymac, daughter of Al’s great pal & mentor Wayne McCullough as she performed at the NFL Draft recently: https://tinyurl.com/43bbnrd7

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