In this epidsode, I look back at 2002 WBU Light-Welterweight contest between Ricky Hatton and Eamonn Magee. The highly anticipated fight was one of the biggest fights of that year and was billed 'Anarchy in the UK'. I talk about my own memories of the fight and why I feel it is an Irish boxing fight to remember.

Eamonn Magee grew up in Ardoyne during the height of the troubles. He was the youngest of 4 boys who would all find their safe place in Sacred Heart ABC. Eamonn was a real talent as an amateur winning 10 Irish titles as well as multiple multi-nation gold medals. He also claimed a silver medal at the World junior championships in Puerto Rico, 1989. Eamonn talks about his disappointment at missing out on the Barcelona Olympics and how he began to go off the rails with drink. Eamonn talks about being shot in the leg by the IRA and how he would win his 2nd Irish senior title just weeks afterwards. We then discuss his professional career which included a Commonwealth title and 5 defences against quality fighters such as Shea Neary, Jon Thaxton and Paul Burke. He would go on to challenge for his first world title in Manchester back in 2002 against the rising star of British boxing, Ricky Hatton. He would be the first man to floor Hatton and push him all the way in a close decision defeat. Eamonn talks about bouncing back to achieve his dream when winning the WBU world title in Cardiff in 2003. Weeks later he would become the victim of an attack when he was beaten with baseball bats and would be left with horrific injuries and face over a year out of the ring. We also discuss the end of his boxing career, moving into coaching with John Breen and having great success during this time as a team. In recent years, there have been very dark times with the awful murder of his son, Eamonn Jr in 2015. His battles with addiction have also followed Eamonn throughout his life. Back in 2018 his book ‘The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee’ would become a huge success winning multiple awards. Eamonn talks about plans for a documentary and movie in the future. Hopefully there will be many more chapters to his story.

On this weeks episode, I chat about the journey to 100 episodes and the plans for the future. A massive thank you to all my guests and to everyone that has listened over the years.

Michael begins by reflecting on the immediate aftermath of his highly controversial exit from the 2016 Olympics. Following this pivotal moment, he shifted his focus to professional boxing, opting to partner with Top Rank promotions in the United States. Michael discusses the process of relocating with his family to the U.S. and recounts his early successes in the professional arena. It wasn’t long before he found himself headlining St. Patrick’s Day events at Madison Square Garden in New York, captivating a large Irish audience. He opens up about the significant backlash he faced back home, stemming from the controversy surrounding his ring entrance music, and how some of the public's perception of him does not reflect his true character. Our conversation delves into notable bouts from his pro career, including a gratifying victory over his 2016 Olympic rival, Vladimir Nikitin, at MSG. He also secured both WBO and WBA continental titles, including a great win against former world champion TJ Doheny at Falls Park in 2021. This then positioned Michael for that much-anticipated shot at the world title against Leigh Wood in 2022. The matchup was unforgettable and Fight of the Year, but the last round defeat was the first setback in Michael's pro career. After some good wins, back-to-back defeats against Luis Alberto Lopez and Jordan Gill, Michael took a break from the ring for over a year to regroup. During this hiatus, he remained active, discovering a new passion for running and successfully completed a marathon in under three hours—a challenge he set for himself and accomplished. However, the call of boxing was undeniable, and following a 15-month absence, a recent victory has set him back on the right path. Michael continues to harbor ambitions of capturing that elusive world title, with the final chapter of his professional career yet to be written.

Paul Quinn and I debate our Top 10 Super-Middleweight's of all time. We cover fighters from the past 40 years on both sides of the pond. We debate our different criteria's and examine each boxers achievements and CV. Do you agree with our selections? Have a listen and let us know who makes your Top 10 list.

Eamonn Magill is a professional boxing referee and amateur boxing coach in North Belfast. He talks about his childhood growing up in Dublin, moving North at a young age and how he first joined the Sacred Heart Amateur Boxing Club in the Bone are of North Belfast as a kid. He would leave boxing in his teenage years, but the love of the sport was always there.

Years after Sacred Heart closed its doors, he played an instrumental role in securing the premises for the current club after it was closed for well over 10 years. Eamonn talks about the long process it took to get the club to where it is today and the massive role the club plays in his local area. He also helped launch the very successful Belfast Boxers page on social media alongside Hugh O'Halloran and he talks about some of the great experiences he had interviewing and meeting boxers from over the years.

Becoming a referee was never something Eamonn thought about and it was only by chance that he stepped in at the last minute to referee at a while collar event that set him on the path. He is now a qualified top class BBBC referee and can be seen at all the big shows in N. Ireland. We talk about some of the big events and of course some of the viral moments he has been involved in. Eamonn is a huge character and shares some hilarious stories, so this is one podcast not to be missed.

The Walsh name in County Wexford is one of the most famous in Irish boxing. Dean Walsh's family history was steeped in boxing with his father and uncles winning countless Irish titles. His uncle Billy in particular was one of Wexford's greatest sportsmen, so it was no surprise that Dean joined a boxing club at only 7 years of age. Over the course of his incredible amateur career, he would win 13 Irish titles in total.

Dean talks about the struggles he had trying to win a major medal after coming up short so many times at countless European championships at various levels. He would make the step up to elite level in 2014 when he would win his first title beating Michael Nevin in the final. He would then win back to back Irish finals against former European gold medalist, Ray Moylette in incredible finals. That illusive medal at a major championship would then come in 2015 when Dean would secure a European bronze medal in Bulgaria.

Dean opens up about the huge disappointment of missing out on Olympic qualification in 2016 and how this sent him to a dark place mentally. Issues with alcohol and fights in bars would ultimately lead to a prison sentence in 2020 which would change his life forever. Dean came out and was determined to change his ways and get back into boxing. His father, Donal played a huge part in getting him back and his love and support even in the hard times was the catalyst he needed to continue. Incredibly after being out of the sport for over 3 years, he would win back to back Irish elite titles in 2023 and 2024.

Once again Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 eluded him and professional boxing was the next step. Dean turned professional in late 2024 and has already won his first 2 fights and has an upcoming fight on DAZN in June. He talks about the great team he has at present and his ambitions for the future. Dean is hoping the Walsh name will continue to flourish in the professional ranks. Listen to his story today.

Michael Conlan grew up in West Belfast and comes from a family steeped in boxing, so it was no surprise that he would follow in his brothers footsteps to Clonard ABC at only 8 years of age. He was always a young boxer who was full of confidence in the ring and winning an Irish title in his first year set him on his way in amateur boxing. Michael opens up about going down the wrong path in his teenage years by drinking and taking various substances from as early as 12-13 years of age. A turning point came when he was selected for the Commonwealth Youth Games at 16. He was told he would have to be drug tested and this was a moment when Michael decided things had to change in his life and from that point, he dedicated himself fully to boxing.

Once Michael moved to senior level, he would soon really come to the fore and would win Ulster and Irish senior titles in 2010 and 2011. After reaching the quarter finals of the World Championships in 2011, an Olympic spot in London 2012 was secured. Michael would go on to claim a bronze medal at those unforgettable games after losing to the Cuban who would eventually claim gold. Over the next 3 years, Michael would cement himself in Irish boxing history by winning Commonwealth, European and World senior gold medals and he goes into depth about the journey to winning these major titles. Going into the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, he was the poster boy of Irish sport and alongside Katie Taylor was the favourite to claim a gold medal for Ireland.

We go into depth about the build up to the hugely controversial quarter final defeat to Russian, Vladimir Nikitin. Who can forget the famous middle finger salute to the judges and the raw interview he gave to RTE straight after the fight. Michael speaks from the heart on his amateur career and there are plenty of funny stories thrown in there as well. Listen to part 1 today of our 2 part special episode.

Paul Quinn and I chat about all the main talking points from the last month in Irish and World boxing. We review the recent huge card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium featuring the brutal war between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. We also discuss if Irish boxing now has a new star after Aaron McKenna's fantastic performance to defeat Liam Smith on the undercard. We then turn our attention to this past weekend with wins for Canelo Alvarez, Naoya Inoue, Devin Haney and Roddy Romero. We also preview some of the big shows coming up including Anto Cacace v Leigh Wood this weekend which also features Kurt Walker in a 50/50 against Liam Davies. Lastly, we chat about the announced undisputed title fights featuring Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois in Wembley in July and Canelo Alvarez v Terence Crawford in Las Vegas this September.

Danny chats to me growing up in Cork and his start in boxing. He had a very successful amateur career, winning 3 Irish National titles and represented Ireland at the European championships. He would decide to travel to Australia as many lads would in their late teens, but he would soon stumble across a boxing gym and continue his journey on the other side of the world. He would turn professional over in Australia and would win his first 3 fights before COVID would derail his career.

Danny would decide to move back home in 2020 and would begin the next chapter of his pro career in 2021. In recent years he has won fights in Ireland and in Australia to remain undefeated 9-0. In recent months a link up with manager, Dennis Hogan and being signed by Tasman promotions has allowed him to get onto the huge DAZN platform. He now has an opportunity to win his first title as he challenges for the WBC Australasia title on the undercard of Jai Opetaia's world title fight in Australia on June 8th. Danny is hoping this next fight will be just the start of the titles in his career. Listen to his story today.