The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing

By Christopher Ryan and James Cooney

Welcome to "The Fighting Life", where we explore the lives and times of the boxers who've risked it all in ring. "The Fighting Life" takes you on a captivating journey through the decades, exploring t... more

· Society & Culture
· Sports
· History

66 ratings

FAQs about The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing:

How many episodes does The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing episodes:

April 29, 2025 The Short and Violent Life of Stanley Ketchel
Stanley Ketchel, the Michigan Assassin, was one of the most ferocious fighters of his generation. His fearless, all-action style saw him rip through the middleweight ranks and earn fame across America. But his life outside the ring was as wild as the punches he threw and at just 24-years-old he was murdered, shot in the back like the Wild West outlaws he admired. In this podcast we trace Ketchel's rise from hobo brawler to heavyweight contender, before investigating his murder on a ranch in Missouri. Pop in your mouthguard and fasten your groin guard, because it's a hard-hitting story from the opening bell to the final count.
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32min
February 02, 2025 Frank Slavin: Adventurer, Soldier and Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champ
Today, we're going back to the dawn of modern boxing, when brutish bare-knuckle contests gave way to only slightly less brutal glove fights. And we're telling the story of Frank Paddy Slavin, bare-knuckle champion, adventurer, and war veteran. A lot of listeners will never have heard of Frank Slavin, but in his time, the Australian heavyweight could stake a claim to being the toughest man on the planet.
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41min
October 28, 2024 The Tale of "Two Ton" Tony Galento
Throughout this podcast, we've told stories of boxing greats – fighters who rose to fame on the back of boundless talent and unrelenting hard work. Today's subject isn't one of those fighters. He was lazy, overweight, reckless, and downright dirty. But one night at Yankee Stadium in 1939, he almost pulled off the greatest upset in boxing history against the heavyweight champion of the world.
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28min
August 15, 2024 Sonny Liston: The Original “Baddest Man on the Planet”
Feared inside the ring and out, Sonny Liston was the most intimidating heavyweight boxer to ever climb between the ropes.

At his best, he crushed the greatest fighters in his division as he forged a path to the heavyweight title. But his was a life of crime, violence and mayhem. Even Mike Tyson once said, Sonny Liston made him look like a boy scout.

Often reduced to a brute by the media or presented as a misunderstood object of pity, Liston was one of the most enigmatic of champions. Today we shed some light on this tragic figure.

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33min
May 22, 2024 Kid McCoy: Boxing Champ, Con Man, Killer, Hero
A hobo, a heavyweight boxer, and a Hollywood star. A suspected jewellery thief, and a convicted killer. It sounds like a collection of characters from a Tarantino film, but it's all one man. Kid McCoy packed more into his life than seems possible. As a boxer, he was known for his dirty tricks as much as his superior skills, while outside the ring, his escapades often made front page news. Born with the mundane name of Norman Selby, the Indiana native carved out a persona and career that was anything but dull.
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34min
February 22, 2024 Jack Johnson: Boxing's First Black Heavyweight Champ
In 1910, Halley's Comet swung by Earth, lighting up the night sky, inspiring both awe and dread amongst the American public. In the same year, Jack Johnson was at the height of his reign as world heavyweight champion. The first black heavyweight champion, Johnson blazed his own trail through the American psyche. Brasher than Ali, more brilliant than Floyd Mayweather, and badder than Mike Tyson, Jack Johnson lived life on his own terms.

While he dominated the best boxers in his era, he upset the establishment with his love of fast cars and fast women. He really is on the most colourful characters in the history of the sport. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode of The Fighting Life as much as we enjoyed making it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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35min
January 10, 2024 Tommy Burns: Boxing's Smallest Heavyweight Champ
Tommy Burns only stood at 5'7" but that didn't stop him from rising to become heavyweight champion of the world. The pint-sized Canadian beat the top big men of four countries, and his world conquering exploits saw him earn his nickname, "Napoleon of the Ring". But in 1908, Burns met his Waterloo fighting Jack Johnson, who became the first black heavyweight champion of the world. And after that loss, his achievements were dismissed and his name forgotten. Listen to this podcast, and learn why he's a man who deserves to be celebrated.
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25min
December 03, 2023 Jim Jeffries: Boxing's Fallen Hero
In this episode of The Fighting Life we're telling the story of a heavyweight boxer who reigned as champion from 1899 to 1905. He was big, strong and quick, with incredible endurance. Hailed as a Hercules of the ring in his era, today he's a footnote to history, best known for his loss to Jack Johnson, in what was one of the ugliest scenes in boxing history. Find out where it all went wrong for James J Jeffries.
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31min
October 26, 2023 Peter Jackson, Boxing's Uncrowned King
Born in the West Indies, Peter Jackson landed in Sydney, Australia, around 1880, and boxed under the tuition of Larry Foley. He went on to become the greatest heavyweight of his era, fighting 28 of the best men of England and America between 1888 and 1892, and losing to none. Memorable fights included his 61-round draw with James J. Corbett and his victory over Frank Slavin "Paddy" Slavin.

Known as Peter the Great or The Black Prince to his fans, Jackson was widely considered the greatest boxer of his era. But he was denied a title shot against John L Sullivan, who refused to risk his belt against a black man. Corbett also avoided Jackson once he became heavyweight champ. This is his story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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44min
September 27, 2023 Bob Fitzsimmons: The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall
English born, New Zealand raised, and Australian trained, Bob Fitzsimmons was boxing's first triple-crown king, and one of the heaviest hitters of all time. Follow his story from a blacksmith's forge in Timaru, on the South Island of New Zealand, to the greatest stage of all, fighting Jim Corbett for the heavyweight world title in Carson City, Nevada.
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30min

FAQs about The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing:

How many episodes does The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

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The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing

FAQs about The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing:

How many episodes does The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing have?

The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing episodes:

FAQs about The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing:

How many episodes does The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing have?

More shows like The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing

Stuff You Should Know

Fight Disciples Podcast

Froch On Fighting