The Rocky Road

By News Ireland

An Irish boxing podcast that fans of all sports will love. No one gets to the top without overcoming adversity, in sport or in life. But as Rocky Balboa said, ‘it ain’t how hard

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FAQs about The Rocky Road:

How many episodes does The Rocky Road have?

The podcast currently has 233 episodes available.

The Rocky Road episodes:

November 19, 2025 Zaur Antia - Your Work Here Is Done
Zaur Antia – your mission is complete. You created universal boxers and delivered medals by the bucketload. Ten Olympic medals came Ireland’s way during your time in charge of the boxing team. As news filters through that the Georgian guru has stepped down as Irish boxing’s head honcho, The Rocky Road spoke with Beijing 2008 Olympian John Joe Joyce, who was there on his first day in Ireland 22 years ago, to hear the incredible, remarkable story of Zaur. How a man with no English could command a room of young boxers. How he convinced them to back themselves, trust their skills, dedicate themselves and keep improving via the skills he was imparting, and the discipline he demanded from them. How he led the way as Ireland won an astounding ten Olympic medals during his time with the team. John Joe takes us from the early days to the current ones, as it’s turned full circle now and his club boxer, Patsy Joyce, recently bagged one of Antia’s final medals as Ireland’s king of the cornermen. He reckons the Georgian is Irish boxing's Jack Charlton. But we know there's only one Zaur Antia – and we salute you.
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41min
November 10, 2025 Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2 Preview
Veteran boxing journalist Wally Downes Jr of The Sun joins The Rocky Road to break down this Saturday’s rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. Wally discusses the intense rivalry between the duo – or is it – along with the promotion’s lack of media engagement ahead of the showdown. Curious, or intentional? We also wonder if non-title money fights are the way forward for big-name fighters in the business before Wally makes what might be the first comparison between UK boxing and FFP in football.
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44min
November 05, 2025 Tommy Hyde - Homecoming
Undefeated contender Tommy Hyde (13-0) joins The Rocky Road after conquering rings in America, Australia and Spain since his last fight in Cork. We talk about his upcoming homecoming fight in Parochial Hall on November 29, break down his latest win over Patrick Allotey, and get his expert pundit's prediction for the massive Eubank Jr v Benn II rematch. Plus, Tommy reveals the truth behind his unexpected career turn as a food influencer…
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45min
October 30, 2025 Conrad Cummings - Life After the Final Bell
We’re joined by a man who was once a five-time Irish amateur champion, a World Series of Boxing star, and a professional middleweight known for his rugged, relentless style: it’s Tyrone’s Conrad Cummings. I first interviewed Conrad back in April 2013, where he told me incredible stories about fighting for Mexico in the WSB - I remember dubbing him The Irish Mexican, not the first and not the last of his kind - and shared his dreams of becoming a full-time pro. He went on to achieve that dream, amassing a solid record of 17 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, before retiring in 2021 on medical grounds. We're starting this conversation with the question he recently posed to himself and the boxing world: When the fighting is over... what exactly is next? Conrad talks about beginning boxing as ‘a chubby nine-year-old’, early amateur rivalries, his different mentors over the years, how being seen as a puncher got in his head, the pride he takes in his career, why skills pay the bills in his approach as a trainer, and a meeting with a former Irish champion who survived a plane crash…
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1h 24min
October 23, 2025 Peter O'Donnell & Jim Moore remembered
Irish boxing has suffered a profound loss, mourning two men who dedicated their lives to the sport and shaped generations of champions. Today, we pause to celebrate and honour the immense legacies of Peter O’Donnell and Jim Moore. Donegal's Peter O’Donnell, affectionately known as "Mr Boxing," was a club founder, ring announcer and fight fanatic. We’re joined by his great friend, journalist Chris McNulty, to talk about the man whose influence stretched from the small parish of Raphoe right up to the National Stadium. Then, we pay tribute to the late Jim Moore, the dedicated co-founder of Arklow Boxing Club and a pivotal figure in the IABA High Performance Unit. Jim's coaching genius helped drive Ireland's success on the world stage, coaching the next generation to major medals, including at the inaugural Youth Olympics. We are joined by Jim’s best friend and a coach he mentored, Jimmy Payne, to share personal stories of a man he will never forget.
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52min
October 14, 2025 A New Dawn in Irish Boxing
What. A. Night. JB Boxing Promotions promised the most competitive all-Irish card in years and it certainly delivered in Dublin's National Stadium. The Rocky Road was there for it all. We hear from a buzzing Podge Collins who scored the best KO of the night when he took out Michael Osborne to move his record to 4-0. Peter Carr beat Sean Murray in an all-Leinster cracker and the stage was set for the Irish title fight between Daniel O'Sullivan and Dean Walsh. We hear from both men after perhaps the greatest Irish title fight at the venue. Christina Desmond was one of four debutants to emerge victorious - the others being Davey Joyce, Sarah Murphy and Danny Fakoyede. We hear from the Cork boxer who was roared on by double Olympic champ Kellie Harrington. Next up we're in Kevin Cronin's dressing room after he finally got over the line at domestic level, defeating Cathal Crowley in a gripping Kerry-Cork clash. Cronin’s His manager Mick Conlan joined us too, to celebrate his man's win but also question the merits of the decision against Walsh, who he also manages. Spike O'Sullivan returned after 19 months out to outpoint Mateusz Pawlowski - and we caught up with the Cork veteran. We then sat down to chew over the night itself with promoter Jay Byrne and Paul Ryan, who beat Edward Dononvan in the headliner. Both boxers will be given another opportunity to impress after putting themselves on the line - and you can hear from them at the end of the show. A busy show on a busy night - it's the Rocky Road to Dublin
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51min
October 03, 2025 Spike O'Sullivan - Back to Work
He's back! At 41, Cork's own Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan joins us on The Rocky Road as he prepares for his 38th professional fight. He's back for one reason and one reason only - having achieved most of his dreams in the sport, there's one thing left to accomplish: to win a world middleweight title. He discusses the current state of play at 160lbs and reveals he's open to a showdown with fellow Irish contender Aaron 'The Silencer' McKenna.

Spike also shares incredible stories from his weekend at the Atlantic City Hall of Fame alongside titans like Roberto Duran, Steve Collins and Vinny Paz - diving into how he befriended the subjects of major boxing biopics. We also get his favourite boxing movies, personal memories from his 2008 pro debut, his close relationship with Irish title contenders Daniel O'Sullivan and Cathal Crowley, and his tribute to legend Ricky Hatton. Plus, hear why this veteran world-traveller also proudly holds the title of the 'Flat Pack King of Cork'.
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56min
September 29, 2025 Christina Desmond - Rebel Rising
Today, we sit down with a boxer who faces a unique challenge, balancing two of the most disciplined jobs in the country. She's a top-tier amateur star, a true trailblazer for Irish boxing, and she is a serving member of An Garda Síochána. We are talking to Cork's own Christina Desmond, who is set to make her professional debut on October 10 at the National Stadium on the 'A New Dawn' show. Here, Christina tells us about growing up on a farm in the Gaelteacht, the backing she gets from that community up and down the country, picking boxing over Cork football and fighting alongside team-mates such as Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington, self-doubt, comebacks and battling every day to make her late mam, Helen, proud. As the only female on the Cork Boxing Wall of Fame, she’s looking to be fast-tracked in the professional ranks and is Ireland’s most decorated female since KT go join the paid ranks – so if Jake Paul wants to get in touch, the MVP crew are welcome to get in touch.
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1h 8min
September 14, 2025 Lewis Crocker: World Champion
Well now, who saw that coming? Lewis Crocker beat Paddy Donovan for the second time in 2025 to claim the IBF world welterweight title in Belfast on Saturday night. The first fight in March came his way after The Real Deal was disqualified. The Croc – who was written off by everyone coming into the rematch – scored two knockdowns this time around at Windsor Park, yet there were still howls of controversy when his name was read out as the winner by split decision at the end of their 20th round together in six months. The Rocky Road headed for Belfast for the Irish boxing night of the year, with Kevin Byrne joined by fellow fight writers David Mohan, Joe O’Neill, Gavan Casey and Peter Carroll to digest it all. What’s next for Crocker? What’s next for Donovan? And why does everyone keep mentioning Conor Benn? It’s all here
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50min
September 04, 2025 The Big Fights Preview
Kevin Byrne catches up with Jason Quigley, Kieran Molloy, Niall Barrett and Jay Byrne to preview a huge night in both Irish and world boxing as Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan rematch for a world title, Callum Walsh takes the next step up in his career and Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez face off in the blockbuster fight of 2025 on September 13.
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48min

FAQs about The Rocky Road:

How many episodes does The Rocky Road have?

The podcast currently has 233 episodes available.