Boxing Life Stories

Australian star Barry Michael was a world super-featherweight champion who has one of the best stories in boxing.
He won the title in a war with Melbourne rival Lester Ellis, a former student of Michael's and future friend but at the time there was a real feud. The story of that fight alone is incredible.
Then there were fights on the road, in Africa, Indonesia, the UK and in Hawaii, rumoured bouts with the likes of Azumah Nelson, Barry McGuigan, Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and fellow Australian Jeff Fenech, but they failed to materialise.
Barry is a well-renowned broadcaster, these days, but he refers back to the Melbourne criminal underworld that was heavily involved with boxing back in the 1980s, and a violent fight with a gangster and his henchmen that, in short, spelt the end of Michael's career.

One of the leading promoters of all-time, Top Rank boss Bob Arum talks about the big fights, the big names and much more as he reflects on his incredible career in boxing.
Arum recalls the big nights of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, the Four Kings era of Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns, his time with Manny Pacquiao and much more.
Arum discusses meeting his wife, Lovee, their first date, losing his son, John, in a tragic accident, how he feels promoting a sport that takes so much physically from the athletes and how he feels about his arch-rival Don King today.

Steve Robinson has one of the great stories in British boxing as a bonafide Cinderella Man.
The former WBO featherweight champion was seemingly going nowhere, losing close fights, losing on the road and condemned to the 'also-ran' pile before his life changed with a phone call.
Having lost a bout in France, he was called at two day's notice to fight for a world title. He took the shot and won, and then proved he belonged with a string of impressive title defences against the likes of Colin McMillan, Paul Hodkinson and Duke McKenzie. However, he was scalped after seven defences by a brilliant upstart named Prince Naseem Hamed and while he still had a European title win in him he was back to fighting on the road and losing tight decisions away from him.
Now, still super-fit, Robinson looks back on his career with pride and discusses whether he gets the credit he is due and whether he was ultimately satisfied when he left the ring behind for the final time.
Boxing Life Stories is now on PATREON.
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Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE RESOURCING who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’
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Former European champion and world title contender Jim McDonnell talks about the big fights, against the likes of Azumah Nelson, Barry McGuigan and Brian Mitchell, the devastating knockout loss to Kenny Vice, being part of the famous Royal Oak stable and becoming a top trainer, working with the likes of James DeGale and Danny Williams.
Jimmy Mac, as he known in boxing, was a ferocious trainer, and he talks about his drive, wanting to be like Alan Ball on the football pitch, running sub-three hour marathons, his rise up through the ranks and why the final loss of his career, which came in Slovakia and against the advice of the British Boxing Board of Control, was one of the best things he has ever done.

Former world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall has worked as a pundit since retiring from the ring. He's covered the Olympics for more than 20 years as well as big fights in the UK and overseas, working for a host of networks including the BBC and BT Sport. But Richie had a fabulous career of his own. He won Commonwealth gold and Olympic bronze, losing in the Seoul Olympics to the brilliant Roy Jones Jnr. As a pro, trained by his dad Len, he won 26 and lost just three times, boxing the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Markus Beyer, Glenn Catley, Keith Holmes, Sugarboy Malinga and Silvio Branco. Now a Team GB coach, this is possibly the most intimate interview of his career. He talks about his transition to 'civilian' life after boxing, the big fights, his late father and the contests he could have had. There's the crazy stories around the Holmes fight in the US, his friendship with Calzaghe and much more. Boxing Life Stories is now on Patreon. You can help support us through another 100 episodes and help us to grow by visiting www.patreon.com/trisdixon Boxing Life Stories is bought to you by HANSON LEE who were voted “The UK's Best Specialist Insurance-Sector Recruitment Firm for 2020” in the Corporate Excellence Awards. ‘Not only do we find the best people, we’ll help you retain them.' Discover more at HansonLee.com’ AND Delco Safety Compliance, who are a leading provider of professional fire, asbestos, and safety services to businesses nationwide. They offer one expert point of contact for all of your fire, health and safety compliance needs. Find out more at www.delcosafety.co.uk Community: twitter @trisdixon instagram @trisdixon