Boxing Life Stories - I'm calling it now

[THEBUTCH]

AAA didn't feel that he was being pushed enough or getting the fights he was promised on the world stage. For example, If Arthur is correct in what he was saying about how the Nigel Wright fight came about then you could understand his mistrust at that point.

When I look back it does seem a little odd that a boxer like Alex only got one crack at a world title and even that was an interim version. Not being nasty, but when you consider(for example )the amount of world title shots Martin Murray & Paul Smith got, AAA was a better, more successful boxer than both of them.

[THEBUTCH]

Yes Coco, they discussed the Gomez cracker. He doesn't sound bitter about the loss and views it as positive that he was involved in such a good fight. He didn't really have any problem with Gomez and said the pair of them just wanted to entertain the fans pre fight and during the fight.

He did want a rematch but says Gomez wanted £150k so priced himself out of it happening. Not that he holds it against Gomez, because he agreed they got well underpaid for the first fight.

Also answered a listeners question about why he smiled at the TV camera when he got knocked down and said it was better than crying !

Well worth a listen mate

[Coco]

AAA didn't feel that he was being pushed enough or getting the fights he was promised on the world stage. For example, If Arthur is correct in what he was saying about how the Nigel Wright fight came about then you could understand his mistrust at that point.

When I look back it does seem a little odd that a boxer like Alex only got one crack at a world title and even that was an interim version. Not being nasty, but when you consider(for example )the amount of world title shots Martin Murray & Paul Smith got, AAA was a better, more successful boxer than both of them.

I guess it's much harder for a promoter to get vacant shots v TBC than bringing their man in as an opponent.
But yes at the time AAA was thought to be the best thing since sliced bread and wasn't pushed on.

[THEBUTCH]

Arthur appeared an easy sell too and above all, was a really good boxer.

Think he had 5 British title wins and 4 European title wins. That would have been enough to qualify some boxers for more than 1 shot at a world title.

He did seem put out about missing out on fighting Marco Antonio Barrera.

Despite him being upbeat in mindset, he does say he thinks he achieved only 40% of his potential. Not sure I go along with that, but agree there should have been more.

[THEBUTCH]

Ticked Andy Lee and Glen Catley off the list.

For some reason I didn't enjoy the Andy Lee Pod as much as I thought I would, but well worth listening to.

Glenn Catley's was interesting and didn't get an easy ride according to his accounts. I had forgotten just how many tough overseas assignments he got in his last 10 fights or so.

Both Pods could be a little downbeat at times, but that probably reflected the up & down nature of their careers and excuses were being used for losses, maybe justifiably so in certain cases.

[Nightmare Roy]

Episode 100 went up today Nigel Benn, I really liked the Steve Wood one recently

[coghaugen11]

Hats off. Wow. Fitting to have Nigel Benn for #100

[coghaugen11]

Regarding Eubanks sparring with Johnny Nelson; 'Played with him (Nelson), beat him up' Eubank apparently said.

Well, we will have to take that as gospel then.

Considering this is Eubank talking, pretty much. Renowned for his integrity is Chris.

[mickey1975]

Regarding Eubanks sparring with Johnny Nelson; 'Played with him (Nelson), beat him up' Eubank apparently said.

Well, we will have to take that as gospel then.

Considering this is Eubank talking, pretty much. Renowned for his integrity is Chris.

What about him lying when Theroux called him out on being teetotal?

[margaret thatcher]

Is it Chris himself who claimed the 180 iq?

[coghaugen11]

Well, we will have to take that as gospel then.

Considering this is Eubank talking, pretty much. Renowned for his integrity is Chris.

What about him lying when Theroux called him out on being teetotal?

He stated he doesn't drink in public. He drank on his own in his hotel room.

[coghaugen11]

Is it Chris himself who claimed the 180 iq?

It was scored as 180 on a test.

[coghaugen11]

The background of a great person like Nigel Benn is always interesting. The background of an average person or average fighter is just not though, for me.

[Deserter]

The background of a great person like Nigel Benn is always interesting. The background of an average person or average fighter is just not though, for me.

What do you mean by an average fighter? Are you saying for example, that the story of how Joe Hughes has overcome his physical challenges to fight for the European title etc is just not interesting?
Accept everyone has their own viewpoints, but for me one of the beauties of boxing is that it has so many interesting characters and many of them aren't considered 'greats'.
Ironically, as much as I love Benn, I found the interview one of the least interesting in the series and certainly didn't compare to some of those featuring non-greats....

[mickey1975]

Crawford Ashley was a good one.

[Deserter]

Crawford Ashley was a good one.

Yep, agree completely Mickey. Was fascinating to hear how he's become such a spiritual guy.

[THEBUTCH]

Claude Abrahms was interesting, especially as he goes way back to the days of Harry Mullen at Boxing News.

Although he just seemed to go missing after he handed over the reigns to Tris Dixon, it was only through the interview that I realised he deliberately stepped away from boxing to get it out of his system.

[Controversial]

as much as I love Benn, I found the interview one of the least interesting in the series and certainly didn't compare to some of those featuring non-greats....

I agree, I've listened to Benn interviewed on another podcast and it was pretty much word for word the same stories and anecdotes as his one with Tris, it's like he has memorised a script and just repeats it.

[coghaugen11]

Nigel does do that bless him

[coghaugen11]

Nicky Piper before the fight IQ of 147, after it about 1

Littles fellas, spliffing

BMW, Terraced house, might have a shot at the British. I might!

[THEBUTCH]

Tony Simms interview good as well

[dookus]

as much as I love Benn, I found the interview one of the least interesting in the series and certainly didn't compare to some of those featuring non-greats....

I agree, I've listened to Benn interviewed on another podcast and it was pretty much word for word the same stories and anecdotes as his one with Tris, it's like he has memorised a script and just repeats it.

It does at least have a wonderfully Alan Partridge bit of editing in the preview at the start:

Tris: "Would you be here if she hadn't been with you?"
Nigel: (voice cracking) "No, there are two places I would be.. mental hospital or six foot under."

Tris: (strangely cheerful) "Hullo! And welcome to Boxing Life Stories with me, Tris Dixon!" *theme music*

[mickey1975]

What’s Nigel supposed to say? He’s done thousands of after dinner speeches as well, it’s what happened. That’s why I prefer the likes of Ashley on.

[Deserter]

What’s Nigel supposed to say? He’s done thousands of after dinner speeches as well, it’s what happened. That’s why I prefer the likes of Ashley on.

That's where Tris' role is critical - it's an in-depth interview, not a prepared speech - what he's done successfully is get beneath the surface even with those fighters who've already been in the public eye a lot, but he didn't succeed on this occasion (which is obviously partly due to Benn's own desire to keep the interview within certain parameters).

[orbtastic]

I'd imagine with a few fighters it's Sisyphean to get them to deviate off their well trodden path of stories/cliches/jokes. Can you imagine trying to get an inciteful, introspective interview out of Ricky Hatton, for example. It's like asking Khan to give you his innermost thoughts on anything or asking him to explain quantum mechanics to the lay person.