Boxing Life Stories - I'm calling it now

[Controversial]

A friend of mine’s son got offered a scholarship at a good private school for his football. He also got offered a contract at Huddersfield Town. He chose the school. Incredible facilities.

Good for him, better to get a decent education than rely totally on football only. A guy I work with his son got a scholarship too but for rugby.

[high tower 1]

He may have had a privileged start but by choosing a career in boxing journalism I can assure you will no longer be in that position !

[high tower 1]

It’s the best podcast out there on boxing.

Best episode for me was jimmy tibbs.

Out of all the episodes I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about Denny Mancini nor a good word about frank maloney !

[Controversial]

He may have had a privileged start but by choosing a career in boxing journalism I can assure you will no longer be in that position !

He’s also made reference to a very messy divorce on a few podcasts, so likely he got screwed over financially

[THEBUTCH]

It's very rare you hear a bad word said about Dennie Mancini.

[THEBUTCH]

Also managed to listen to the Joe Calzaghe, Gary Lockett and Nicky Piper pods. All very good.

[Coco]

I listened to the Ed Robinson one yesterday and thought it was brilliant - came across as a fantastic guy who has properly grafted his way up yet remained incredibly unassuming and humble. I'm possibly biased because I'm in media as well, but I found it way more interesting than the Nigel Benn one, for example. Some great insights into what it was like working for the Maloneys and Warrens of this world, as well as candid comments about the likes of Naz and stories such as Howard Eastman sleeping on his floor for a while!

Ditto, he comes across very well, I also thought it was better than the Benn one. Interesting that he said Maloney wasn’t always that nice and a bit of a bully.

Top fella is Ed

[THEBUTCH]

Now this one was a little bit of a turn up for the books, the Anthony Farnell interview.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and really warmed to Anthony. He's had his share of obstacles to get over, which he has. His searing honesty about his career and willingness to address things in his life after boxing was impressive.

I wasn't necessarily his greatest fan when he was boxing, but getting the chance to hear him speak about his career shone a different light on things and has now made me appreciate what a good career he had and the notable wins.

Although it wasn't mentioned in the interview unfortunately, I remember being particularly impressed when he blasted through Lee Blundell (who then went on to stun Ryan Rhodes)and earlier in his career I was lucky enough to be ringside to see Farnell beat the useful Alan Gilbert in 8 tough rounds, finishing the fight with a crunching shot.

It's great to hear him say he has no regrets, but I would have really liked to see him also challenge for some of the more traditional titles ranging from the Central Area title to the British or Commonwealth titles and even the EBU crown. He'd have won the Central Area title without any question, but he would have been more than eligible for the other three titles too.

Anthony himself admitted he used to tense up on fight night (but was much more relaxed in sparring), but you could never accuse Farnell of not trying come fight night.

[Controversial]

I listened to the Joe Hughes one today, I never realised he is pretty much a one handed fighter due to his disability. What a cheery, positive and friendly bloke though and absolutely amazing he won a European title considering his right arm doesn't really work too great. The power of positive thinking, determination and will power.

[THEBUTCH]

If I heard right, he won 2 ABA titles

[Controversial]

If I heard right, he won 2 ABA titles

Yes, from Boxing Monthly interview "Hughes is a former junior and senior ABA champion, four nations and three nations gold medallist who boxed for England six times"

It's interesting hearing how political boxing is, as he said he boxed out of a little club and they tend to get overlooked for tournaments in favour of the well known clubs, even when he had beaten the guys who got picked over him.

[THEBUTCH]

Those amateur credentials are superb for someone who is bloody good and has fully functioning limbs, let alone someone with Hughes' condition.

It's incredible !

[Arnie.]

Now this one was a little bit of a turn up for the books, the Anthony Farnell interview.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and really warmed to Anthony. He's had his share of obstacles to get over, which he has. His searing honesty about his career and willingness to address things in his life after boxing was impressive.

I wasn't necessarily his greatest fan when he was boxing, but getting the chance to hear him speak about his career shone a different light on things and has now made me appreciate what a good career he had and the notable wins.

Although it wasn't mentioned in the interview unfortunately, I remember being particularly impressed when he blasted through Lee Blundell (who then went on to stun Ryan Rhodes)and earlier in his career I was lucky enough to be ringside to see Farnell beat the useful Alan Gilbert in 8 tough rounds, finishing the fight with a crunching shot.

It's great to hear him say he has no regrets, but I would have really liked to see him also challenge for some of the more traditional titles ranging from the Central Area title to the British or Commonwealth titles and even the EBU crown. He'd have won the Central Area title without any question, but he would have been more than eligible for the other three titles too.

Anthony himself admitted he used to tense up on fight night (but was much more relaxed in sparring), but you could never accuse Farnell of not trying come fight night.

Thank you Butch

[high tower 1]

Nicky piper episode was very good too. Piper seems to have had a good retirement.

It sounded like tris was recording in the toilet again.

[JC]

Really interesting when Piper admitted he probably didn't fulfil his potential because he wasn't willing to put him self in the really uncomfortable situations to do so. He mentioned Andries going over to the Kronk after losing to Hearns.

[high tower 1]

Better for his overall health. Imagine having to spar Gerald McClellan all the time.

[Coco]

Really interesting when Piper admitted he probably didn't fulfil his potential because he wasn't willing to put him self in the really uncomfortable situations to do so. He mentioned Andries going over to the Kronk after losing to Hearns.

IMO Piper overachieved, but it's clear when he talks that he has a very high opinion of himself.

[Controversial]

Those amateur credentials are superb for someone who is bloody good and has fully functioning limbs, let alone someone with Hughes' condition.

It's incredible !

Hughes even held a world record by sparring 142 rounds without stopping, took him 9.5 hours.

https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news ... lsy-group/

[mickey1975]

Really interesting when Piper admitted he probably didn't fulfil his potential because he wasn't willing to put him self in the really uncomfortable situations to do so. He mentioned Andries going over to the Kronk after losing to Hearns.

IMO Piper overachieved, but it's clear when he talks that he has a very high opinion of himself.

I agree, Ashley and Wharton never have had a very high opinion on him.

[THEBUTCH]

I'm not so sure chaps. I really enjoyed the interview with Piper. He come across as honest, but fairly self assured, which I didn't take as cocky or boastful.

Piper could really punch and challenged 3 very good world champions.

Crawford Ashley only just beat Piper and was out on his feet in the final round. Nicky paid him the compliment of saying he was definitely the hardest puncher he faced.

I bumped into Piper at Old Street tube station years ago and have to say he was really pleasant and friendly.

[dookus]

I'm not so sure chaps. I really enjoyed the interview with Piper. He come across as honest, but fairly self assured, which I didn't take as cocky or boastful.

Piper could really punch and challenged 3 very good world champions.

Crawford Ashley only just beat Piper and was out on his feet in the final round. Nicky paid him the compliment of saying he was definitely the hardest puncher he faced.

I bumped into Piper at Old Street tube station years ago and have to say he was really pleasant and friendly.

I agree. I thought he came across very well

[margaret thatcher]

Was Barber that good?

[coghaugen11]

Was Barber that good?

Sparred with McClellan so was worn at least.

[THEBUTCH]

Errr, how about good champion, instead of very good ? Barber certainly wasn't a soft touch.

[veriton]

He may have had a privileged start but by choosing a career in boxing journalism I can assure you will no longer be in that position !

Ha! True! He's an excellent journalist and has also put in the hard yards with Road to Nowhere etc. They should put him in the IBHOF for Boxing Life Stories....I notice a few people are trying to copy him now but it's not as easy as just putting a mic in front of people. Dixon knows his onions and he also knows when/how to ask questions.