Boxing Life Stories - I'm calling it now

[Deserter]

We are going to look back in years to come and say that in terms of British boxing coverage, Tris Dixon will have left the greatest ever legacy with this series of podcasts.

I say this as someone who has immense respect and regard for the work of Harry Mullan, Hugh McIlvanney, Donald McCrae, Graham Houston, Matt Christie and numerous others. However, the podcast format combined with Dixon's skill as a journalist and his rapport with the interviewees mean you're able to get a unique level of depth and breadth in terms of the subject matter. The amount of stories and insights you get when most interviews are lasting over an hour is unparalleled and it's made all the more impactful by hearing it 'straight from the horse's mouth'.

I listened to the Kevin Mitchell one yesterday and I can't help but think that already, with 46 interviews on the record in just under a year, having heard everything from how Joe Calzaghe is trying to cope with the loss of his father through to the crazy, crazy world of Richard Towers, this is never going to be topped.

Appreciate this may sound like hyperbole if you haven't already been listening, but I honestly stand by every word. On the assumption the final number of the series is going to potentially be in the hundreds, there will never be a better body of work on the British boxing scene.

[dookus]

We are going to look back in years to come and say that in terms of British boxing coverage, Tris Dixon will have left the greatest ever legacy with this series of podcasts.

I say this as someone who has immense respect and regard for the work of Harry Mullan, Hugh McIlvanney, Donald McCrae, Graham Houston, Matt Christie and numerous others. However, the podcast format combined with Dixon's skill as a journalist and his rapport with the interviewees mean you're able to get a unique level of depth and breadth in terms of the subject matter. The amount of stories and insights you get when most interviews are lasting over an hour is unparalleled and it's made all the more impactful by hearing it 'straight from the horse's mouth'.

I listened to the Kevin Mitchell one yesterday and I can't help but think that already, with 46 interviews on the record in just under a year, having heard everything from how Joe Calzaghe is trying to cope with the loss of his father through to the crazy, crazy world of Richard Towers, this is never going to be topped.

Appreciate this may sound like hyperbole if you haven't already been listening, but I honestly stand by every word. On the assumption the final number of the series is going to potentially be in the hundreds, there will never be a better body of work on the British boxing scene.

You may well be right. The honesty and depth of these interviews is astounding. How he does it each time I don't know.

[Noxy]

Indeed, I‘ve just listened to Richard Towers. Flamin‘ Nora!

[Gnome]

I stopped listening a while ago because the sound quality was abysmal, I couldn't make out what the people were saying half the time. Has it improved?

[Noxy]

Towers was fine, I'm on Couch now - also good. I don't think I'll be working much today.

[leejonesjnr]

I stopped listening a while ago because the sound quality was abysmal, I couldn't make out what the people were saying half the time. Has it improved?

It’s the same.
I love it but it has given me the fear a few times as I listen in the car and every now and then it sounds like a wheel has fallen off or the engine has dropped out

[samwbr]

All fine on headphones. Tris is doing this on a shoestring. I'd happily for it, it's consistently the best pod out there any subject not just boxing.
He should be on tv more as as a pundit too, knows what he's about.

[Deserter]

I stopped listening a while ago because the sound quality was abysmal, I couldn't make out what the people were saying half the time. Has it improved?

Still not studio quality, because as samwbr says, this is a labour of love effort on a shoestring, but on average things have improved IMO. Can't say I can think of any recent episode where it's been so bad it's been an impediment to listening.

[Gnome]

I'll give it another go. I have really enjoyed the ones I could hear! Richard Towers' story is too good to miss, I suspect.

[Noxy]

Jane Couch! So interesting was that. I was wondering what had happened to her, she's just moved on from the sport.

[margaret thatcher]

I'd thought this was on some pay service so hadn't even bothered to check any. Heard my first one the other day and certainly will be listening to some of the others.

[forcefraser]

The one with Calzaghe is excellent

[physioneil]

Hear hear...

Been listening from the beginning. So many great guests, with insights straight from the horses mouth. Loved the Glenn McCrory one in the early days and thought how can Tris top this. Well, he does week after week. A top quality boxing journo working at the top of his game.

If you haven't read Road to Nowhere, i'd highly recommend. Up there with Dark Trade in my top 3 boxing books.

[veriton]

Agree. These podcasts are consistently excellent. Dixon is a trained journalist and it shows. He asks the right questions at the right time. A perfect example is the Callum Hancock one, Hancock tells an incredibly harrowing story, it's awful and when he pauses there is a pause in the interview and I was thinking 'how the fk is this going to continue' and then dixon asks a perfect follow up that kept the whole thing moving. listening to the questions is almost as good as listening to the answers sometimes.

its almost impossible to pick out the best ones, but i have really enjoyed farnell, dominic ingle and billy graham. the one with calzaghe had me choking up while i was driving when he talked about enzo. dixon gets them all to open up, its clear how much the fighters and trainers respect him and vice versa.

what also has been a surprise is how articulate a lot of the boxers are. jane couch was thoughful and intelligent and not at all as i had previously perceived her to be. she talked at length at how the media had pigeon holed her and this was a chance to show her true self and it was extremely impressive. likewise with john murray - had no idea he had done so well at school.

i read BN every week, BM every month and often the interviews are a bit identikit - it's all the usual pre-fight nonsense about training etc but these are in-depth, bare and honest reflections on so many levels.

dixon has provided a great gift to boxing fans. i just hope he's managed to make a few quid out of it

[markinmidd]

its Best thing in podland! Billy Graham’s and John Murray’s my favourites up to now but Iv not heard them all. It truly is supurb

[TopGun]

So off the back of this thread I listened to Richard Towers podcast. Its a must listen guys! What a story!

Also listened to Kevin Mitchell too. Going to get through a lot of these.

Towers story would make a great film!

[gerryd77]

Richard towers sounds like a headcase in the same mould as Paul Sykes in many ways.

[samwbr]

Richard towers sounds like a headcase in the same mould as Paul Sykes in many ways.

Hes not a nonce.

[gerryd77]

Richard towers sounds like a headcase in the same mould as Paul Sykes in many ways.

Hes not a nonce.

Many ways. Not every way.

[coneye]

Well excuse my ignorance , But whats a podcast , and how do i listen , or are they only in the UK .

Actually , i just got with the times and googled it , just put the name in and it came up , Also told me theres apps for my phone , so would'nt mind listening to these when i'm driving , but there seems to be loads of apps available , what app should i download to get the life stories anyone know , its a samsung

[veriton]

Well excuse my ignorance , But whats a podcast , and how do i listen , or are they only in the UK .

Actually , i just got with the times and googled it , just put the name in and it came up , Also told me theres apps for my phone , so would'nt mind listening to these when i'm driving , but there seems to be loads of apps available , what app should i download to get the life stories anyone know , its a samsung

a podcast is basically recorded audio that you can download at will for free over the internet.

ive got a samsung. download a free app called "podbean" from the play store. once it's downloaded you can search for boxing life stories. If you follow it, it will automatically download a new one when it is ready (i have mine set so it only downloads over wi-fi). the whole archive is there so get stuck in! i'd also recommned the 5 Live boxing with Costello and Bunce podcast.

[Controversial]

Well excuse my ignorance , But whats a podcast , and how do i listen , or are they only in the UK .

Actually , i just got with the times and googled it , just put the name in and it came up , Also told me theres apps for my phone , so would'nt mind listening to these when i'm driving , but there seems to be loads of apps available , what app should i download to get the life stories anyone know , its a samsung

The Boxing Life Stories podcast is on Spotify too if you have that

[handsofstone]

Ive been hearing of this podcast for a while now but have had no clue how to get hold of it, ive never downloaded anything before and don't have iTunes, ive got a Samsung phone so I'll get that app Veriton mentioned and get cracking

[Cyclops]

Well excuse my ignorance , But whats a podcast , and how do i listen , or are they only in the UK .

Actually , i just got with the times and googled it , just put the name in and it came up , Also told me theres apps for my phone , so would'nt mind listening to these when i'm driving , but there seems to be loads of apps available , what app should i download to get the life stories anyone know , its a samsung

Download the Podcasts app if you’ve got an iPhone. It’s as simple as that. Podcasts are great.

Edit: sorry you explicitly say you have a Samsung. I don’t know about that one. Anyway figure it out as the podcast world is a very interesting one

[Controversial]

i'd also recommend the 5 Live boxing with Costello and Bunce podcast.

Yes that’s good too