262 episodes

Revealing, in-depth interviews from around the boxing world by Tris Dixon, the former editor of Boxing News, and boxing author who is an elector for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, on The Ring Ratings panel and who was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.

Boxing Life Stories Tris Dixon

    • Sport
    • 5.0 • 70 Ratings

Revealing, in-depth interviews from around the boxing world by Tris Dixon, the former editor of Boxing News, and boxing author who is an elector for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, on The Ring Ratings panel and who was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.

    Season 5: #50 Joe Calzaghe

    Season 5: #50 Joe Calzaghe

    The Welsh Dragon, Joe Calzaghe, one of the great fighters of the modern era and one of the finest ever fighters from Britain, reflects on his incredible Hall of Fame career, and Calzaghe brings the curtain down on Boxing Life Stories. For now.

    Joe talks about his dad's tea – with lumpy milk – that raised the eyebrows of the travelling HBO crew, why Joe 'The Cat' Calzaghe never happened, how nervous he was for Strictly Come Dancing, life as an introvert, the loss of his parents and his legacy. He talks about the challenges that sportsmen face in retirement and becoming a father again, to another son, called Enzo.

    Intro – 0.00-4.08 
    Calzaghe interview – 4.08-1.39.02
    Closing thoughts – 1.39.02-1.45.41
    Reflections on Boxing Life Stories with Lee Blasdale (Hanson Lee Resourcing) and Derek Andrews (Delco Safety Compliance) 1.45.42-2.49.10 
    Sign off – 2.49.10

    • 2 hrs 49 min
    Season 5: #49 Eric Donovan

    Season 5: #49 Eric Donovan

    Irish amateur standout Eric Donovan was close to boxing at the London Olympics in 2012 but instead was headed to rehab.

    Now, following a long journey into recovery, Donovan is a retired professional with an incredible story to tell.

    Donovan is a father, counsellor, trainer and husband, and he is the voice of wisdom and an engaging talker, whose incredible story – which, in professional boxing terms went against the grain and ended on a high – is about a man who is likely going to inspire future generations of Irish fighters.

    The 10th round Eric refers to in this podcast against El Hadri – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMoRVMQg4vE

    • 2 hrs 17 min
    Season 5: #48 Jim McDonnell

    Season 5: #48 Jim McDonnell

    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.

    • 1 hr 19 min
    Season 5: #47 Derek Williams

    Season 5: #47 Derek Williams

    'Sweet D' Derek Williams reflects on an incredible career that saw him win Commonwealth and European titles, while fighting the likes of Lennox Lewis, Bert Cooper, Jose Ribalta, David Bey, Hughroy Currie and Jimmy Thunder.

    Williams also travelled the US, taking dangerous fights and sparring some of the biggest names, including Gerry Cooney and Mike Tyson. 

    Now a columnist for Boxing News, Williams also looks after the youth in London, helping them by allowing them to benefit from his amazing experiences.  

    • 2 hrs 1 min
    Season 5: #46 Julius Francis

    Season 5: #46 Julius Francis

    The former heavyweight champion boxed a who's who of stars, from Mike Tyson to Vitali Klitschko and John Ruiz to Zejko Mavrovic, London's Francis was either linked to fighting them (George Foreman in Vegas, Herbie Hide and David Tua), sparred them or he boxed them.

    His colourful life saw him grow up in foster care before serving several spells in prison and living life on the wrong side of the tracks. But boxing steered him away from that, and this story charts his incredible journey, his life in and out of the ring, boxing in a Russian circus, the current heavyweight scene and that infamous Boxpark knockout.

    • 2 hrs 39 min
    Season 5: #45 Bob Arum

    Season 5: #45 Bob Arum

    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.

    • 1 hr 14 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
70 Ratings

70 Ratings

A----------------------------- ,

Insightful

Tris,
Wonderful insight into the personal stories of the fighters we usually only see in highlight reels. The British content is outstanding, like sitting down with the fighters and having a chat.

Any chance you could get Steve Bunce on the pod? Really enjoy his reports and would like to know his story.

Thanks

Rod from Brisbane ,

Insightful insights with World class guests

Liked Tris since purchasing Road to Nowhere 8 or so years back (Have re-read holds up exceptionally well)
Some great guests to scroll through including my GOAT Big George. Let’s go Tris you champ

leeds jacko ,

The best boxing podcast

Boxing life stories is the best boxing podcast I listen to and I listen to nearly them all
Triss Dixon’s knowledge on boxing and all boxers is brilliant. He reads up on his guests and when he interviews them it sounds like all the boxers / trainers /promoters are his mate
Some of these shows I won’t delete and listen over again. Callum Hancock top man
Jimmy Tibbs orsum. Kev mitchel was a fantastic show so was John Murray
Richard Towers is barmy but funny as
And don’t forget Josh warrington good luck on Saturday.

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