The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing

Christopher Ryan and James Cooney

Welcome to "The Fighting Life", where we explore the lives and times of the boxers who've risked it all in ring. "The Fighting Life" takes you on a captivating journey through the decades, exploring the evolution of boxing, from its bare-knuckle origins to the glitzy, high-stakes showdowns of today. From the tales of iconic champs to stories unsung heroes, we're your ringside seat to it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 29/04/2025

    The Short and Violent Life of Stanley Ketchel

    Stanley Ketchel, the Michigan Assassin, was one of the most ferocious fighters of his generation. His fearless, all-action style saw him rip through the middleweight ranks and earn fame across America. But his life outside the ring was as wild as the punches he threw and at just 24-years-old he was murdered, shot in the back like the Wild West outlaws he admired. In this podcast we trace Ketchel's rise from hobo brawler to heavyweight contender, before investigating his murder on a ranch in Missouri. Pop in your mouthguard and fasten your groin guard, because it's a hard-hitting story from the opening bell to the final count. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min

  2. 02/02/2025

    Frank Slavin: Adventurer, Soldier and Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champ

    Today, we're going back to the dawn of modern boxing, when brutish bare-knuckle contests gave way to only slightly less brutal glove fights. And we're telling the story of Frank Paddy Slavin, bare-knuckle champion, adventurer, and war veteran. A lot of listeners will never have heard of Frank Slavin, but in his time, the Australian heavyweight could stake a claim to being the toughest man on the planet.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  3. 28/10/2024

    The Tale of "Two Ton" Tony Galento

    Throughout this podcast, we've told stories of boxing greats – fighters who rose to fame on the back of boundless talent and unrelenting hard work. Today's subject isn't one of those fighters. He was lazy, overweight, reckless, and downright dirty. But one night at Yankee Stadium in 1939, he almost pulled off the greatest upset in boxing history against the heavyweight champion of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  4. 15/08/2024

    Sonny Liston: The Original “Baddest Man on the Planet”

    Feared inside the ring and out, Sonny Liston was the most intimidating heavyweight boxer to ever climb between the ropes.  At his best, he crushed the greatest fighters in his division as he forged a path to the heavyweight title. But his was a life of crime, violence and mayhem. Even Mike Tyson once said, Sonny Liston made him look like a boy scout.  Often reduced to a brute by the media or presented as a misunderstood object of pity, Liston was one of the most enigmatic of champions. Today we shed some light on this tragic figure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  5. 22/05/2024

    Kid McCoy: Boxing Champ, Con Man, Killer, Hero

    A hobo, a heavyweight boxer, and a Hollywood star. A suspected jewellery thief, and a convicted killer. It sounds like a collection of characters from a Tarantino film, but it's all one man. Kid McCoy packed more into his life than seems possible. As a boxer, he was known for his dirty tricks as much as his superior skills, while outside the ring, his escapades often made front page news. Born with the mundane name of Norman Selby, the Indiana native carved out a persona and career that was anything but dull. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  6. 22/02/2024

    Jack Johnson: Boxing's First Black Heavyweight Champ

    In 1910, Halley's Comet swung by Earth, lighting up the night sky, inspiring both awe and dread amongst the American public. In the same year, Jack Johnson was at the height of his reign as world heavyweight champion. The first black heavyweight champion, Johnson blazed his own trail through the American psyche. Brasher than Ali, more brilliant than Floyd Mayweather, and badder than Mike Tyson, Jack Johnson lived life on his own terms. While he dominated the best boxers in his era, he upset the establishment with his love of fast cars and fast women. He really is on the most colourful characters in the history of the sport. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode of The Fighting Life as much as we enjoyed making it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  7. 10/01/2024

    Tommy Burns: Boxing's Smallest Heavyweight Champ

    Tommy Burns only stood at 5'7" but that didn't stop him from rising to become heavyweight champion of the world. The pint-sized Canadian beat the top big men of four countries, and his world conquering exploits saw him earn his nickname, "Napoleon of the Ring". But in 1908, Burns met his Waterloo fighting Jack Johnson, who became the first black heavyweight champion of the world. And after that loss, his achievements were dismissed and his name forgotten. Listen to this podcast, and learn why he's a man who deserves to be celebrated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  8. 03/12/2023

    Jim Jeffries: Boxing's Fallen Hero

    In this episode of The Fighting Life we're telling the story of a heavyweight boxer who reigned as champion from 1899 to 1905. He was big, strong and quick, with incredible endurance. Hailed as a Hercules of the ring in his era, today he's a footnote to history, best known for his loss to Jack Johnson, in what was one of the ugliest scenes in boxing history. Find out where it all went wrong for James J Jeffries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min

  9. 26/10/2023

    Peter Jackson, Boxing's Uncrowned King

    Born in the West Indies, Peter Jackson landed in Sydney, Australia, around 1880, and boxed under the tuition of Larry Foley. He went on to become the greatest heavyweight of his era, fighting 28 of the best men of England and America between 1888 and 1892, and losing to none. Memorable fights included his 61-round draw with James J. Corbett and his victory over Frank Slavin "Paddy" Slavin. Known as Peter the Great or The Black Prince to his fans, Jackson was widely considered the greatest boxer of his era. But he was denied a title shot against John L Sullivan, who refused to risk his belt against a black man. Corbett also avoided Jackson once he became heavyweight champ. This is his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  10. 27/09/2023

    Bob Fitzsimmons: The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall

    English born, New Zealand raised, and Australian trained, Bob Fitzsimmons was boxing's first triple-crown king, and one of the heaviest hitters of all time. Follow his story from a blacksmith's forge in Timaru, on the South Island of New Zealand, to the greatest stage of all, fighting Jim Corbett for the heavyweight world title in Carson City, Nevada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min

  11. 13/09/2023

    James Corbett: The Gentleman Boxer with a Mean Streak

    James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, the only man to beat John L Sullivan, reigned as heavyweight champ from 1892 to 1897 (allowing for the odd 'retirement'). Despite his gentleman reputation, Corbett was a tough character with a darker side, and a life marred by tragedy. This is one case where the man is more fascinating than the legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  12. 26/08/2023

    John L Sullivan: The Brawling Boozer Who Changed Boxing Forever

    In the first episode of The Fighting Life, we explore the life and times of the Boston Strong Boy, John L Sullivan, the last heavyweight bareknuckle champion of the world and the first world champion under the Queensbury Rules. A knockout artist who loved a drink, his rise and fall serve as a powerful warning about the perils of fame of fortune. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  • 12 Episodes

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Fighting Life", where we explore the lives and times of the boxers who've risked it all in ring. "The Fighting Life" takes you on a captivating journey through the decades, exploring the evolution of boxing, from its bare-knuckle origins to the glitzy, high-stakes showdowns of today. From the tales of iconic champs to stories unsung heroes, we're your ringside seat to it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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