Tales from the Ring James Magee

Paul Quinn and I debate the top 10 boxers of the modern era (1990-present). We cover a range of fighters from different countries, divisions and decades. It's fair to say this list will be one that all boxing fan's will have their own opinion on. Do you agree with our selections? Have a listen and let us know.

Brandon McCarthy is a Kilkenny boxer that had a fantastic amateur career. He won an amazing 16 Irish national titles from Boy 1 all the way to Elite level. He also represented Ireland at multiple European and World championships and won a silver medal at the European schoolboy championships in Russia. His aim was to reach this years Olympic Games in Paris, but an eye injury ended this dream. He has now moved across to the professional scene and has won his first pro contest back in March. He is wanting to stay very active and move into title contention soon. Something tells me the future is very bright for Brandon.

Eamonn Magee grew up in Ardoyne during the height of the troubles. He was the youngest of 4 boys who would all find their safe place in Sacred Heart ABC. Eamonn was a real talent as an amateur winning 10 Irish titles as well as multiple multi-nation gold medals. He also claimed a silver medal at the World junior championships in Puerto Rico, 1989. Eamonn talks about his disappointment at missing out on the Barcelona Olympics and how he began to go off the rails with drink. Eamonn talks about being shot in the leg by the IRA and how he would win his 2nd Irish senior title just weeks afterwards. We then discuss his professional career which included a Commonwealth title and 5 defences against quality fighters such as Shea Neary, Jon Thaxton and Paul Burke. He would go on to challenge for his first world title in Manchester back in 2002 against the rising star of British boxing, Ricky Hatton. He would be the first man to floor Hatton and push him all the way in a close decision defeat. Eamonn talks about bouncing back to achieve his dream when winning the WBU world title in Cardiff in 2003. Weeks later he would become the victim of an attack when he was beaten with baseball bats and would be left with horrific injuries and face over a year out of the ring. We also discuss the end of his boxing career, moving into coaching with John Breen and having great success during this time as a team. In recent years, there have been very dark times with the awful murder of his son, Eamonn Jr in 2015. His battles with addiction have also followed Eamonn throughout his life. Back in 2018 his book ‘The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee’ would become a huge success winning multiple awards. Eamonn talks about plans for a documentary and movie in the future. Hopefully there will be many more chapters to his story.

Tommy Hyde is currently undefeated in 8 professional contests. He was a very successful amateur boxer, winning 3 Irish titles. He is also the son of Gary Hyde who famously managed the great Guillermo Rigondeaux amongst many other champions. Tommy has been present at massive world title fights since a young age with his father and met some of the greats of the sport. The Cork native turned professional in 2022 and has recently claimed the BUI Celtic Super-Middleweight title and has an upcoming fight in June. He is looking towards an Irish title fight later this year. Tommy talks about his journey to date and his ambitions for the future.

Current Celtic and Commonwealth Silver Flyweight champion, Conor Quinn chats to me about his boxing journey to date. The former Clonard ABC boxer won 7 Irish titles as an amateur and represented Ireland around the world at senior level. Conor decided to move across the world to Australia in 2019 to turn professional and would win his first 2 pro contests before COVID struck. A move back home was soon on the cards in 2021. Under new manager, Mark Dunlop plans were in place to unleash Conor to his home fans before disaster struck. Conor failed a routine brain scan after tests discovered he had had a stroke without ever knowing. After months of tests, he was told a hole in his heart was the reason for this and immediate surgery was needed. Conor would come through this ordeal and finally begin the next chapter in his professional career. He is now undefeated in 10 contests and has recently signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren’s, Queensbury promotions. Big title fights will hopefully be on the horizon in 2024 and beyond.

Kaci Rock chats to me about how she got started in boxing at only 6 years of age. Kaci is the daughter of Irish boxing legend, Jim Rock and its fair to say he was not all for her getting into boxing initially. When it was clear boxing was not just a faze and she had the minerals to become a fighter, he is now of course her biggest supporter. Kaci also chats about the early days as an amateur and how Katie Taylor was always a big inspiration, even giving her some old boxing gear to use from time to time. Kaci eventually started to see her hard work pay off and would go on to win 7 Irish titles at various levels. She would win an Irish elite title in 2021 and then claim a European bronze medal at the U22 championships in 2022. Kaci has recently just missed out on being selected for the Olympic qualifiers in 2024 and talks about her plans for the future. Outside of boxing Kaci is not your typical boxer. She has various other interests and is balancing her studies at university alongside her boxing career. Something tells me we might be hearing more from Kaci both inside and outside of the ring.