The Darker Side Of Boxing

Sean, Johnston & Lukie look back on a season of stories which has left many talking points about episode themes, the eerily parallel comparisons and the dark moments which left a lasting impression. Also, the lads recap their funniest moments of the season along with life lessons learnt from each individual in the stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean speaks to Jamie Boyle about his books on Paul Sykes, and the challenges faced when opening up some old wounds for the people of Wakefield. Jamie also talks about the upcoming film/documentary on Paul after much interest in his life story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of The Darker Side Of Boxing Season Two, Sean sits down with Patrick Connor to discuss his book on Oscar "Ringo" Bonavena, and the challenges he faced in being able to produce a true depiction of what happened throughout Oscar's life and his untimely demise! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we present the story of Oscar Bonavena, the brash heavyweight contender whose sheer arrogance and wild lifestyle would lead to his grisly end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie and Sean explore the many stories that had lived in folklore around Stanley Ketchel, from his encounter with "The Murderous Mexican" and the Jack Johnson encounter which lives on in infamy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we cover the life, times, and untimely demise of Stanley Ketchel, a fighter regarded as one of the greatest of his time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean reflect on Paul Sykes's story and how elements of his life were that of a man who knew no boundaries. Also discussions are had over how this episode has left many with a feeling of mixed emotions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we present the story of a heavyweight boxer who would find notoriety away from the ring for his long prison stints and being known as one of the hardest men in Britain! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean reflect on Pinklon Thomas's life story and discuss what moments were pivotal to his career and whether this truly is a story of redemption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We present the story of Pinklon Thomas, a man who would take a trip to the depths of a drug-fuelled hell, but would fight his way back from the brink and turn it around to become a world champion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie and Sean dissect episode six as they reflect on the life and boxing career of Diego "Chico" Corrales and discuss the possibility that CTE may have played a part towards the end of Corrales's life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tell the story of a man that lived a fast and hard life, a life that would come to an untimely end with many bumps in the road along the way, including that one legendary night that would define his legacy in the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean dissect episode five and discuss the impact of certain moments of the story, how certain choices affected the future of the sport and where is Mitch Green now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we tell the story of Mitch "Blood" Green, the product of a tough 1970s New York neighbourhood who had many HIGHS and also many lows including an infamous brawl with Mike Tyson! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean reflect on the life and boxing career of Zora Folley whilst also discussing how his untimely demise caused such a mystery for over 40 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the life, career, and untimely demise of Zora Folley an established heavyweight contender during the 1960s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke G. Williams the author of President Of Pandemonium - The Mad World Of Ike Ibeabuchi joins Sean to discuss his experiences of putting the book together, including where his fascination with Ike came from, to interviewing the man himself and really getting an insight into his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean react and dissect the story of the once heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sean & Johnston present the story of Ike Ibeabuchi, a fighter with such promise of becoming a world heavyweight champion, however, it was the events that led up to the early morning of Thursday, July 22, 1999, that would change his life and those around him forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lukie & Sean discuss the life and career of Randy Turpin after learning more about the Leamington Licker and his life away from the boxing ring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randolph Turpin, known as the Leamington Licker is considered one of the greatest British fighters in history, his battles with Sugar Ray Robinson have gone down in boxing folklore. Away from the ring he was known as a generous and humble man to many, but there was another side to his persona, a side that only few experienced. Sean & Johnston present the trials & tribulations of Randolph Turpin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean sits down with Paul Zanon the author of "The Ghost Of Tapia" a book in which he worked directly on with Teresa Tapia, sharing many more unheard stories surrounding Johnny's life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Ketelle of ITR Boxing & Sean Bastow sit down to reflect upon episode one Crazy Train - The Life of Johnny Tapia. There is a lot of reflection on how past events shaped how the life of Tapia would play out, and its parallel comparisons to many well-known celebrities who have struggled with similar issues. Also up for discussion is the impact in boxing Johnny Tapia had, and what could have been if life outside the ring was different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny Tapia was one of boxing's flamboyant and colourful characters, inside the ring he dazzled fans with his unorthodox yet crowd pleasing style, but away from the bright lights lurked the demons of a troubled youth and the constant struggle to be revered by his peers. Sean & Johnston bring the story of a man and a fighter that overcame real adversity but would battle with the dark temptations that would ultimately be the downfall of this once great champion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Sean & Johnston look back at the episodes and discuss how the idea all came about and highlight some of the most notable moments throughout the course of the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was early in the morning of June 17, 1966, a Friday. The 3 a.m. closing time at the Lafayette Grill drew near. What happened next would change the lives of famed boxer, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, and John Artis forever! Part Two Features: One Summer Night in 1966 Life Behind Bars The Road To Retribution The Legacy Of "The Hurricane" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rubin Carter a troubled youth from the mean streets of Clifton, New Jersey would live through his trials and tribulations during childhood, only to become a professional boxer and attempt to forge a career to the middleweight crown. However, one fateful night would change his life forever! Part One Features: The Early Beginnings A Troubled Youth The Life In A Gang Forging A Career As A Professional Boxer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles McCoy, the Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde of boxing a trickster both inside and outside the ring. In this episode, we delve into the life and stories of the boxing champion of the early 1900s who would become a celebrity not just for his skills in the ring but his antics outside of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Butler Jr came from the tough, unforgiving New York, and throughout his life, he would forge an unlikely friendship with a talented pair of brothers. His fledgeling boxing career would take off only for a moment of madness inside of the ring to spiral his life, love and friendships out of control and commit the ultimate sin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of the Don King story, Sean & Johnston pick up from the "Thrilla In Manilla" and tell the story of how at one time King ruled the heavyweight division with the like of Larry Holmes & Mike Tyson as his main men, but that was not without controversy as federal investigations and meetings with crime families intertwined into the life of boxing's biggest promoter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald King is the American boxing promoter we all love to hate. He is known for his involvement in putting together some of the most historic boxing bouts. He has also been a controversial figure, partly due to a manslaughter conviction (later pardoned), and civil cases against him. In this two-part episode, Sean & Johnston present the story of his early days in the numbers game before his ascension into the boxing world and creating the lasting legacy of infamy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a follow up to Murder or Suicide? The Mysterious Death Of Arturo Gatti Sean & Johnston interview the author of "Killed In Brazil" Jimmy Tobin to discuss the inspiration behind the book along with what it takes to source the necessary information to be able to produce an informative and objective read.(Apple)https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-darker-side-of-boxing/id1512574182(Spotify)https://open.spotify.com/show/2EKf34IsPsbOaEA5Ca21SI(Google)https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1kYXJrZXItc2lkZS1vZi1ib3hpbmcFollow us on social mediaTwitter - @darker_side_podFacebook - The BTR Boxing Podcast NetworkBecome a patron by checking out www.patreon.com/btrboxingpodcastnetwork★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Ayala Jr. was one of the most talented boxers to ever grace the ring in the light-middleweight division. He won 31 of his 33 pro bouts, and he was in line to compete for the division belt multiple times throughout his career. However, Ayala Jr. couldn't control the inner demons in his personal life, and it led to a life of drugs and some of the most heinous crimes imaginable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shaun Cummins was a British boxer who won the WBA Inter-Continental super welterweight title in 1992 and went on to fight for the British and European middleweight titles. After his career had ended life seemed to have taken an upward trajectory in his new role as bodyguard to boy band Blue and a doorman on the local night clubs, that was until an accident would leave him paralysed from the waist down and in need of constant care. What happened next would shock the city of Leicester to its core. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we delve into the origins of how the mafia came to the forefront of boxing which included fixed fights, paid-off referees, greedy managers, misused boxers, and the mobsters who controlled it all Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean & Johnston examine a 1983 boxing match that took place between undefeated prospect Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto. The fight was on the undercard for a bout between Roberto Durán and Davey Moore. Resto unexpectedly beat the highly touted Collins in a 10-round unanimous decision; however, after the fight, Resto's gloves were found to be missing a significant amount of padding, illegal tampering which allowed Resto to increase his punches' effectiveness against Collins during the fight and cause tremendous damage. What began as a boxing match turned into a life-altering moment for both participants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was July 1965 when former world light heavyweight champion Freddie Mills was found dead in his car, rifle by his side and blood oozing from his eye. The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide, but the case was far from closed. His family to this day deny that it was suicide and in fact, believe it was murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 11, 2009, Gatti was found dead in a hotel in Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil, where he was on holiday with his Brazilian wife, Amanda Rodrigues, and their 10-month-old son. He was 37 years old. Gatti was to attend his sister's wedding the same day. Gatti's widow was charged with first-degree murder after the strap of her bag was found stained with blood.[40] Rodrigues could not explain how she spent more than 10 hours in the hotel room without realising Gatti was dead. The Brazilian authorities initially ruled Gatti's death a homicide, but after the coroner's autopsy report was released, they declared it was a suicide, and his widow was set free. Sean & Johnston present the findings of their investigation into whether it was murder or suicide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April 2010 a tragic set of circumstances would take place, when WBC lightweight champion Edwin "El Inca" Valero was arrested for killing his wife after her body was found in a hotel room. Just the next day, Valero would be found dead in his cell after seemingly using his own clothes to hang himself in an apparent suicide. Sean & Johnston dive inside the mind of one of boxing's most ferocious fighters inside the ring, and a very troubled and mentally unstable man outside of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Monzón (August 7, 1942 – January 8, 1995) was an Argentine professional boxer who held the world middleweight title for 7 years, during which he successfully defended the title 14 times. His glamorous and violent life was avidly followed by the media, culminating with his trial for the murder of Alicia Muniz. Argentinians adored Monzon throughout his career. He was, however, accused many times of domestic violence by his two wives and many mistresses, and of beating paparazzi. Sean & Johnston delve into the dark past of Carlos Monzon which included multiple incidents of domestic violence, an incident involving a shotgun, and the grisly demise of his wife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1970, former heavyweight champion of the world Sonny Liston was discovered dead at his Las Vegas home by his wife and son. A coroner report came back stating he died of natural causes — many believe that the truth appeared to be much darker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An in-depth look into the side of boxing which many choose to ignore. From murders to match-fixing, wrongful imprisonments to conspiracy theories, we look at some of the most notable and obscure incidents that have taken place inside and outside of a boxing ring.Welcome to The Darker Side of Boxing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices