The Rocky Road

Today we're going back to a time when the greatest show on earth came to Ireland. It was July 1972, and against all odds — and with the help of a strongman named Butty Sugrue — Muhammad Ali touched down in Dublin to fight Al ‘Blue' Lewis at Croke Park.It was a week like no other: Ali jogging through Wicklow, dropping into pubs, charming street cleaners, even getting a crash course in Irish history outside the GPO. Ireland was spellbound.Journalist and author Dave Hannigan joins me today to talk about his newly updated and re-released book The Big Fight, which tells the inside story of that glorious mayhem — and how one of the most famous athletes in history left a mark on the Irish psyche that's never faded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're going back 40 years to one of the most iconic nights in Irish sporting history. On June 8, 1985, at Loftus Road in London, Barry McGuigan became WBA featherweight champion of the world, defeating Eusebio Pedroza in front of a roaring, emotionally charged crowd. It wasn't just a boxing match — it was a moment that transcended sport. An Irishman from Clones, cheered on by Catholics and Protestants alike, in the middle of the Troubles. Today, Barry joins us on The Rocky Road to relive that unforgettable night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode pulls no punches. Joining us is someone whose voice you know from Sky Sports — a man who's been ringside for some of boxing's most dramatic moments — commentator Andy Clarke. But today, he joins us not with a mic, but with a manuscript: his new book The Knockout: Sport's Most Decisive Moment is out now in paperback.In it, Andy dissects that split-second moment where everything changes — for better or worse. The knockout. How does it feel to deliver one? To suffer one? To witness one? From triumph to trauma, the book tackles it all.Andy once said: 'It can feel like the air has been sucked out of the room when someone is in trouble, because you go from wanting to see a knockout to immediately wishing that it hadn't happened.' We're going to dig into that feeling, that whiplash — and what it says about the sport, the fighters, and us as fans.We'll also get Andy's take on Manny Pacquiao potentially coming back at 45, whether women's boxing is held back by shorter rounds when it comes to knockouts, and what to expect from Taylor–Serrano 3. Can Serrano find the game-changer she's always chased — the KO?Strap in — this is The Knockout episode of The Rocky Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland's John Duddy fought nine times at Madison Square Garden between 2005 and 2010 – winning them all – and lost just twice in a 31-fight career. At one stage he was right in the mix to fight for the middleweight championship of the world against Kelly Pavlik but boxing had other plans for him. John wrapped up his career in 2011 when he realised his hunger had dimmed, cancelling an all-Irish match-up with Andy Lee, and, bitten by the acting bug, he's never looked back. He's still involved in the sport to this day, spearheading a new programme with the Moving Brains Foundation which put on 54 two-hour sessions for people with Parkinsons Disease in 2024 – and continues to grow and grow. And he is also coaching at Trinity Boxing in New York City, a stone's throw from the World Trade Centre, with the hope of one day opening his own gym. In Part 2 of our interview with The Derry Destroyer, we take up the story as John goes pro in New York and becomes a fixture at The Garden. We go in depth on his work with Moving Brains where his passion shines through. And we ask how he would've fared against the champions of his time – and why you've always got to back yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the heart of Swinford, County Mayo to the bright lights of the British boxing scene — today we welcome a rising Irish star who's making waves in the middleweight division. At just 22, Eoghan Lavin is already 5-0 as a pro, backed by heavyweight promoter Frank Warren and trained by former world champ Anthony Crolla, with Anthony Joshua's 258 and McGinley Sports as his management. With deep amateur credentials and a growing fan base both at home and abroad, Eoghan is looking to make Mayo, a county completely obsessed with its Gaelic footballers, proud of its boxers once more as he follows in the footsteps of the likes of Henry Coyle and Ray Moylette. He fights again on the Galway Glory card at Pearse Stadium on June 28, headlined by Kieran Molloy, and is excited about bringing more big fights and big events back to the west. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From underdog to world-beater, from waiting in the wings to centre stage — Anthony Cacace has flipped the script on what we thought was possible in Irish boxing. Just over a year ago, many wondered if the ‘Apache' would ever get his big chance. Now he's one of the most feared men in the super-featherweight division and looking at possible monster matches up at lightweight. It started in Saudi with a stunning upset over Joe Cordina… continued in Wembley, where he took out the battle-hardened Josh Warrington… and most recently, he silenced Nottingham by stopping Leigh Wood in the ninth round, forcing the towel to come in.It's the stuff of Hollywood. And who better to walk us through this incredible chapter than someone who's covered him from the very beginning — Belfast journalist and boxing lifer, David Mohan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the corner of the gym to the centre of the ring, today's guest has made one of the more quietly remarkable transitions in Irish boxing. Daniel 'Daniel San' O'Sullivan started out helping the great Paschal Collins hold pads, wrap hands, and pass on water bottles to some of Ireland's top fighters — names like Spike O'Sullivan, Stephen Ormond and Craig O'Brien.But while he was known around the Celtic Warrior Gym as the ever-reliable right-hand man, Daniel was quietly sharpening his own tools. And when he stepped into the spotlight, he didn't miss a beat. After a solid amateur career that saw him scrap with the best between 2019 and 2021, he turned pro in 2022 and hasn't looked back.Six fights, six wins, two BUI Celtic titles in two weight divisions — 154 and 160 — and all done with that trademark engine, work ethic, and quiet confidence. He even ran a 10K the morning after his last fight. Relentless is an understatement. Daniel San joins us now on The Rocky Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two fights. Two wins. One big message: he's back. Belfast's Caoimhin Agyarko returns to The Rocky Road to talk about his comeback after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. He breaks down his short-notice win over Ryan Kelly, reflects on the mental toll of inactivity, and opens up about how he's grown since his powerful 2021 interview on mental health. With Irish boxing on the rise, Agyarko's ready to remind the world where he belongs—right in the title mix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's fight week, and The Rocky Road takes you inside the McKenna camp ahead of Aaron's massive showdown with former world champion Liam Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Aaron and his father, trainer Fergal McKenna, to explore their family dynamic, the road to success, and the preparations for one of the biggest fights of Aaron's career.From their beginnings in Monaghan to globe-trotting training camps in places like Las Vegas, the McKenna duo shares unforgettable stories from the journey. We dive into the mental and physical sacrifices that have shaped Aaron into a world-class fighter and how Fergal's coaching has guided him every step of the way.Along the way, we also hear about the surprising support from superstar rapper Kendrick Lamar, who's been a fan of Aaron's since his early days in the USA, and what it's like to prepare for a fight of this magnitude on the world stage.With the pressure building and the excitement palpable, this episode is a front-row seat to the fight week hustle of one of boxing's most promising young stars — and the father who's been there through it all. It's the McKenna family, the Rocky Road, and Premier League boxing at its finest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of uncertainty, Irish boxing has taken a decisive step forward. On this episode of The Rocky Road, Kevin Byrne is joined by Niall O'Carroll, Chairman of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association's Board of Directors, to discuss the landmark vote that sees Ireland join World Boxing as a dual member — clearing a path for Irish athletes to compete at the LA 2028 Olympics.Boxing is Ireland's most successful Olympic sport, but recent years have seen tension, confusion, and concern around its future. From governance issues and international boycotts to grassroots frustration and medal-winning clubs acting independently, the road to unity has been far from smooth.Niall reflects on the battles fought behind the scenes, what finally persuaded the clubs to back World Boxing, and why this decision matters so deeply for the next generation of Irish fighters. He also discusses the appointment of Jon Mackey as National Performance Director and outlines the IABA's ambitions for LA 2028 and beyond.It's a revealing conversation about politics, passion, and preserving Ireland's proudest Olympic tradition. For anyone who cares about the future of Irish sport, this is one not to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a New York and Atlantic City Hall of Fame member as a matchmaker. He's spent half a century in the sport and has worked with everyone from Muhammad Ali to Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson to Marvin Hagler, Steve Collins to Bernard Dunne. And Ron Katz is still making fights today. Here we talk about the three things a fighter needs to become huge, what it was like arranging Tyson's early fights and the future of the boxing business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Boxing has a perverse way of turning every significant bout I see into something deeply personal. It is as crooked and as destructive as it is magnificent and transformative. While watching boxers risk their lives, I fall for the gory drama once more…' A passage from The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing, by the renowned sportswriter, Donald McRae, who joins us today. Donald is the author of five boxing books, each one more magnificent than the last, but his latest one is set to be the final chapter in a 50-year affair with the sport. I didn't just say ‘love' there, because sometimes it's so much more complicated than that, but it's certainly a consuming passion. There are still compelling characters within the sport, Rocky stories everywhere when you go looking for them, but it's also a business beset by problems – from doping to gangsterism, the free press being replaced with yes-men with cameras and the migration from broadcast networks to subscription-only digital stations. We're also grappling with a future where influencers, on one side, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the other, hold sway. I've no doubt listeners to this show will be more than familiar with the book before this one, In Sunshine or In Shadow, the surreal story of how boxing gave people hope during the darkest days of the Troubles. And we're delighted to present a conversation with Donald that touches on the fighters who inspired him after a sustained period of grief, covering Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Katie Taylor, Isaac Chamberlain and the rise of Andy Lee as a boxing trainer along with covering the growing Saudi influence and the human rights stories adjacent, MTK, doping and influencer boxing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glenn Byrne is an unbeaten professional boxer fighting out of Dublin/Wicklow. The younger brother of Jay Byrne, his manager, promoter and trainer, Glenn's fighting for his first title at the National Stadium on April 12. With a 5-0 record to his name, up next for Glenn is Charly Lopez of Spain, with the BUI Celtic light-middleweight belt on the line. Win, and the route to an Irish title opens up. Lose, and he'll have to begin again. That's something he's already done before, after totally turning his life around following a health scare. Here, Glenn talks about how drinking took over his life and overshadowed his sporting talents, how it made him sick and how he managed to get away from it and flourish. There's an incredible story about Premier League footballer Troy Deeney pushing him towards the boxing journey he's now on after they met at a pool party in Bali. Now, with the world at his feet, his inspirational story is sure to inspire anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to the one he was in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senan Kelly is from Leixlip, Co Kildare. Currently the Irish welterweight champion, he will defend his title against Dublin's Declan Geraghty at the National Stadium on April 12. It's third time lucky for this pair after two previous dates fell through, and promises to be a compelling contest atop another JB Boxing Promotions card as the business graduates from small-hall to the bigger leagues. Kelly's career has been revitalised since linking up with Byrne in 2023. He'd spent a three-year spell on the sidelines between 2020 and 2023, partly down to the pandemic, mainly down to a desperate shoulder injury that realistically would cause most budding boxers to pack it in and focus on other endeavours. But Kelly isn't most budding boxers. In his demeanour, in his performances, you can see a competitor who'll do whatever it takes to win. Here, The Rocky Road visits Kelly at his house as he tells us about falling into the sport, why he's not interested if he's not directly involved and why he lives and breathes boxing - to the point that he converted his garage into a gym to train others. He also talks about financial insecurities, putting his life on hold to chase the dream and the pride his feels to headline at the home of Irish boxing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rocky Road hits its 200th episode during Paddy's week – so who better to have on than the King of New York himself, Ireland's John Duddy. He had a famous fan in Jake LaMotta and later worked closely with Robert DeNiro, who had starred as The Bronx Bull in Martin Scorsese's epic Raging Bull back in 1980. Even today he's boxing royalty in the Big Apple but John Duddy is also a son of Derry and an Irish boxing cult hero, someone who helped popularise professional boxing in the early noughties, leading to a wave of up and coming fighters to follow their dreams either at home or across the pond. Show that you can become a big name in Dublin and you could be labelled ‘the next Bernard Dunne'. Show that you're ready to break the Big Apple and you might, you just might, be labelled ‘the next John Duddy'. The Derry Destroyer fought nine times at Madison Square Garden between 2005 and 2010 – winning them all – and lost just twice in a 31-fight career. At one stage he was right in the mix to fight for the middleweight championship of the world – which LaMotta held between 1949 and 1951 – but boxing had other plans for him. John wrapped up his career in 2011 when he realised his hunger had dimmed, cancelling an all-Irish match-up with Andy Lee, and, bitten by the acting bug, he's never looked back. He's still involved in the sport to this day, spearheading a new programme with the Moving Brains Foundation which put on 54 two-hour sessions for people with Parkinsons Disease in 2024 – and continues to grow and grow. And he is also coaching at Trinity Boxing in New York City, a stone's throw from the World Trade Centre, with the hope of one day opening his own gym. In Part 1, we look back at John's early years in the Irish amateur ranks, his determination to unseat Michael Roche as light-middleweight champ and the Corkman's incredible gesture before he finally did, his boxing pals who made it all so enjoyable, and hunkering down to avoid a hurricane in Cuba during a training camp. We also discuss the links in the chain that go from his early life until now – his uncle Jackie, his dad Michael, Charlie Nash, Ken Buchanan, Barry McGuigan and Roberto Duran. This is the ultimate Rocky story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Byrne is joined by Irish Boxing's Joe O'Neill to reflect on a wild night in Belfast after Paddy Donovan was disqualified in controversial circumstances in his bout with Lewis Crocker. We also hear from Jamie Conlan, Andy Lee, Paddy Donovan, Ian Gaughran and Eddie Hearn as the fall out from the fight continued well into the night. Expect this story to rumble on for a few weeks... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us today is The Sun's short boxing writer who loves a tall fistic tale, whether it's roasting hot in York Hall or self-loathing in Las Vegas – but never rowdy in Saudi. It's Wally Downes Jr, fresh from Riyadh where he oversaw Dmitry Bivol's successful revenge mission against Artur Beterbiev. Wally's just come from the first Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn press conference (sponsored by Riyadh Season) where the Brighton boxer egged his opponent – so we ask Wally if it's fair to say that such cracking shithousery wouldn't be egged on in Jeddah? We also talk about Aaron McKenna's shot at Liam Smith on the same card, why Wally loves an underdog story, cutting through PR to report on boxing in 2025, the challenge of writing about sportswashing, why DAZN doesn't always work for fighters on the rise as well as that Last Crescendo card, Andy Lee's excellent stewardship of ‘Gypsy' Joe Parker and his man Paddy Donovan's upcoming derby battle with Lewis Crocker. And breathe… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's always a pleasure to talk boxing with today's guest, Mick Conlan - and the response we get everytime we have him on, shows that listeners relish these appearances as well. There's so much to talk about in Irish boxing. We've recently experienced utter tragedy with the untimely passing of Galway warrior John Cooney following a battle in Belfast, the first fatality in an Irish ring for nearly 60 years. That, and the death of jockey Michael O'Sullivan, is another reminder of the commitment these sportsmen and women give to their craft. From daily battles with the scales, to performing in high-pressure situations where one wrong move can result in catastrophe, boxers and jockeys have much in common and their willingness to sacrifice for our entertainment must never be overlooked. Yet racing goes on, Cheltenham is coming, and boxing continues apace as well, and will do as long as men and women are called to the ring. Today's guest knows all about that call. After stepping away for all of 2024, he returns on March 7 in Brighton with a new training and promotional team behind him. The featherweight talks about the Last Dance, why he'll be watching the Eubank-McKenna main event through his fingers, the dirty boxing business, going his own way by managing himself and his new coach, Grant Smith, who in 2006 was hit by a 56-tonne tram going 28mph – and lived to tell the tale. Conlan also discusses his fighters Dean Walsh (who's in action in Mick's new home from home of Sheffield on March 1) and Kevin Cronin (who's taking on Emmet Brennan in Mick's old stomping ground, Madison Square Garden, a fortnight later) as well as those he's no longer managing, like Lewis Crocker and Pierce O'Leary (who both have huge outings in the pipeline, Crocker v Paddy Donovan on March 1 and Big Bang with a potential Dublin homecoming in April). Plus we couldn't go without talking about two upcoming world title fights for Irishmen, involving two of his past opponents – TJ Doheny v Nick Ball on March 15 and Anto Cacace v Leigh Wood on May 10. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie Murray is a former undefeated professional boxer who defied the odds to achieve success in the ring. As a boy, he battled severe asthma and depended on the use of daily oxygen masks, and at that stage a future life as a sportsman seemed a million miles away. But boxing helped him build up his lung capacity and ultimately, he found success in the amateurs before turning pro in 2001, fighting out of Breen's Gym in Belfast and representing Dublin. He trained and sparred alongside the likes of Neil Sinclair, Eamonn Magee and Paul McCloskey in an era when fellow 140lb boxers Shea Neary, Ricky Hatton and Francie Barrett, his old amateur rival, were making waves. His biggest night came in '05 when he beat Peter McDonagh for the Irish title at the National Stadium – and bigger nights looked to be on the horizon. But he instead decided to hang up his gloves, his hunger satisfied, health intact, and pursue another legacy in the sport. Robbie became a full-time performance coach and took over his old amateur club, St Matthews in Ballyfermot. Coaching opened his eyes to the need for a fairer – and safer – system in underage boxing. He developed Fight Ireland in a bid to achieve proper matchmaking, knowing there are levels to the game, which he hopes will come back online soon. He then developed the Boxing Winner app, which provides a structured learning and development pathway for boxers of all levels. And The Rocky Road visited Murray in Ballyer to check out his newest venture which could end up changing the sport entirely – simulated boxing. Making boxing safer is something everyone wants but few know how that can be achieved. It is a brutal sport and those who enter it usually do so with their eyes wide open. Fights are fights, rounds are rounds, punishment is taken and dished out. It is the hurt game. Murray has recently completed a masters degree in sports performance analysis and time will tell if his research and methods are adapted to allow fighters worldwide to prepare in a safer way in future. This episode of The Rocky Road is dedicated to John Cooney, an Irish boxing warrior who tragically lost his life following a Celtic title fight at the Ulster Hall in February 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Ormond, known as The Rock during his fighting career, knows all about The Rocky Road in boxing. A teenage elite champion who comes from a boxing dynasty, he's related to the legendary Spike McCormack on his mother's side, while his father and uncles were all champions in the ring as well, iconic fighting Dubliners all. He boxed as a pro for over a decade, with 33 fights in all, winning the WBO European, IBF inter-continental and WBU world titles, and was never, ever in a dull fight. Ormond was a well-schooled, aggressive boxer-puncher who shared the sparring ring with Conor McGregor but never once s***-talked another fighter to get to where he wanted to go. Ultimately, a world title shot passed him by, but he's determined to reach the holy grail, this time as a trainer. That's led to the opening of Stephen Ormond Boxing down at the Colosseum Gym in Kylemore, where we met for a chat about his ideas on what makes a successful pro, and a look back at his best night yet in boxing. We're also joined by his old mate Luke Keeler, a year on from his first appearance on the show, while there's also something of an exclusive towards the end of the episode as hype man supreme, cutman and uisce guru Mark Kennedy lends his thoughts on Ormond's potential as a coach, and irish-boxing.com's effervescent roving reporter Matt Meehan gives his take on the events of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hugely anticipated Irish domestic clash between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan is only weeks away and we've caught up with both camps ahead of the epic clash in Belfast in March. On this episode, we chat with Lewis Crocker, Jamie Conlan and Billy Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hugely anticipated Irish domestic fight between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan is only weeks away and we've caught up with both camps ahead of the epic clash in Belfast in March. First up, we chat with Paddy Donovan, Andy Lee and Jason Quigley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Christmas from all of us at The Rocky Road! It's been a big year for the podcast and to round out the campaign, here's our 2024 Year in Review show. Tommy Hyde and Terry O'Neill are back in harness to go over the Irish Fighter, Fight, Knockout and Trainer of the Year. We also discuss the biggest Gutpunch of 2024, the good, bad and ugly of the amateur season and look ahead to some major moves in 2025. Thanks to everyone who's joined us this year on the show, tuned in or helped out along with the fighters, coaches, fans and volunteers who make #IrishBoxing what it is today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What more can be said about the genius of Oleksandr Usyk? The Ukrainian got the better of Tyson Fury in their heavyweight championship rematch in Riyadh on Saturday night - this time by unanimous decision. Just as their first battle in May was, this was a thrilling fight, with ebbs and flows, momentum swings, and a force of nature – in the form of Usyk – who just couldn't be denied in the second half of the contest. What a championship fighter this guy is. Joining us on The Rocky Road to discuss the event are rising Cork boxer Tommy Hyde, who was in Saudi Arabia for the superfight, and actor/comedian and former Ireland international boxer Terry O'Neill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Byrne is a former Irish boxer and current manager, trainer and promoter. Having just put on his seventh show in just over 12 months in Dublin, he's currently the most prolific fight fixer in the country. Here, he joins The Rocky Road to tell us about the angry young man he once was, how he matured and why he now finds contentment in helping others, be it inside or outside of the ring. Jay discusses his 19-fight career, having boxed the best of British at the start of his career live on Sky Sports, to seeking domestic glories back home with some explosive derby duels. They're now the focus of his promotional career as he looks to build a healthy and entertaining scene in Irish boxing, all the while collaborating with his colleagues who head up rival promotional teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Look, his mother was all over the shop, I had to ring Paschal, Spike, Craig O'Brien, right, and Big Niall Kennedy, ‘Do us a favour lads, will you explain to his mother, he's not going to be in an intensive care unit after the fight this weekend'." Joining us today on The Rocky Road are father-and-son duo Roddy and Podge Collins. Podge is now a professional boxer, making his debut in October when he knocked out Gianluca Di Florio in the first round at the National Stadium. He talks about his strange lack of nerves ahead of and during the battle while Roddy, a well-known football manager, was aghast at that as he saw so many big-name players turning to jelly on the big occasion. Together they talk us through the famous fighting family's history, brother Steve's (or Stephen's) major title victories, memories from Las Vegas to Millstreet and the long-term goal for Podge's career as he embarks on a boxing journey with uncle Paschal by his side as trainer/manager. He also talks about how boxing has changed his life after a year in which he's lost 6st and shed his unhappy side to find joy in the roughest, toughest sport there is. Brought to you from the Celtic Warriors Gym, its walls adorned with photographs of boxing legends from Muhammad Ali to Marvin Hagler, Roddy may have made his name in the beautiful game but this is a story of the fight business like no other. Podge returns on Friday night at the Red Cow Hotel's Warehouse for fight No 2 on a card promoted by Jay Byrne, a fight fixer Roddy insists must be supported in his determination to boost Irish boxing and its combatants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘This how she fight – head down, balls to the wall!' Roy Jones Jr is on The Rocky Road this week as we reflect on the epic second fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight in Texas. Taylor won the day – again – to retain her undisputed world light-welterweight crown. But did she deserve to get the nod? And, after having a point docked for use of the head, and seeing the eye injury Serrano was forced to fight with, we ask Roy the question – is Katie Taylor a dirty fighter? We also discuss the potential trilogy fight, where and when that might happen and why Taylor got the nod in No2. You'll find that Hall of Famer Captain Hook, who commentated for the bout on Netflix, gives Taylor's hooking skills the Roy-al seal of approval. (Podcast image credit: @terrythesnapper) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with Kieran Farrell. In Part 1 we spoke about his part in Daniel Dubois' stunning destruction of Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium, how he came to work with the heavyweight knockout artist and where he thinks DDD is going next. Here, Kieran talks about growing up in Heywood, also known as Monkey Town (you'll find out why, and there's an Irish connection). Kieran has an Irish connection of his own, with his people coming from here, and he found boxing at an early age and quickly got to know the big dogs on the Manchester scene, from Michael Gomez to Ricky Hatton. His bout with another Manchester idol, Anthony Crolla, changed his life. Farrell said he'd die for the English belt, and he almost did. The young boxer suffered a subdural hematoma during the fight and was rushed to hospital, where the doctors removed 30 per cent of his brain during life-saving surgery. Farrell, who'd become a dad for the first time just two weeks previously, earned just two grand for the fight. At the time Farrell was boxing out of John Breen's Gym in Belfast, where he'd worked alongside the likes of Paul McCloskey, the Conlan brothers and Andy Murray. He retains a link to the island to this day and his story is the epitome of The Rocky Road. I'd say he'd do it all again if he could. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano – the rematch is here. We're joined today by Gavan Casey from The 42, who's chronicled so much of Taylor's career to date with consistency and insight. In April 2022 the pair had a war for the ages at Madison Square Garden in New York. Taylor got the nod – with a few shaky moments in the middle. The rematch – and even a trilogy – was immediately suggested but getting it on again has proved difficult. A Dublin date fell through, with Taylor going on to fight Chantelle Cameron twice and become a two-weight undisputed champ, while Serrano's since become a 12-round fighter and undisputed featherweight champ. Now they meet again at 138lb at Arlington Stadium in Texas on a Netflix-screened card with the circus fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul as its main attraction. We chat with Gav about covering Taylor's career around the globe, the amazing scenes in the Big Apple for the first Taylor-Serrano bout, the remarkable resilience shown by Taylor to bounce back from her first defeat and a look ahead to what might be coming next for the Bray bomber, win or lose. We also chat about Jake Paul's role in it all, where the Saudis might come in and the Brian Peters influence on all things Katie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Jimmy is a great coach, loved him when he travelled to international training camps with Ireland, great pad man.” When you're getting praise like this from the notoriously hard-to-please Paddy Barnes, then you must be doing something right. And today's guest Jimmy Halpin has been doing something right for 40 years now. Before that, the young Dubliner had talent as a boxer but didn't quite manage to match that with a bulging collection of medals, with his last fight coming in 1981 when, three years out of the ring by then, he ‘got a hiding' when he returned for one night only on a benefit for the Stardust victims. However the lessons he learned still stand to him to this day. Jimmy is loved by his boxers and adored by other coaches, but he takes no bull either and his forthright honesty (or constructive criticism) sometimes leads to disagreements along the way. He trained Ireland's first female fighter (and first female world champion) Deirdre Gogarty when she first walked through the doors at St Saviours in Dublin, and taught double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington many of the moves that led to her topping podiums in Tokyo and Paris. Jimmy worked his magic with Cathal O'Grady, Darren Sutherland and Emmet Brennan - Olympians all - at club level and worked alongside Billy Walsh with the Irish high performance team for over a decade. Now, at 72, he's still giving back as a volunteer, touring clubs all over Dublin, mainly, and giving pointers to coaches and boxers alike. As he says, his mission was to create universal boxers before there was even a term for it. His passion for boxing is infectious and as Jimmy says, once you're in the club - whether you're a novice or a potential world champion - you're deserving of his time, and he'll strive to help you improve. As for the best fighter he worked with during his time in Ireland? I'll give you a clue - it's someone who's got the full set of medals, anyway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kellie McLoughlin is a three-time Irish champion boxer who's looking to make the breakthrough to win her first Elite crown. Standing in her way is two-time Olympian Michaela Walsh, who's ruled her division in Ireland with an iron fist for over a decade. But with McLoughlin and featherweight rival Kelsey Leonard determined to unseat Walsh this year, will there be a changing of the guard in this corner of Irish boxing? McLoughlin is certainly a fighter and she sat down with The Rocky Road to detail her incredible story of survival. There was no trigger for her mental health crisis but when it hit her, it hit her hard. She and her loving family tried everything; from sessions with Pieta House to medication, hospitalisation and electroconvulsive therapy. Eventually, McLoughlin went home and attempted to rebuild her life, and her boxing career. That year, 2019, she won two Irish titles and immediately set her sights on a slot at Paris 2024. But a combination of Covid and Walsh's form holding tight meant the Belfast boxer became a double Olympian, with McLoughlin still striving to make the breakthrough. Is this her year? Boxer of the tournament at the Emerald Box Cup, winner of two bouts in America on the Bridges Beyond Boxing programme, she's entering these championships full of confidence and ready to make a dent, trained by the master Jimmy Halpin and his assistant coach Paul Griffin. With guardian angel Sean Carton on her shoulder, she might just do it. This is an incredibly powerful episode and I was left speechless on a number of occasions as the brilliant McLoughlin told her story in expressive detail. If you have been affected by anything discussed on this podcast, please contact the Samaritans on 1850 609 090 or Pieta House on 01 6010000. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One kid's named after former world heavyweight champ Joe Frazier, another's named after… Irish Olympian Jude Gallagher. That's Kieran Farrell, a boxing man to his bones, and this week's guest on The Rocky Road. After Manchester Irishman Liam Gallagher had warmed up the 96000 raving punters at Wembley a few weeks ago, Daniel Dubois marched into the ring and pulled off a superb upset win over Anthony Joshua and walked off with the IBF heavyweight world title. Another Manchester Irishman, Farrell, was a key man in his camp throughout and was seen buzzing about the canvas in the aftermath of Dubois' destruction of AJ. What a story Kieran has. A former professional fighter whose career was cut short by a brain injury following a 2012 Manchester derby with Anthony Crolla, he's a boxing lifer who picked up where he left off on the other side of the ropes. He's a manager, a promoter and a trainer and when his world title dreams were heartbreakingly culled as a boxer, he vowed to get there in his new role – and guide a fighter to championship glory. But, as we hear in Part 1, dirty nappies have taken centre stage for now… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is doing things a bit back to front. Mostly boxers will finish their careers before going into the media – but Lurgan man Lee Gormley has done it the other way around. Lee has a degree in sports journalism and has covered the bloody business for outlets such as the Boxing News and Boxing Monthly. That passion for boxing ultimately led to him putting on the gloves as an amateur – and now he's about to have his fifth professional fight. Bolton-based Lee's back out on November 9 at the Sunderland Live Arena as he looks to build towards BUI Celtic and Irish title shots. Here, he tells The Rocky Road about the fighters that inspired him, why Carl Frampton is a hero of his and how boxing for real informs his work as a journalist in the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Bunce has spent 40 years writing and talking about boxing for just about every newspaper and magazine in Britain – and just about every TV and radio station as well. In his career he's reported at ringside in over 30 countries and rubbed shoulders with hustlers and hoodlums, kings and clowns, journeymen and Hall of Fame fighters. To use one of my favourite lines of his, that's boxing, as they say in the trade. Steve's new book, Around the World in 80 Fights, follows on from Bunce's Big Fat Short History of British Boxing. We go through it all here, charting the crazy journey women's boxing made in his time from the likes of Deirdre Gogarty and Jane Couch starting out to Katie Taylor headlining at Madison Square Garden against Amanda Serrano, a Kiko Martinez love-in in Belfast as he returned to reminisce ten years on from his world title fight with Carl Frampton, and a cheeky text from Kenneth Egan that ensured he got the armband on an all-Irish boxing football team. There's his legendary showdown with a raging Bernard Hopkins, a discussion of how the media landscape has shifted massively during his four decades in the business, memories of his dalliances with the hardmen of Russia and a poignant story about the late Gary Mason where there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Like his book, this interview has got a bit of everything. Here's to a few sequels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 with Ryan Burnett, he's a man on the brink. After years of hard work, bordering on obsessiveness, he's about to reach the pinnacle. But winning the world title doesn't give him contentment because it doesn't give him financial freedom; not yet anyway. Here, he talks about becoming world champion with victory over Lee Haskins back in Belfast, where sparring partner Carl Frampton has built an empire. He unifies against Kazakhstan's Zhanat Zhakiyanov - with his former mentor Ricky Hatton now in his opponent's corner - and he's on his way. But the payout doesn't come without a price, as Ryan is brought to hospital after suffering for his triumph. Becoming a champion hasn't dimmed his desire - upon his return to camp, he's instantly beating his pre-fight times in the hill sprints, which gives him a new nickname but, as he believes, the effort nearly kills him. HIs entry into the World Boxing Super Series looks like it's going to lead to an ultimate clash with Japan's Naoya Inoue. But in a set-up showdown with Nonito Donaire, Ryan suffers what ends up being a career-ending back injury. Asked to describe the pain he feels when trying to fight on against the Filipino star, his answer makes me sick to my stomach. At 27, his career as a boxer is over and while there may be regrets and what-ifs, he's a boxing success story - coming out healthy in the knowledge he'll be able to play with his kids when they come along. Now, after being able to buy his house and start a business, he's been bitten by the boxing bug again. And, as he explains, the obsession has started all over again... Ryan Burnett's is the ultimate Rocky Road story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mercedas Taaffe-Cooper is an Irish boxing pioneer. A competitor in the 90s when female fighters were thin on the ground, she sparred with Deirdre Gogarty and boxed alongside Jane Couch. She was also one of the first female coaches in the country, guiding the Reynolds brothers, Stephen and Alan, who won a combined 12 senior titles at the National Stadium. Here, Merc talks about the struggle for recognition in the early years, how she and others helped knock down the door to allow Katie Taylor to fight Alanna Murphy in a groundbreaking 2001 contest, being part of the coaching ticket for the men's World Championships that same year and much more. After a move to Australia, where she continued in an education which was encouraged by the great Nicholas Cruz, she developed further as a psychologist and exercise scientist, combining her practical skills with her boxing background to ultimately develop CounterPunch. Per her own notes it's an ‘effective, fun-filled, evidence based program to guide young people toward achieving their undoubted potential'. CounterPunch has become a success story Down Under, recently celebrating its first national champion, and now Merc is looking to spread its influence and bring it home to Ireland. Here, she tells The Rocky Road all about her journey which started kickboxing and is now changing lives by educating kids through the medium of boxing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a heavyweight special today as we're joined by Ireland's top man in the showbiz division, undefeated Dublin banger Thomas ‘The Bomber' Carty. Carty was on with us three years ago as a 1-0 pro and since then his picked up some momentum. He's fought at the O2 in London, the Nottingham Arena, Wembley Arena and York Hall in the UK. And he's managed to fulfil part one of the pro dream by boxing on huge cards back home – twice at the 3Arena on the Katie Taylor v Chantelle Cameron cards, and a trip out west to fight alongside his Celtic Warrior brothers – and manager Dillian Whyte – in Castlebar, Co Mayo. He's also won a belt in the form of the BUI Celtic title and oh, he started a business too. Next up, on September 20, is another outing at Dublin's 3Arena, this time supporting another boxer who's getting a homecoming in the shape of Callum Walsh. Argentina's Jonathan Exequiel Vergara, who's won six and lost one so far, will be in the opposite corner on what's sure to be a fun night at the fights. With the 6ft 4in southpaw back on another major card at the 3Arena, we ask if there's any truth to the rumour that it's in the venue's contract that if there's no Carty, there's no party. We also look ahead to the undercard featuring the Craig O'Brien v Edward Donovan and Emmet Brennan v Kevin Cronin derby fights, and upcoming heavyweight slobberknockers featuring his sparring partners Anthony Joshua (v Daniel Dubois) and Tyson Fury (v Oleksandr Usyk II). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Burnett reckons the secret to his boxing success was always asking, 'Why?' A superb athlete who could carry out instructions to the letter, he was also a sponge, capable of remembering and repeating the guidance he was given. That saw him rise to the top of boxing, ultimately becoming the first Irishman to unify world titles, and now it's led to him becoming one of the most sought-after coaches on the island right at the beginning of his journey as a cornerman. Here, in Part 1 of our interview with the former world bantamweight champ, we discuss his start in boxing, being a lone wolf even during his time with Ireland's high performance team, making the move to turn pro under Ricky Hatton but then finding out professional boxing wasn't all glitz and glamour. A failed brain scan, being forced to live in his car, hiding his predicament from his loved ones; nothing was going to stop Burnett from chasing his dream of making a life for himself and his family through boxing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anto Cacace is the feel-good story of Irish pro boxing this year. Or any other year to be fair. He's always had class but Cacace has never had much luck, with every step forward followed by the inevitable three steps back. Until now. His victory over the undefeated Joe Cordina in Riyadh in May was an unforgettable moment for Cacace and his supporters everywhere. We believe it was one of the most electrifying performances any Irish boxer has put in for a very long time. This is Cacace's third time on The Rocky Road and after hearing about the struggles he's endured in the last two, the hat-trick episode is more of a celebration. We rewatch the highlights video with Anto, and the clips of fellow Belfast man, former sparring partner and big supporter Carl Frampton, going nuts in the venue while working for TNT Sports. We talk about how life has changed since capturing the belt, his incredible homecoming in Andytown and the mural that's sprung up across the road from his mother's house - with Anto, of course, delivering McDonalds down to the painters while they daubed him all over the walls. Of course, there's still serious business ahead - as Cacace defends his belt against Josh Warrington at Wembley on September 21. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with rising star Pierce O'Leary. Last time we took a stroll around the Docklands as Big Bang told us all about growing up in Sheriff Street and his desire to become even more of a local hero. In this episode we sat down to talk about his career so far which has taken him to the brink of world title honours. Here Pierce discusses his dream fights, beating Darragh Foley last time out in a derby bout, boxing while sick with food poisoning and his enduring love for horses, which has been handed down through the generations on Sheriff Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're in Sheriff Street in Dublin's capital for Part 1 of an interview with local hero Pierce O'Leary. We take a walk around with unbeaten world title hopeful Big Bang while he spends some time at home between fight dates. Pierce talks about his love for the community, the pride he feels for the area and the drive it gives him to dig deep in his toughest battles. Once the bustling heartland of Dublin's Docklands, industrialisation took its toll and the area became run-down and crime-ridden. To outsiders, the name Sheriff Street became synonymous with lawlessness and criminality - but the community has always stuck together and produced people who've made a significant contribution to Ireland, from Sean O'Casey to Luke Kelly to Jim Sheridan, along with boxing idols like previous podcast guest Gus Farrell and now O'Leary. As we walk around, it's hard to ignore the rapid pace of development in the Docklands. It's changed even since Pierce was a kid and it's not been without controversy. Locals have voiced concern about the loss of community identity, lack of affordable housing, threat of gentrification and the prioritisation of commercial interests over community needs. They fight for the area and they also support their fighters, as witnessed by the celebrations up the road on Killarney Street when another north inner city boxer, Kellie Harrington, brought home her second Olympic gold medal from Paris. We finish up at the statue of Luke Kelly which sits beside the Royal Canal before it enters the Liffey and Pierce allows himself to dream of a statue of himself there beside the Dubliner. Stay tuned for Part 2 where Pierce discusses his dream fights, beating Darragh Foley last time out in a derby bout, boxing while sick with food poisoning and his enduring love for horses, which has been handed down through the generations on Sheriff Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kellie Harrington is the double Olympic lightweight champion. Let's state that again. Kellie Harrington is the back-to-back Olympic champion. The first Irish boxer to reach two finals - and she won them both. Kenneth Egan joins The Rocky Road podcast today to go over her incredible journey, how she got here and where she's going. We rewatch the nine incredible minutes that saw her sail to victory over China's Yang Wenlu as the Beijing 2008 silver medallist goes over what it is that makes Harrington so great. He describes the butterflies that go through a fighter before an Olympic final, what it's like to be in the flow state during the Games and the difficulties that can strike after a successful tournament. We also look at the overall state of Irish and world boxing as thoughts turn to whether or not the sport will be staged at Los Angeles in 2028. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Griffin was training under Brendan Ingle, alongside world featherweight champ Prince Naseem Hamed, promoted by Frank Warren and about to put his unbeaten record on the line. Then the Dean Pithie fight happened and suddenly it seemed like the prince of Dublin boxing was set for the scrapheap. No longer needed by the fight bosses, and with the lure of the party life back home proving too strong, he took off to Australia to get away from it all. There, he had ten fights - along with a few too many bouts of inactivity - and here, Paul fills in the blanks on some of those forgotten years, while talking about his inspirational recovery to get to where he is today - coaching the next generation of talented young Dubs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We love Paul Griffin here at The Rocky Road. He's been on twice before - for the 30th anniversary of his epic 1991 European gold medal, and 30 years on from Barcelona 92, alongside medallists Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough. Now he joins us for a deep dive on his 15-year professional career across a two-part episode. He started out under Frank Warren on a 'Prince' Naseem Hamed card in Scotland, going on to train in Sheffield with the world featherweight champ under fellow Dubliner Brendan Ingle. Paul tells us about sparring Hamed and feeling his frightening power, boxing on Steve Collins undercards at Pairc Ui Chaoimh and Millstreet alongside contemporaries Eamonn Magee and Jim Rock, and building an unbeaten record that would ultimately be popped in a do-or-die title fight with Dean Pithie in England. By that stage, Paul was battling inside and outside of the ropes as his addictions to gambling and alcohol started to take hold. As always, spending time with Paul is fun, cathartic and informative. His recollection is superb so enjoy as he walks you through the 90s boxing scene. Stay tuned for Part 2 as Paul heads Down Under to spearhead the Irish boxing revolution in Australia that ended up with the likes of Dennis Hogan and TJ Doheny reaching the top. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Conlan is not leaving. After a devastating 2023 in which he lost his second world title shot to Luis Alberto Lopez - followed by defeat against Jordan Gill in Belfast - he seriously considered hanging up the gloves. However he refreshed his mind and body by joining a running club and ran a sub-three hour marathon, he realised he had more to offer the boxing game. Conlan is now between trainers and is trialling some new cornermen as he awaits a bounce-back fight towards the end of the year. He opens up about the pain of defeat, controlling the ego, making tracks as a manager and the determination he has to underline line his legacy by bowing out with a world championship in his locker. Conlan also talks about his admiration for Pierce O'Leary, the rocky road taken by Anthony Cacace to world title glory, Kevin Cronin's progress in the pro ranks and the potential blockbuster bout between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan. We also discuss Ireland's chances at the Paris Olympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From July 27 to August 10, we'll be all about Olympic boxing once again. Ireland will send a 10-strong team to Paris 2024 with every boxer there dreaming of a place on top of the podium to follow in the footsteps of Michael Carruth, Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington.In this episode I'm sitting down with middleweight Aoife O'Rourke and bantamweight Jenny Lehane. O'Rourke, from Roscommon, is about to arrive at her second Games. The four-time European champion is one of Ireland's most under-the-radar athletes but she wouldn't have it any other way. Meath teacher Lehane has put her career on hold to focus on boxing. And after securing her place at Paris 2024, the gamble has already paid off. Both of our guests started off focusing on other sports - O'Rourke on ladies football, Lehane on taekwondo - but will travel with high hopes of taking home boxing hardware. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From July 27 to August 10, we'll be all about Olympic boxing once again. Ireland will send a 10-strong team to Paris 2024 with every boxer there dreaming of a place on top of the podium to follow in the footsteps of Michael Carruth, Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington.In this episode, I'm sitting down with featherweight Jude Gallagher and light-welterweight Dean Clancy, who've risen through the ranks together and will be room-mates in the French capital. A natural successor to the Paddy Barnes-Mick Conlan double act? Maybe, maybe not! What we know is these lads are coming in hot and will be a force to be reckoned with at these Games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From July 27 to August 10, we'll be all about Olympic boxing once again. Ireland will send a 10-strong team to Paris 2024 with every boxer there dreaming of a place on top of the podium to follow in the footsteps of Michael Carruth, Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington.In this episode, I'm sitting down with two boxers who qualified at the final tournament in Bangkok - Grainne Walsh and Daina Moorehouse. They've had contrasting journeys to get to this point. Walsh's story is the epitome of The Rocky Road. Said to be one punch from retirement at one point, she's been through four thumb operations and several other dunts to get to this stage where she's got to be a live contender for the podium in Paris. As for Moorehouse, hoping to become Wicklow's latest gold medallist, she's been chasing these Games down with a sense of destiny behind her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're all on a high at the minute after four more boxers booked their ticket to Paris 2024. It means Ireland have qualified a record ten boxers for the Olympic Games this summer. The final qualifier in Bangkok had ups and downs for the Ireland team but ultimately Daina Moorehouse, Grainne Walsh, Jennifer Lehane and Aidan Walsh got over the line. Our guest Lynne O'Shea was there as a member of the Ireland coaching team - and we're also joined by amateur boxing insider Alan Donnellan for another review of a brilliant tournament for the High Performance squad. We also discuss selection issues - vindicated or not - and the road ahead now for Ireland's ten Olympic boxers. Oh, and #GetLynneOnThePlane Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Joe Nevin is one of Ireland's greatest ever amateur boxers - and some would say THE greatest. He completed the full set of medals - two World Championships bronze (2009, 2011), European Championships gold (2013) and Olympic Games silver (2012). Along the way he put in some of the finest performances Irish boxing fans have ever seen, with the best undoubtedly his London 2012 semi-final win over Cuban world champ Lazaro Alvarez. Now he's set up his own club, Mullingar Shuffler Boxing Club, after the nickname former Ireland coach Billy Walsh gave him while marvelling at his exploits during those Games. Nevin's produced his first Irish champ - son Martin got the honour - so The Rocky Road paid him a visit down in Co Westmeath to discuss a career that started out with a hiding (he was eight, the other guy was 12) and ended up with him being No 1 in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rocky Road paid a visit to Moate, Co Westmeath for a conversation we've been waiting a few years to have. Joe Ward is one of the finest boxers ever to come out of Ireland and why wouldn't he be, when he comes from fighting stock? After all, his grandfather is no other than 'Big' Joe Joyce, AKA The Hulk, AKA The King of the Travellers. He made his name as the bareknuckle champion of these islands but nowadays Big Joe is his grandson's biggest supporter and a keen advocate of boxing inside the ropes.In Part Three, Big Joe talks about his family's enormous success in amateur boxing - and how he manages to snaffle all the belts and medals from his silverware-laden gossuns! Joe Ward looks back at the nights that made his name, from double world success at Junior and Youth level to 2011-2013 wins over Kenneth Egan, multiple European titles, Olympic heartache and redemption attempts in the pro arena. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.