Tales from the Ring

Crawford Ashley is one of Britains best Light-Heavyweight champions of modern times. He is a former British, Commonwealth and European champion. He fought 7 world champions in his career and fought for 3 world titles at 3 different weights. In this episode, Crawford opens up about some tough times during his school days in the 1970's. His amateur career was glittered with titles at British schoolb...

Tony Currie was a successful amateur boxer from Belfast who boxed for St. Agnes boxing club. He would win Ulster and Irish senior titles at both Middleweight and Heavyweight during his career. He would represent Ireland and was controversially not included in the 1992 Irish Olympic qualifying team. Since retiring, he has become a very talented artist and has gone on to become a sculptor. He recent...

Brendan Lowe was a very successful amateur boxer, firstly in Canada winning 2 national titles. He then moved back home to Belfast and began his senior career. He would go on to win Ulster and Irish senior titles, represent Ireland and pick up a Commonwealth bronze medal in 1986. He would retire from boxing at only 22 years of age after falling out of love with the sport. Brendan has also come thro...

Damien chats to me about his boxing journey, starting of as a young amateur boxer in Lisburn. We go through some of his major contests in the Ulster and Irish senior championships, as well as Commonwealth, European and World championship. We then discuss Damien’s professional career and the highs and lows of that journey. We also talk about the opportunity he was given to train and work alongside...

In this episode, we discuss Wayne’s world championships contests beginning with his WBC Bantamweight title win away in Japan against reigning champion, Yasuei Yakushiji. Wayne then goes into detail about his battles with world champions, Daniel Zaragoza, Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales and many more. We also discuss his move into coaching and even the possibility of an exhibition with Carl Frampton in...

I chat to Irish boxing legend, Wayne ‘pocket rocket’ McCullough about his amazing career. In episode 1, we focus on the amateur career in Ireland and his success at Commonwealth and Olympic Games. We also talk about his transition to professional boxing and moving to the United States. He would have a quick rise in the pro game would get himself to number 1 contender for the world championship wit...

In this episode, I look back at the amazing battle between Bernard Dunne and Ricardo Cordoba at the Point Arena in Dublin 2009. The pair had one of the greatest ever fights held in an Irish ring for the WBA Super-Bantamweight title.

In the season 1 finale of the podcast, I sit down with two Larne boxing legends. Dave boy McAuley is one of Irelands greatest ever boxers. He was a top amateur and went on to win British and IBF world titles in his pro career. He defended his world title 6 times and had some classic battles with world champions Fidel Bassa, Duke McKenzie and Rodolfo Blanco. Roy Webb was a fantastic amateur boxer w...

Mark Ginley sits down to tell me his very unique boxing journey. He started of as a successful amateur boxer at Oliver Plunkett ABC in Belfast, before turning professional and winning 4 of his 5 contests. After retiring at 22 years of age he then moved into promoting and managing boxers. More recently, he has started his own gym business with his brother, Ray.

In this episode, Neil takes us through the journey to challenging for the world title and becoming British & Irish champion. We go into depth about the 3 defences he made to win the Lonsdale belt outright and find out how he is staying involved in the sport today.

Neil talks me through how he got started in boxing and progressed as an amateur boxer at Monkstown ABC. We focus on his World Junior Bronze medal in 1992 and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1994. Neil then explains his decision to turn professional and the obstacles he had to overcome early on in his career.

Joe chats to me about his journey to qualify for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. We discuss how his career ended, as well as what he is now doing to stay involved in the sport.

Joe Lowe talks to me about his boxing journey. We discuss how he began his boxing career in Canada and how he eventually became a decorated senior boxer in Ireland. We also discuss some of the major tournaments he competed in and the world class opponents he faced along the way.

I speak to current Irish coach of the year, Dee Walsh about his boxing career to date. We talk about his own journey as an amateur boxer, as well as his professional career. Dee opens up about why he retired so young at the height of his pro career and explains how he has transitioned to becoming a top coach. We also talk about his current stable of champions and what his goals are for the future.

In this episode Stephen chats to me about his bronze medal success at the world senior championships in Budapest in 1997. We also discuss his career ending due to medical reasons and how he coped with this, and what he has been doing since retirement.

Stephen Kirk chats to me about his journey in boxing. We begin with him joining Cairn Lodge ABC and how he developed to become a champion in Ireland and abroad. This episode culminates with his victory at the Commonwealth championships in South Africa in 1996.

Conrad Cummings takes me through his boxing journey. We go in depth about his amateur career, fighting in the WSB as well as turning professional and twice winning WBO European titles. Conrad also goes in depth about some low points in his career and explains what he is now doing as a retired fighter.

In part 2, Ryan Lindberg talks me through his journey as a senior boxer. We discuss his Irish elite title win in 2007, representing Ireland at the World senior championships as well as winning numerous multi-nations medals. Ryan also details his decision to retire from boxing at only 23 years of age and what he is up to now.

Ryan Lindberg talks to me about his journey as a young amateur boxer at Immaculata ABC in Belfast. We go through his early career and successes which lead up to him representing Northern Ireland at the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode we go through his contests against fighters such as Carl Frampton, Scott Quigg, Paddy Barnes and Jamie Conlan.

Patrick Magee sits down to talk to me about his journey in boxing, starting of as a successful amateur at Sacred Heart ABC in Belfast. Patrick is one of four brothers from Ardoyne to box, and his story has many highs and some low points thrown in. Patrick has been a coach at Ligoneil boxing club for over 2O years and has coached many champions including his own 3 sons. We also talk about him being...

In episode 2, Paul talks me through his professional boxing career. Beginning with moving to London to train for his first 4 pro fights, to boxing on Tyson Fury's undercard. Other highlights from his short professional career included topping his own bill in Downpatrick, as well as boxing outdoors in Belfast. Paul also goes into detail about his struggles since retirement and his recent success st...

Former County Down professional boxer, Paul Quinn talks me through his amateur career at the Mourne All Blacks. We go in-depth about his many successes, as well as his disappointments in his amateur career.

This is part 2 of the Eamon Loughran podcast. We will get into his title successes at Commonwealth and World level and how life now is after boxing.

In this episode, I will sit down with former WBO Welterweight champion, Eamon Loughran to chat about his boxing story. In this first episode, we chat about his beginnings in the sport and his huge successes as an amateur boxer. We will then focus on the professional career in the famous Barney Eastwood stable in Belfast, before moving on to London to join the Barry Hearn, Matchroom stable.

This is the final episode of the Noel Magee podcast. This will focus on the end of his career and his life after boxing.