The Fighting Life - Tales from the World of Boxing

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.