The Rocky Road

In Part One of his extraordinary interview on The Rocky Road, we sit down with legendary Cavan Boxing Gym coach, Brian McKeown. Brian takes us back to the 1960s, a time when he sought opportunity in London. He recounts finding an unlikely sanctuary and a mentor in George Francis's gym, a rare beacon of inclusivity in an era notoriously marked by 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' prejudice. But Brian's journey took a dramatic turn when he returned home, becoming caught up in the Republican struggle. He shares his experiences, including a chilling run-in with the infamous Robert Nairac, and how his path led him back to Ireland with a new life ahead in Cavan. This is a powerful and candid look at the early, defining chapters of Brian McKeown’s Rocky Road.

Andrew Murray, the quiet Cavan boxer, walked a Rocky Road unlike any other. As a child, he battled Perthes disease, and, despite doctors warning he could end up in a wheelchair if he boxed, the young Andrew was transfixed by Eubank and Benn, igniting an unyielding desire to step between the ropes.He defied medical caution, joining Cavan Boxing Club, and rose to become a three-time Irish Elite champion and a two-weight professional Irish champion. Andrew fought alongside a golden generation of Irish pros like Bernard Dunne, Andy Lee, John Duddy and Matthew Macklin. He shared bills with champions and contenders, from Paul McCloskey's world title night against Amir Khan, to fighting on the same card as Tyson Fury, and proudly headlining RTE fight nights.From a challenging loss to Gavin Rees after preparing in remote Ros Muc, to his final victory on a raucous Henry Coyle night in Mayo, Andrew's career was a testament to his quiet determination. In his first podcast interview, we look back at it all.

Now as Katie Taylor basks in the glory of her latest victory over Amanda Serrano, cementing an epic trilogy with a third win over her great rival, the boxing world is wondering, ‘what’s next?’ But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it’s worth staying in the moment for just a little while longer. Today’s guest, Katie’s dad Pete Taylor, coached her throughout her amateur career but told us something surprising about how he takes in her professional endeavours. We discuss the game-plan, his input, what sets Katie apart from all the rest and then, yes, we get to what’s next. Will she fight on? What’s left to conquer? And is Croke Park a possibility? All this and more on The Rocky Road.

The biggest fight in women's boxing is just days away. On this episode of The Rocky Road, we dive deep into Taylor-Serrano III – the historic Netflix showdown at Madison Square Garden on July 11. We'll preview the action, break down the 2-0 scoreline, and explore all the angles. We're joined for this special episode by Sinead Babington, the Irish maths and chemistry teacher who somehow became a pro boxer in Mexico. Sinead shares her unconventional journey, from turning over in 2022 to fighting five tough contests in a place that’s home to the roughest, toughest and most determined fighters in the business. Don't miss this unique look at the fight game, from the very top to the toughest proving grounds.

Katie Taylor says she doesn't need this fight, but Amanda Serrano certainly does! On July 11, at Madison Square Garden, the two titans clash for Taylor-Serrano III – live on Netflix to a global audience of potentially tens of millions.Join Kevin Byrne and producer Simon Maguire on The Rocky Road as they dissect this historic trilogy. We'll examine why Taylor, despite being 2-0 up (24-1 record for Katie, 47-3-1 for Serrano), is taking this risk. We'll dive into the controversial commentary of their last bout, debate if Serrano was truly the best option, whether a third Cameron fight is off the table, and most importantly: what happens for Katie Taylor if Serrano finally gets the win? Don't miss this deep dive into boxing's most compelling rivalry.

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.

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.

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.

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.