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The Rocky Road
St. Pierce's Day
St Pierce's Day weekend is coming. It’s going to be a big night of boxing at the 3Arena on March 14, headlined by the world title fight between Anthony Cacace and WBA champ, Jazza Dickens. The chief support bout sees Pierce O’Leary fighting in Dublin at long last. The local boxer takes on Portsmouth’s Mark Chamberlain for the IBO world title at light-welterweight. Big Bang has previously held the European title and is one of the leading lights in a red-hot division, where UK rival Dalton Smith recently became WBC champion with a sensational knockout of Subriel Matias in New York. Other belt holders in the division include Teofimo Lopez, who holds the WBO strap, and Richardson Hitchins, who’s the IBF kingpin right now. Ireland’s also got talent in there, with Sean McComb clearly a match for anyone given his recent performances, and he’s been heavily linked with a showdown with O’Leary which could possibly go down later this year. Gary Cully, who boxes on the Dublin card, is also hoping to join the mix after moving up a weight class. But first, while the headliner is a mouthwatering contest, for many this is the O’Leary show. Promised a homecoming for several years now, he’s linked up with Brian Peters, who brought big-time boxing back to Dublin in the 2000s with Bernard Dunne and did it again in recent years with Katie Taylor. Now O’Leary is the man to take the mantle. His performances in recent years have absolutely warranted it, his popularity is undeniable, and now it’s here. Today he’ll tell us why he’s ready to deal with all the pressure that comes with it, why he and his team get annoyed with being typecast as simply a banger, and why he’ll finish out his camp back in his hometown. We also hear from Chamberlain. The 27-year-old from Portsmouth, with 17 wins, 1 defeat and 1 draw, is by some distance O’Leary’s biggest obstacle yet. He tells us why he feels all the pressure is on his opponent, how he’s dealt with his own experiences of pressure after being anointed as Saudi powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh’s favourite fighter, and how he came to boxing as a way of dealing with potential bullies as a kid. Last week we heard from a young Dublin heavyweight who’ll be making his professional debut on the show, in Adam Olaniyan. Today it’s the turn of rising light-middleweight Bobbi Flood, who’ll also be joining the paid ranks on March 14 after signing with Queensbury Promotions. Flood’s name is well known within Irish boxing circles and he’s ready to announce his name to the world, going in with the aim of becoming world champion inside five years. He’s been sparring with pros since his mid-teens and, after a spell working as a mechanic, realised he had to go all-in to pursue his dream. This is The Rocky Road to Dublin, Part 2. (Podcast Photo Credit: Andrew Heeney Media)
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35. Katie Taylor - The Epic Finale
01:15:53||Season 7, Ep. 35Kevin Byrne is joined by Gavan Casey to reflect on an epic night at Croke Park as Katie Taylor's celebrated career came to an end as a unified world champion after victory over Flora Pili. Kevin also catches up with Taylor's trainer Ross Enamait and RTE's Siobhan Madigan.
34. Katie Taylor's Final Fight
40:06||Season 7, Ep. 34It's finally here - Katie Taylor will fight at Croke Park this weekend in her sold-out finale against Flora Pili. Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire look ahead to what could be described as the greatest goodbye in boxing history. The Irish icon will lace up the gloves for one final fight which will be broadcast on RTE in Ireland and DAZN around the globe.
33. Brian Peters: GIFD - Part 2
47:05||Season 7, Ep. 33The conversation continues in Part 2 as Brian Peters opens up on his decade-long bond with Katie Taylor and why they’ve operated on a handshake deal without a contract. Brian sets the record straight on the Amanda Serrano and Chantelle Cameron fights, reflects on coming out of retirement in Connemara to change Irish sport forever and shares a brilliant story about spending a day in a hotel room with Muhammad Ali before they headed to a classic Irish boxing bout involving Steve Collins. Plus, Brian reveals details about Katie's life after boxing - from producing a brand-new theatrical stage play about her life (featuring a 21-date tour, Q&A, and dates in the Aran Islands) to launching new business where the plan is to fight just as hard in the boardroom as she did in the boxing ring. We also discuss in greater detail his workings with Irishmen Pierce O'Leary, Steven Cairns and Adam Olaniyan - with the retirement ship most definitely skuttled at Killary Harbour.
32. Brian Peters: GIFD - Part 1
44:11||Season 7, Ep. 32In Part 1 of an exclusive two-part interview, legendary boxing manager Brian Peters joins Kevin Byrne to break down Katie Taylor’s historic Croke Park fight night and the landmark deal to bring live boxing back to RTÉ. Brian reflects on the 17-minute sell-out demand, why he and KT refuse to take 'no' for an answer, suddenly and unexpectedly getting emotional at the press conference, the importance of building on momentum when you have it, emphasising the power of GAA HQ to the Brits, his time working with the Meath footballers in the 90s and a late-night run-in with Hollywood actor Colm Meaney.
31. Aaron McKenna's World Title - The View from the Corner
01:02:23||Season 7, Ep. 31Cornerman Tony Dunlop joins us to discuss Aaron McKenna’s IBF world middleweight title victory at the 3Arena. We talk about the years of hard work put in by dad and coach Fergal and his sons Aaron and Stevie, and why Belfast Kronk veteran Dunlop, who assists Fergal in the corner, believes this is only the beginning for Team McKenna.Tony also worked with Andy Lee, another Irish world middleweight champion, meaning he has cornered two of the four in Irish boxing history. He was there for some of Lee’s finest nights, including THAT knockout victory over Carl Daniels at Madison Square Garden.Tony reflects on his time at Detroit’s Kronk Gym, the lessons he learnt from Emanuel Steward, and James Tennyson’s explosive career, which brought Irish, Commonwealth, British and European titles. He also discusses his own fighting days, which included Elite success and three professional bouts before he hung up the gloves at 21 and moved into coaching.Tony is a proper boxing man, and it was a treat to hear some of his stories.
30. 3Arena Debrief
51:34||Season 7, Ep. 30Not for the first time, the 3Arena/O2/Point Depot has proven to be a house of pain for Irish boxing. Following in the footsteps of Bernard Dunne and Katie Taylor, Pierce O’Leary lost his unbeaten record in an enthralling encounter with Mark Chamberlain - a bout that is certain to make plenty of Fight-of-the-Year lists. Down twice early on and battling a bloodied, broken nose, Big Bang got right back into the contest by blasting Chamberlain to the canvas in a power-packed seventh round. However, just when the comeback looked on, he found himself on the receiving end of a vicious combination as his composed opponent managed to take him out. It capped off a brutal night that also saw the gallant Lee Reeves rushed to the hospital by ambulance after being knocked out by Gary Cully in one of the evening’s Irish derbies.I’m joined by Joe O’Neill to intro the show, as we discuss the conflicting feelings a night like this brings, before hearing from pundits Carl Frampton, Darren Barker, and Barry Jones on the spectacle these boxers delivered for the Dublin crowd. We also hear from world champ Anto Cacace, who was in town to catch the action. Gary Cully talks to us from his dressing room immediately after his win over Reeves, sending his thoughts to his stricken opponent after possibly rescuing his own career with that late shot. We also feature reaction from Sean McComb and Adam Olaniyan, both winners on the card, as well as Craig O’Brien and Senan Kelly, who both suffered knockout defeats on the night. Dave Coldwell, trainer of Kelly’s conqueror Steven Cairns, tells us why his man can go right to the top, while Mayo middleweight Eoghan Lavin helps us sum up a night that will be remembered for reasons both good and bad. All of us at The Rocky Road send our love and support to Lee Reeves, his family, and his friends during this tough time. Get well soon, Lee.
29. Joe Ward - Time To Shine
42:51||Season 7, Ep. 29Today, we’re joined by a man with one of the most decorated records in modern Irish boxing: three European gold medals, two World Championship silver medals, an Olympic appearance and a career as a professional contender.Since turning professional, his path hasn’t always been straightforward. From overcoming a freak injury on his debut in New York to stringing together a run of victories, his most recent opponent – inactivity – has proved one of the toughest of all.But that all ends at the 3Arena on 8 August, when he takes on dangerous knockout artist Artjom Kasparian. With 14 wins and 12 KOs, including four last year, the Armenian-born Dutchman, who is based in Manchester, isn’t coming to play. But neither is Joe Ward.The Westmeath southpaw explains how he has stayed ready in the gym despite not fighting since 2024, why beating up journeymen wouldn’t have done him much good anyway and why he is primed to deliver a statement performance on his Zuffa Boxing debut. But it isn’t all about the performance – it’s also about bringing out the dog inside him and winning by any means necessary.Joe also discusses the recent struggles of his former amateur team and why its boxers need to show that same fighting spirit to bring home medals. He reflects on his time alongside Katie Taylor and explains why he can’t wait for her Croke Park swansong. He also talks about the huge loss to Irish boxing following Zaur Antia’s departure for the USA and his joy at seeing his two sons follow in his footsteps by becoming Irish champions in their own right.The card also features Aaron McKenna fighting for a world title and Callum Walsh making his Irish return. But if anyone thinks boxing is solely a young man’s game, the veteran is adamant that class is permanent – and he intends to prove it on the night.
28. Pierce O'Leary - Ready To Leave His Mark
55:37||Season 7, Ep. 28We hit Dublin Docklands BC this week to sit down with local hero Pierce O’Leary, who’s back in town for his rescheduled dust-up with Mark Chamberlain at the 3Arena on 1 August.‘Big Bang’ tells us what it’s like to get exactly what he’s been looking for – and has sacrificed so much for – as he explains just how hungry he is to tear into his opponent less than 1km from his gaff.He outlines why his ‘go in there and f*** s*** up’ mentality will serve him well in this fight and admits he’s had to dodge his granny’s sweet drawer when calling over for cups of tea during camp, as well as the coddle she loves to serve up.We also touch on call-outs, getting cosy in the cot and Croke Park as O’Leary prepares to enter fight mode.As well as Pierce, we speak to his former amateur coach Philip Keogh, who remains part of his team during these heady professional days. Philip tells us about the boy wonder who first walked through the doors, motivating inner-city kids and the push and pull that has seen some of Ireland’s finest fighters leave the amateur set-up before completing their Olympic cycles – O’Leary included.
27. Sean McComb - Who Wants It?
55:31||Season 7, Ep. 27Belfast’s elite 140lb technician Sean McComb joins the pod to discuss the high-stakes, low-reward reality of being one of the most avoided fighters in world boxing.With an August 1 date at the 3Arena fast approaching and opponents still playing hide-and-seek, ‘Sugar Sean’ opens up about the immense frustration of belonging to the ‘Who Needs ’Em?’ club. We discuss the surreal experience of being recognised around town as ‘that podcaster’ rather than ‘that boxer’, proof that The Public Nuisance is flying, even if it brings a different kind of spotlight. He also explains why he was probably better off in the long run not qualifying for Rio 2016.Eleven years ago, Sean told Kevin he was fighting to secure an early retirement. Today, the gym owner and podcaster explains why being a ‘people person’ means he actually wants to stay busy for ever.He also breaks down the domestic scene, making it clear that he wants to fight everyone, including card-topper Pierce O’Leary. Finally, he explains why his 6ft-plus southpaw style would dismantle global superstar Shakur Stevenson and how his training-camp wit disarms the great Katie Taylor.