Shows / The Rocky Road
The Rocky Road
An Irish boxing podcast that fans of all sports will love. No one gets to the top without overcoming adversity, in sport or in life. But as Rocky Balboa said, ‘it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward’. Every week on The Rocky Road, host Kevin Byrne and producer Simon Maguire will bring you the distance on some of the wildest journeys the sport has to offer. Pain, pride, passion and politics, the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It's about how…
Episodes
The Rocky Road100th Episode: Gerry Creighton - Fighting for Elephants
Legendary Dublin ZooKeeper and former Irish amateur boxing champion Gerry Creighton joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to reflect on his extraordinary life…
The Rocky RoadTommy McCarthy: Stand Up and Fight
Tommy McCarthy joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast brawler talks about his new podcast, his journey into stand-up comedy and he looks ahead…
The Rocky RoadRuss Anber - Inside Usyk's Camp
Russ Anber joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. Fresh from working Oleksandr Usyk's corner for his win over Anthony Joshua at the weekend - Anber talks…
The Rocky RoadMichael Conlan - Exorcising Demons
Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast brawler is fresh off his victory over Miguel Marriaga where he admits the win helped him…
The Rocky RoadDamien Denny - From the Ring to the Big Screen
Damien Denny joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his career inside the squared circle and how he ended up acting across from Daniel Day…
The Rocky RoadBarcelona Olympics - The Class of 92
30 years on from an unforgettable week in Irish sporting history - three members of Ireland's Olympic boxing team join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the glory days…
The Rocky RoadCallum Walsh - Explosive
Rising Irish light-middleweight Callum Walsh is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to discuss his switch to the pro ranks, working…
The Rocky RoadFeargal McCrory - Long Road Back to the Ring
Feargal McCrory is the special guest for this week's episode. The undefeated boxer joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his career to date and how he hopes to kick…
The Rocky RoadPaddy last - Following Ali into the Ring at Croke Park
Paddy Doherty joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Donegal boxer talks about his journey in the sport which culminated in fighting on the same card…
The Rocky RoadMickey Vann - Ringmaster: From the Circus to the Boxing Ring
Legendary boxing referee Mickey Vann joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He reflects on his early life and how he ended up moving from the circus to the…
The Rocky RoadGabriel Dossen - European Champion
Gabriel Dossen joins Kevin Byrne and Joe Ward for this week's episode. The newly crowned European champion reflects on his journey to the top and what the…
The Rocky RoadMuhammad Ali - Fifteen Rounds in the Wilderness
Author Dave Hannigan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He discusses his new book on Muhammad Ali - reflecting on the lesser known period of his life…
The Rocky RoadEric Donovan - Another Crack at Glory
Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode to announce he will get a shot at European glory. The finer details are still to be sorted out but…
The Rocky RoadKeane McMahon - All roads lead to MSG
Keane McMahon is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his journey in life as he prepares to fight at Madison Square…
The Rocky RoadMike Mongan - Training Champions
Mike Mongan is the special guest for this week's episode. The Head Coach from the Olympic boxing club in Galway is celebrating a huge couple of weeks of…
The Rocky RoadRegan Buckley - Bucking the Trend
Regan Buckley is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his days in the Irish amateur ranks, his shock move professional…
The Rocky RoadRichard Maynard: Paper champ
Richard Maynard is the special guest for this week's episode. He previously worked for Hall Of Fame boxing promoter Frank Warren for 18 years - overseeing PR…
The Rocky RoadHistory at Madison Square Garden
Former boxers Christy Martin and Patrick Hyland join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the epic lightweight title fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano at…
The Rocky RoadHistory Makers - Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano
Myles Casey joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode to look ahead to the historic main event fight at Madison Square Garden this weekend…
The Rocky RoadPackie Collins - Calling the shots
Packie Collins joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The head trainer at the Celtic Warrior Gym discusses the recent fights of Eric Donovan and Ray…
The Rocky RoadTaka Mhandu - Aiming for the Top
Taka Mhandu is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Simon Maguire to talk about his introduction to MMA, his sporting idols and his future plans…
The Rocky RoadEamon McAuley - Fighting to Find Peace
Eamon McAuley and Jim Rock are the special guests for this week's episode. The pair join Kevin Byrne to talk about McAuley's new book: 'Fighting to Find Peace…
The Rocky RoadRay Moylette - Back in the Game
Ray Moylette is the special guest for this week's episode. The Mayo brawler is back in the ring on March 26th in Leeds when he takes on Dalton Smith on the…
The Rocky RoadRoger Lee - Working the pads
Roger Lee is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his journey in the sport, working with Emanuel Steward in Detroit…
The Rocky RoadThe Klitschko Brothers and the fight of their lives
Tom Loeffler joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Managing Director of K2 Promotions has worked closely with the Klitschko brothers over the years…
The Rocky RoadMichael Conlan - Time Is Now
Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his crazy teenage years, his move through the amateur ranks to the pro game, forming…
The Rocky RoadEric Donovan - This is Your Fight
Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. 'Lilywhite Lightning' is facing a huge challenge when he takes on double-Olympic champion Robeisy…
The Rocky RoadTommy Tolan - Fighting to Survive
Belfast boxer Tommy Tolan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Ballymurphy native has some story and has fought some of the best Irish and British…
The Rocky RoadNiall Kennedy - One Last Crack
Niall Kennedy joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Irish star reflects on his career to date and discusses his plans for the future. He also…
The Rocky RoadLeo Santa Cruz' Belfast Connection
This week we look back at the rivalry between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton. Kevin Byrne is joined by journalist, David Mohan, to reflect on two epic bouts…
The Rocky RoadKevin Sheehy - A Life Remembered
Paddy Donovan and Ken Moore join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the life of Kevin Sheehy. The two were good friends of Sheehy prior to his death and reminisce about…
The Rocky RoadThe Fighting Irish
Colin Hart joins Kevin Byrne to look back at the Irish fighters he covered during his legendary career. From Barry McGuigan to Katie Taylor, 'The Voice of…
The Rocky RoadDonal Ward - From the GAA pitch to the ring
Former Roscommon gaelic football star Donal Ward joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. Ward talks about his journey in sport and how he's looking to…
The Rocky RoadThe Additional Needs High Five Boxing Academy
Kevin Byrne is joined by Paddy Dingle, who came up with the idea for the initiative for the Additional Needs High Five Boxing Academy, Nuala O’Donovan from the…
The Rocky RoadColin Hart's Top Heavyweight Fights
Colin Hart joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The legendary Sun boxing expert reveals his top heavyweight contests in the aftermath of the Fury-Wilder…
The Rocky RoadAnthony Cacace - Chasing Glory
Anthony Cacace joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast boxer talks about the highs and lows of the sport as he chases his world title dream. He…
The Rocky RoadEmmet Brennan - Living the Olympic Dream
Emmet Brennan joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan for this week's episode. The Dubliner talks about his journey from the first time he put on a pair of gloves…
The Rocky RoadSteve Collins v Nigel Benn 25th anniversary special
Steve Collins joins Kevin Byrne to look back at his rivalry with Nigel Benn.'The Celtic Warrior' fought Benn twice in 1996 for the WBO super-middleweight title…
The Rocky RoadFrank O'Sullivan - Solid Gold
Cork native and Birmingham boxing legend, Frank O'Sullivan, is the special guest for this week's podcast. The Irishman is a boxing phenomenon in his adopted…
The Rocky RoadAngelo Dundee at 100 - The Rocky Ros Muc on his old friend and trainer
Sean Mannion joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show. The Rocky Ros Muc joins the podcast to talk about his old friend and trainer, Angelo Dundee, who would…
The Rocky RoadMickey Hawkins - Belfast Boxing Icon
Head coach at Holy Trinity Boxing Club in Belfast, Mickey Hawkins, joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his early days in the sport in…
The Rocky RoadLeonard Gunning - Growing Irish boxing
Leonard Gunning joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode. The Boxing Ireland promoter talks about his own interest in the sport and the…
The Rocky RoadCon Sheehan - Walking away with no regrets
Con Sheehan is the guest for this week's podcast. The rising heavyweight packed in the pro game despite going 6-0 early in the paid ranks. He talks to Kevin…
The Rocky RoadThomas Carty - Learning from the Best
Rising Irish heavyweight Thomas Carty joined Kevin Byrne for this week's show. He talks about his move into professional boxing and working with Paschal…
The Rocky RoadSinead Kavanagh - Chasing Glory
Boxer-turned-MMA star Sinead Kavanagh joined Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode. The Dubliner had a decorated amateur boxing career but is…
The Rocky RoadKatie Taylor - Global Superstar
Barry Hearn joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The legendary promoter talks about the changing landscape in professional boxing and Katie Taylor's rise…
The Rocky RoadTrailblazers - Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor
Irish featherweight champ Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode to discuss trailblazing boxers Kellie Harrington and Katie…
The Rocky RoadDean Byrne - Sparring Manny Pacquiao and Finding God
Dean Byrne joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show ahead of Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring. The Dubliner befriended 'Pacman' when he sparred the Filipino…
The Rocky RoadOlympic Boxing Review with Adam Nolan and Lynne O'Shea
Adam Nolan and Lynne O'Shea join Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. They discuss Ireland's Olympic success in the ring after medals for Kellie Harrington and…
The Rocky RoadHugh Russell - Irish Derby Delights
Hugh Russell joins Kevin Byrne to look back at his domestic clashes with Davy Larmour. 'Little Red' won and Olympic bronze for Ireland in 1980 before going pro…
The Rocky Road50th Episode Bonanza
Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire look back the first 49 episodes of the Rocky Road: Rewind. The lads discuss some of the best guests they've had on the show since…
The Rocky RoadCaoimhin Agyarko - No Regrets
Caoimhin Agyarko is the guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to chat about his decision to turn pro, his thoughts on the Irish Olympic team and…
The Rocky RoadNiall O'Connor - For the love of the sport
Rising Irish star Niall O'Connor joined Simon Maguire for this week's episode. The Dubliner talked about his career so far, how he has managed to keep active…
The Rocky RoadFighting Legends - David Diaz on facing Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao
Former lightweight champ David Diaz joins Simon Maguire for this week's episode. Diaz was a 1996 Olympian before turning pro and enjoying a stellar 15-year…
The Rocky RoadDave 'Boy' McAuley - Third time's a charm
Dave 'Boy' McAuley joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Larne fighter won the IBF flyweight title in 1989 against Duke McKenzie but credits his world…
The Rocky RoadJonjo Finnegan and the fight of his life
Jonjo Finnegan joins Kevin Byrne and Jim Rock on this week's episode. Finnegan and Rock look back on their Irish title fight in 2008. Finnegan goes on to talk…
The Rocky RoadJason Quigley - Back on the road to the world title
Jason Quigley joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan to look back at his win over Shane Mosley Jr at the weekend. The Irish fighter now has his eyes firmly set on…
The Rocky RoadTony Davitt - A life in boxing
Tony Davitt - a legend of Irish boxing - joins Kevin Byrne and Kenneth Egan for this week's episode. They look back at Davitt's legendary career in the corner…
The Rocky RoadWillie 'Big Bang' Casey - The Southill southpaw who became European champion
Willlie Casey is the special guest for this week's episode. He talks to Kevin Byrne about his 'unreal' 2010 which saw him go from 3-0 to European champion…
The Rocky RoadTwo Irishmen abroad - Eddie Bolger and Billy Walsh
Eddie Bolger and Billy Walsh join Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The two Wexford natives left Irish boxing to take up roles with Germany and the USA and…