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 RoadJoe Gallagher on: Fighting Katie Taylor
Boxing trainer Joe Gallagher is the guest for this week's episode. He speaks to Kevin Byrne about Natasha Jonas' razor-thin loss to Katie Taylor at the weekend…
The Rocky RoadFrancie Barrett: The forgotten pro years
Francie Barrett is the special guest for this week's show. The former Irish Olympian joins Kevin Byrne to reflect on his professional career after starring for…
The Rocky RoadMartin Lindsay and the left hook from hell
Belfast boxing cult hero Martin Lindsay is the guest for this week's show. He talks to Kevin Byrne about his early days on the boxing scene in Belfast and some…
The Rocky RoadDave 'Boy' McAuley on Irish boxing's GOAT
Dave 'Boy' McAuley joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show. The former flyweight world champion reflects on the greatest achievements in Irish boxing since the…
The Rocky RoadDarren Corbett - KO King
Belfast brawler Darren Corbett is the guest for this week's episode. He talks to Kevin Byrne about growing up in Belfast, his stunning amateur KO record and…
The Rocky RoadLou DiBella - From Irish Bars to Irish Champions
Lou DiBella joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The American promoter has been a huge influence in Irish boxing down the years - working with the likes…
The Rocky RoadSpike It Lucky - O'Sullivan's Rebel Treble
Spike O'Sullivan is the guest for this week's episode. In a pro career spanning 13 years, O’Sullivan has been around the block — and says he is only getting…
The Rocky RoadPaul Griffin - Shave the Date. Legendary Dubliner reflects on 30-year anniversary of European gold
Paul Griffin was the guest on this week's episode. It's 30 years since the Drimnagh legend won gold for Ireland at the European Championships. The prankster…
The Rocky RoadSteve Collins' forgotten world title win
Packie Collins joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode to look back at brother, Steve's, first world title win. Whilst 'The Celtic Warrior' is best known for…
The Rocky RoadAnna Moore and the rise of Katie Taylor
Anna Moore joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Limerick native was ringside for most of Katie Taylor's amateur career from her time as team manager…
The Rocky RoadJoe Smith Jr - Building up to the fight of his life
Irish-American fighter Joe Smith Jr joins Kevin Byrne and Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan to talk about his career so far - as he builds up to his world title fight…
The Rocky RoadCarl Frampton - One win away from the Hall of Fame
Legendary American boxing promoter Lou DiBella joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show. First off, DiBella pays tribute to Joe Winters who tragically passed…
The Rocky RoadTiernan Bradley - Behind the scenes at The Money Fight
Tiernan Bradley joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to look back at his role preparing Conor McGregor for his huge fight against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The…
The Rocky RoadHenry Coyle - The Western Warrior
Henry Coyle joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan for this week's episode to look back at his career and route to the world title. The lads also pay their…
The Rocky RoadThe stun Dunne - Bernard Dunne beats Ricardo Cordoba and shocks the world
Ray Moylette and Jim Rock join Kevin Byrne to look back at one of the greatest nights in Irish boxing history: Bernard Dunne's win over Ricardo Cordoba in…
The Rocky RoadNelson's Thriller
Deirdre Nelson joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. She was Ireland’s second female pro — after Deirdre Gogarty, the inspiration for Taylor and Britain’s…
The Rocky RoadPaul McCloskey - Guts and Glory
Paul McCloskey joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan for this week's episode. McCloskey and Donovan crossed paths years back - in the early days of the High…
The Rocky RoadViva Las Fagan
Oisin Fagan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Irishman started his boxing career late, built up a solid following in the United States and fought…
The Rocky Road'Irish' Pat Lawlor still finding his way in life after hanging up the gloves
'Irish' Pat Lawlor joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. Lawlor had 40 pro contests between 1987 and 2005, facing five opponents who finished up in the…
The Rocky RoadBrian Magee - The Road Warrior
1996 Olympian Brian Magee joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode to look back at his big away fights during his pro career. He fought 42 times in the paid…
The Rocky RoadIreland's boxers at the LA 84 Olympics - border patrol, mass shootings and Vidal Sassoon
Tommy Corr, Sam Story and Phil Sutcliffe join Kevin Byrne to look back at their Olympic adventure in LA in 1984. The lads discuss the old amateur days. missing…
The Rocky RoadEric Donovan looking to the future with Packie Collins after Fight Camp experience on Sky Sports
Eric Donovan is the guest for this week's episode as he reflects on his loss to Zelfa Barrett at Fight Camp on Sky Sports. He discusses his move to Celtic…
The Rocky RoadRemembering Darren Sutherland - Eric Donovan, Kenneth Egan, Jimmy Halpin and John Joe Nevin
On this week's episode, former teammates and friends remember the life of Darren Sutherland. Eric Donovan, Kenneth Egan, Jimmy Halpin and John Joe Nevin sit…
The Rocky RoadPaddy Fitzpatrick's journey - Relentlessly bullied, meeting Ali and George Groves' corner at Wembley
Boxing trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick is the guest on this week's episode. The celebrated trainer talks about the torment he received at the hands of bullies and…
The Rocky RoadChristina McMahon and the fight of her life in Zambia
Christina McMahon and her husband/trainer Frick, are the special guests for this week's episode. The pair take us back to the Mulungushi Conference Centre in…
The Rocky RoadPatrick Hyland and the toughest fights of his life
Patrick Hyland is the guest for this week's show. The Dubliner joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his career in boxing, dealing with the loss of his father and…
The Rocky RoadEamonn Loughran and Barry Hearn fought their way to the top of the boxing world together
Eamonn Loughran and Barry Hearn are re-united on this week's show. The pair forged a brilliant working relationship when Eamonn first moved across from…
The Rocky RoadNeil Sinclair - Gotta Roll With It
Former Irish senior champion Neil Sinclair was the guest for this week's episode. He joined Kevin Byrne to talk about his struggles and triumphs inside and…
The Rocky RoadRay Moylette and Joe Ward bring home European gold for Ireland
Ray Moylette and Joe Ward join Kevin Byrne to look back at their 2011 European gold medal wins in Turkey. Ireland hadn't won two gold medals at the…
The Rocky RoadTaking on Mike Tyson
Former heavyweight contender Peter McNeeley joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan to look back at his fight against 'the baddest man on the planet' in 1995. It…
The Rocky RoadIrish boxing's hardest punchers with Eric Donovan, Packie Collins and John Breen
Eric Donovan, Packie Collins and John Breen join Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode to discuss the biggest punchers in Irish boxing history…
The Rocky RoadNate Jones: From the Projects to the Podium
Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire are joined by US Olympic medalist-turned-trainer Nate Jones to look back at his remarkable life so far. He talks about his early…
The Rocky RoadBeijing Boxing 2008 - Billy Walsh, Kenneth Egan and John Joe Joyce
Billy Walsh, Kenneth Egan and John Joe Joyce join Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to look back at Ireland's success at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Hosted on…
The Rocky RoadMichael Carruth's last stand
Jim Rock joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to look back at Irish Olympic gold medalist Michael Carruth's last professional fight. The guys also discuss his…
The Rocky Road'Irish' Jack O'Halloran: A Jack of all trades
'Irish' Jack O'Halloran joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's show. The former boxer-turned-actor has a storied career from fighting George…
The Rocky RoadFighting Roberto Duran
Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire are joined by former Irish-American boxer Mike Culbert as he looks back at his most famous fight against his idol, Roberto Duran…
The Rocky RoadBangs of London
Olympic bronze medalist Michael Conlan and Irish featherweight champion Eric Donovan join Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to look back at Ireland's success at…
The Rocky RoadWayne's World is rocked
Olympic silver medalist and former WBC Bantamweight world champion Wayne McCullough joined Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire on Rocky Road: Rewind to look back at…
The Rocky RoadThe Irishman who finished Mike Tyson
Packie Collins joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to look back at Kevin McBride's stunning stoppage win over Mike Tyson. The loss sent 'The baddest man on the…
The Rocky RoadKiko Martinez demolishes The Point
Jim Rock joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to review Bernard Dunne's stunning loss to Kiko Martinez in 2007. Jim also shares a story about Matthew…