Episodes

  • Jack Johnson: Boxing's First Black Heavyweight Champ

    Jack Johnson: Boxing's First Black Heavyweight Champ
    Feb 22 2024

    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.


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    34 mins
  • Tommy Burns: Boxing's Smallest Heavyweight Champ

    Tommy Burns: Boxing's Smallest Heavyweight Champ
    Jan 10 2024
    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.

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    24 mins
  • Jim Jeffries: Boxing's Fallen Hero

    Jim Jeffries: Boxing's Fallen Hero
    Dec 3 2023
    In this episode of The Fighting Life we're telling the story of a heavyweight boxer who reigned as champion from 1899 to 1905. He was big, strong and quick, with incredible endurance. Hailed as a Hercules of the ring in his era, today he's a footnote to history, best known for his loss to Jack Johnson, in what was one of the ugliest scenes in boxing history. Find out where it all went wrong for James J Jeffries.

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    31 mins
  • Peter Jackson, Boxing's Uncrowned King

    Peter Jackson, Boxing's Uncrowned King
    Oct 26 2023

    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.


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    43 mins
  • Bob Fitzsimmons: The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall

    Bob Fitzsimmons: The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall
    Sep 27 2023
    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.

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    29 mins
  • James Corbett: The Gentleman Boxer with a Mean Streak

    James Corbett: The Gentleman Boxer with a Mean Streak
    Sep 13 2023
    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.

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    38 mins
  • John L Sullivan: The Brawling Boozer Who Changed Boxing Forever

    John L Sullivan: The Brawling Boozer Who Changed Boxing Forever
    Aug 26 2023
    In the first episode of The Fighting Life, we explore the life and times of the Boston Strong Boy, John L Sullivan, the last heavyweight bareknuckle champion of the world and the first world champion under the Queensbury Rules. A knockout artist who loved a drink, his rise and fall serve as a powerful warning about the perils of fame of fortune.

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    33 mins