Category: Interviews

Skye Nicolson: “It’s really hard to let go of that dream when you have been so close to it.”

Skye Nicolson: "It's really hard to let go of that dream when you have been so close to it." There is something seriously impressive about Skye Nicolson. The calm controlled and thoughtful demeanour on the other end of our Zoom call radiates confidence and assuredness. Skye seems in total control of her life and career, … Continue reading Skye Nicolson: “It’s really hard to let go of that dream when you have been so close to it.” →

Todd Snyder: “Both worlds represent the best of the human spirit.”

Todd Snyder: “Both worlds represent the best of the human spirit.” By Chris Akers                                              Around this time last year, I interviewed Todd Snyder about his biography of Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown, who as well as being Muhammad Ali’s cornerman, wrote some of Ali’s most often quoted lines, such as ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a … Continue reading Todd Snyder: “Both worlds represent the best of the human spirit.” →

Mikaela Mayer: “I have a little gangster in me and I can sit there and bang if I have to.”

Mikaela Mayer: "I have a little gangster in me and I can sit there and bang if I have to." There are nights in a fighter's career where reputations are broken or made. Nights when they have to reach deep down into their souls, often, far deeper than they would like to. Everything comes at … Continue reading Mikaela Mayer: “I have a little gangster in me and I can sit there and bang if I have to.” →

Natasha Jonas: “I’ve made a decision that’s best for me and my family.”

Natasha Jonas: "I've made a decision that's best for me and my family." The first time I ever interviewed Natasha Jonas she had just wrapped up filming for a TV drama called Clink. Jonas played an inmate in a women’s prison, and in many ways, another different type of captivity has just ended. Boxing politics … Continue reading Natasha Jonas: “I’ve made a decision that’s best for me and my family.” →

Carly Skelly: “Regardless of whether it’s two-minute rounds or three minutes, we are still taking punches to the head and we deserve more money.”

Carly Skelly: "Regardless of whether it's two-minute rounds or three minutes, we are still taking punches to the head and we deserve more money." Liverpool's Carly Skelly has had a tough time of late, fights falling through, an extended absence from the ring, all the momentum from her last fight was seemingly lost. Skelly fought … Continue reading Carly Skelly: “Regardless of whether it’s two-minute rounds or three minutes, we are still taking punches to the head and we deserve more money.” →

Hannah Rankin: “In boxing, you are the business, and you need to be able to promote yourself.”

Hannah Rankin: "In boxing, you are the business, and you need to be able to promote yourself." By Jack Rainbow “If you're in Taekwondo, Thai boxing or kickboxing, men and women are treated the same. But when it comes to boxing there's still this premise that women shouldn't be in there” When speaking about how … Continue reading Hannah Rankin: “In boxing, you are the business, and you need to be able to promote yourself.” →

Mikaela Mayer: “I would definitely say this is the fight of the division.”

Mikaela Mayer: "I would definitely say this is the fight of the division." Mikaela Mayer is a hard woman to get hold of, her time is limited and valuable. Even on a Sunday, we had to delay our Zoom interview. Mayer is apologetic, an unplanned training session from her trusted coach Al Mitchell kept me … Continue reading Mikaela Mayer: “I would definitely say this is the fight of the division.” →

Nicola Hopewell: Looking To Shine In Her Hometown

Nicola Hopewell: Looking To Shine In Her Hometown By Hannah Lucas Come Halloween, Nicola Hopewell will return to the ring eyeing yet another win and aiming to put the fear into her opponent.  But, this fight will be a particularly special one.  For the first time, the 30-year-old Worksop prospect will box in her home … Continue reading Nicola Hopewell: Looking To Shine In Her Hometown →

Luke G Williams: “At one point there was quite a prominent lawyer and Ike wouldn’t accept his advice.”

Luke G Williams: “At one point there was quite a prominent lawyer and Ike wouldn’t accept his advice." By Chris Akers The Executioner, The Takeover, and The Problem are just some of the more distinctive sobriquets that have been assigned to boxers over the years. Yet none are as grandiose as the name fans used … Continue reading Luke G Williams: “At one point there was quite a prominent lawyer and Ike wouldn’t accept his advice.” →