The First Round with Darren Barker

• Carl Frampton Reveals the Real Cost of Boxing Glory, The Pain Behind the Belts, Legacy & Retirement

  Two-weight world champion Carl Frampton joins Darren Barker on First Round TV for one of his most revealing interviews to date.From growing up in Belfast during The Troubles to winning world titles in front of his home crowd, Frampton shares the untold stories behind the belts — the pain, the politics, and the sacrifices that fans never saw.He opens up about:Turning pro out of desperation when he was brokeThe brutal nights with Kiko Martinez that left him with busted eardrums and pissing bloodThe bitter rivalry with Scott Quigg and breaking his jaw mid-fightBecoming a two-weight world champion against Leo Santa Cruz — and losing the rematchThe explosive split with the McGuigans and how it almost broke himWhy the Josh Warrington fight left him doubting everythingHis final night in the ring against Jamel Herring — and knowing it was overHonest, emotional, and at times heartbreaking — Carl Frampton reveals the real cost of boxing glory.Follow First Round TV on Instagram @firstroundtv for clips and updates.

  --------  

  1:08:37

  --------

  1:08:37
• "KO’ing Roy Jones Jr, Hopkins Controversy & Starring in Rocky Balboa - Antonio Tarver Reveals All!

  Five-time world champion Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver reveals the untold truth behind knocking out Roy Jones Jr, the controversial Bernard Hopkins fight, and his Hollywood role in Rocky Balboa with Sylvester Stallone.From street fights in Orlando to Olympic glory, from shocking the boxing world to starring on the big screen — this is Antonio Tarver’s full, unfiltered story.In this in-depth boxing interview, Tarver pulls no punches as he breaks down the night he shocked the boxing world by knocking out Roy Jones Jr, the infamous “Any excuses tonight, Roy?” moment, and why he believes he was robbed in their first fight. He opens up about his rise from the streets of Orlando, Florida, his historic amateur achievements (the only man to win the National, World, and Pan Am Championships in the same year), and the grit it took to prove himself in a sport where he was always the underdog.Tarver also lifts the lid on the Hopkins ‘Jedi mind trick’ fight, the politics of professional boxing, and how he battled through setbacks to become a five-time world champion across light heavyweight, cruiserweight, and heavyweight divisions. Plus, hear the behind-the-scenes story of how he landed the role of Mason “The Line” Dixon in Rocky Balboa, training for Hollywood and stepping onto the big screen with one of cinema’s greatest icons, Sylvester Stallone.Whether you’re a fan of boxing history, curious about the golden era of light heavyweight legends, or love hearing the untold stories behind the sport’s biggest fights, this episode is packed with insight, controversy, and unforgettable moments from one of boxing’s most charismatic champions.

  --------  

  55:49

  --------

  55:49
• The Greatest British Boxer Ever? Why He Never Returned! The Full Unfiltered Story of Joe Calzaghe

  Joe Calzaghe sits down for a deeply personal, no-holds-barred conversation with former world champion and close friend Darren Barker — and it might be the most emotional and revealing interview of his legendary career.From going 46-0 and becoming a two-weight world champion, to walking away from £10 million comeback offers, and now embracing life beyond boxing — Joe opens up about retirement, regret, fatherhood, legacy, and sobriety in this raw and unfiltered episode of First Round TV.This is a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest British fighters of all time.🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The full story behind Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy – and why Joe almost didn’t fightWhy Joe says he “never truly enjoyed boxing” despite going undefeatedThe life-changing influence of his father and trainer Enzo CalzagheBehind-the-scenes insight into the Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. fightsWhy Joe turned down all comeback offers – even with millions on the tableHis battle with sobriety, identity loss after boxing, and finding peaceThoughts on the next generation, fatherhood, and what legacy really means💼 Sponsor: Get 4 extra months of NordVPN on a 2-year plan: https://nordvpn.com/firstround🔥 Who Is Joe Calzaghe?Joe Calzaghe is widely regarded as one of the greatest British boxers of all time. A former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal super-middleweight and light-heavyweight world champion, he retired in 2009 with a perfect 46-0 record, becoming one of the very few boxers to hang up the gloves undefeated.Born in London and raised in Wales, Joe was trained by his father Enzo Calzaghe, a man with no formal boxing background who helped build one of the most incredible legacies in British sporting history.His resume includes dominant wins over:Chris EubankJeff Lacy (in a performance often considered the greatest by a British fighter)Mikkel KesslerBernard HopkinsRoy Jones Jr.

  --------  

  1:32:34

  --------

  1:32:34
• The Most Misunderstood Heavy weight, From Homeless to Champion of the world! Shannon Briggs

  This one wasn’t planned. In the middle of NYC traffic, a chance Uber ride turned into a once-in-a-lifetime conversation with **Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs** – and it's one of the most emotional episodes we’ve ever recorded.The former World Heavyweight Champion opens up like never before about:- Growing up homeless in Brownsville, Brooklyn- His first fight at 16, sparked by fear of crossing a bridge- George Foreman’s power & Lennox Lewis’ greatness- Regret, redemption, and the hunt for a perfect trainer- Life after boxing: cannabis, acting, family, legacy- Mental health, motivation, addiction, and survival- His Mount Rushmore of Boxing (surprising picks!)If you're a boxing fan, a fighter, or just someone chasing a dream — this episode is for you. LET'S GO CHAMP.

  --------  

  1:23:40

  --------

  1:23:40
• Liam Smith Reveals Untold Stories & Draws Back The Curtain On The Boxing Industry. Canelo, Eubank Jr

  Liam Smith joins Darren Barker on First Round TV to deliver one of the most honest and powerful interviews in British boxing. From the rough streets of Liverpool to world title glory, Liam tells the full story — no filters, no fluff.In this deeply personal conversation, Liam opens up about:🧒 Growing up in a boxing-mad household with the legendary Smith brothers🥊 Sparring in the living room as kids — with ornaments flying!🏆 Becoming Liverpool’s first world champion in 22 years💔 The pain of politics in amateur boxing — and why he turned pro early💥 Fighting Canelo Alvarez in Texas and why he was convinced he’d win🧠 The mental toll of boxing and watching his brothers fight💸 Being short-changed for the Canelo fight — and his biggest regrets🛑 The truth about the Chris Eubank Jr. rematch🇬🇧 Why the British Title still eats away at him — and the belt they never got to keep⚽️ And how football nearly stole him away from boxing…This is Liam Smith like you’ve never seen him before — reflective, open, and fiercely proud of his journey.👊 Whether you're a hardcore fight fan or just love real human stories, this one hits hard.

  --------  

  1:46:14

  --------

  1:46:14

More News podcasts

Trending News podcasts

About The First Round with Darren Barker