My guest on this podcast is Patrick English, long-time counsel to Main Events.  We talk about some of the historic litigation and events he's taken part in as counsel.  We also talk about the Ali Act, the IBF scandal, the PBC, as well as the likelihood of a boxing league.

The Boxing Esq. Podcast

The Boxing Esq. Podcast Episode #2 - Patrick English

Boxing Esq. Podcast #2 - Patrick English

My guest on this podcast is John Hornewer, one of the premier attorneys and boxer representatives in the sport.  We talk about some of the great fighters he's represented including Lennox Lewis, Chris Byrd, Roy Jones, Jr., Floyd Mayweather and Vasyl Lomachenko.  Really fun and informative conversation.

Boxing Esq. Podcast

Boxing Esq. Podcast #3 - John Hornewer

My guest on this podcast is Evan Rutkowsky, former manager of marketing strategy at HBO.  Evan is also the author of a great new podcast titled Fistianados, where he gives his take on what television network executives are looking at when they survey the current fight scene.  We spoke in depth about Top Rank's deal on ESPN as well as the PBC's situation and why no network has picked up the WBSS.  It was a fun discussion - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #6 - Evan Rutkowski

My guest on this podcast is John Nash, writer for Bloody Elbow.  John writes primarily about MMA and also does an excellent podcast with Paul Gift and Jason Cruz called Show Money which covers the business side of MMA.  We spoke about the fighters antitrust lawsuit against the UFC, the bill in Congress to extend the Ali Act to MMA, the movement to organize MMA fighters into a union or association and what the sport of boxing can learn from what's going on in MMA.  It was an excellent discussion - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #8 - John Nash

My guest on this podcast is Rick Collins, a founding partner at the law firm of Collins, Gann McCloskey & Barry.  Rick practices in the area of sports nutrition and PEDs and is one of the foremost attorneys in the area of anti-doping law.   We spoke about the recent doping cases involving Canelo Alvarez and Alexander Povetkin, as well as what an ideal anti-doping program in boxing would look like.  It was a great conversation - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #9 - Rick Collins

My guest on this podcast is Tim Smith, VP of Communications at Haymon Sports and the PBC.  We spoke about the PBC's recent multi-year television deals with Showtime and Fox.  We also got into what's next for Deontay Wilder, Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, the Charlo Twins, Mikey Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz and others.  It was fun discussion - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #12 - Tim Smith

My guest on this podcast is Philadelphia Boxing Trainer and Writer - Stephen "Breadman" Edwards.  I talked to him about his origins in the sport; the Philadelphia boxing scene; and what's next for his star fighter Julian "J-Rock" Williams.  We also discussed his outspoken views on the prevalence of PEDs in the sport.  It was a great conversation - hope you enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #15 - Stephen "Breadman" Edwards

My guest on this podcast is Scott Shaffer, litigation attorney and Partner at Olshan, Frome and Wolosky, as well as a longtime senior boxing writer at Boxingtalk.com.  Scott has represented some of the top promoters in the sport including Sauerland Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and Gary Shaw, as well as world champions such as Ricky Hatton.  We look at what happened in the year of boxing for 2018. We also look ahead at what's to come in 2019.  It was a great discussion - enjoy!.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #16 - Scott Shaffer

Bonus Podcast from my interview with Scott Shaffer, litigation attorney and longtime senior boxing writer at Boxingtalk.com.  Scott and I went long in our conversation last week so I had to edit out our discussion about the broadcast networks.  Here is the 10 minutes or so of that discussion.  Enjoy the bonus 10 minutes and Happy Holidays!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #16a (Bonus Christmas Addition)  - Scott Shaffer

My guest on this podcast is top boxing judge - Steve Weisfeld.  We talked about how he became a judge, some of the significant fights he's worked, the criteria he uses to score a fight and some tips for the viewers scoring at home.  We also spoke about the criticisms levied at judges and some possible reforms for more transparency of the judges cards.  It was a great conversation - hope you enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #17 - Steve Weisfeld

My guest on this podcast is Matchroom USA matchmaker Eric Bottjer.  We talked about his journey in the sport and all of the promoters he's worked for including Dan Goossen, Cedric Kushner, Don King, Art Pellulo, Lou DiBella and Eddie Hearn.  We also talked about the art of matchmaking and his theory on how to develop fighters.  We also got into why there should be a boxing league and the PBC's missed opportunity with all that hedge fund money.  It was a great conversation - hope you enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #18 - Eric Bottjer

My guest on this podcast is New York-based boxing manager Ketih Connolly.  We talked about how Keith got into the management business and his tremendous roster of fighters including: Daniel Jacobs, Luis Collazo, Marcus Browne, Sergey Derevyanchenko, Adam Kownacki, Chris Algieri, Nikita Abibiy, Reshet Mait and Nkosi Solomon.  It was an interesting conversation with some great insight on how "working across the aisle" can happen in the sport.  Enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #22 - Keith Connolly

My guest on this podcast is Hall of Fame boxing writer and television commentator, Steve Farhood.  We spoke about Steve's experience growing up in NYC in the 1970's and his first job out of college with London Publishing where he founded the legendary KO Magazine.  We also spoke about his time as Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine and his nearly 20 years as an expert analyst on ShoBox.  Steve also gave his insights on the state of game, where women's boxing is going and who he thinks will win the major fights in the next few months.  It was a really fun conversation.  Enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #23 - Steve Farhood

My guest on this podcast is Connecticut Boxing Hall of Famer, six-time sports Emmy award-winner and new President of MTK Global Management, Bob Yalen.  We spoke about the future of MTK's top fighters Tyson Fury, Carl Frampton and Billy Joe Saunders.  We also spoke about MTK's broadcast deals with ESPN and IFL TV.   We then got into Bob's rich experience in the sport as a researcher for Flash Gordon, The Ring Record Book and Fight Fax.  We also talked about his time as head of boxing programming at ABC and ESPN networks and as the Chairman of the WBC Ratings Committee.  We closed with a discussion of the state of televised boxing today.  It was a really informative conversation.  Enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #24 - Bob Yalen

My guest on this podcast is Todd duBoef, the President of one of the leading promoters in boxing Top Rank, Inc.  We spoke about his company's television deal with ESPN and how it came about.  We also talked about his vision for the future and what shoulder programming will go on the network.  We also spoke about his star heavyweight Tyson Fury and how he fits into the heavyweight picture as well as the great fights coming up on the schedule and collision course that Vasyl Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez are on.  It was a great conversation - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #27 - Todd duBoef

My guest on this podcast is Doug Fischer, Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine.  We spoke about Doug's upbringing in the midwest and his journey as a boxing writer.  We discussed the origins of internet boxing coverage and Doug's time as one of the principals of both House of Boxing and MaxBoxing, as well as his move to the The Ring.  We also did a division by division review of the sport from Heavyweight to Bantamweight as well as our candidates for Fight of the Year so far in 2019.  It was a great discussion - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #28 - Doug Fischer

My guest on this podcast is boxing historian Herbert Goldman.  We discussed Herbert's time as a managing editor at The Ring and his role in putting together the last three Ring Record Books.  We also discussed Herbert's four-volume magnum opus boxing record book for the sport "Boxing - A Worldwide Record of Bouts and Boxers", with a particular focus on the Timeline of Boxing History.

Additionally, we went through an abbreviated history of the sanctioning bodies in the interest of tracking how we got to the present of a proliferation of organizations and how close we came at various points to having one overarching regulatory organization.

It was a great conversation. Enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #29 - Herbert Goldman

My guest on this podcast is Brin-Jonathan Butler, critically acclaimed author, as well as one of the preeminent boxing journalists.  We review the good (Pacquiao-Thurman, Ramirez-Hooker), the bad (the administrative mess of Whyte-Rivas) and the ugly/tragic (RIP Maxim Dadashev and Hugo Santillan).  A really interesting conversation, hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #30 - Brin-Jonathan Butler

My guest on this podcast is David Duenez, owner of the Leave It In The Ring podcast network.  We talk about the weekend of fights including Kovalev-Yarde and Figueroa-Cintron.  We also talk about the Ruiz-Joshua 2 negotiations and Dana White's entry into boxing promotion.  Additionally, we spoke about David's background and interest in boxing and the origins of the Leave It In The Ring network.  A really fun and interesting conversation, hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #31 - David Duenez

My guest on this podcast is the former Executive Director of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), David Berlin.  We spoke about David's background and interest in the sport, including a brief amateur boxing career.  We also talked about his relationship with Teddy Atlas, his representation of Salita Promotions and his new management company Four Corners Advisory Group.  Additionally, we discussed David's time at the NYSAC and his implementation of policies regarding drug testing, health care for boxers, bout insurance, selection of officials and instant replay.   It was a fun discussion - enjoy!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #34 - David Berlin

My guest on this episode is author and editor at Hannibal Boxing.com - Mr. Carlos Acevedo.  We discuss Carlos’s excellent new book - Sporting Blood - Tales From The Darkside of Boxing  - which goes on sale March 31st.  We get into a few of the subjects of the book including Sonny Liston, Tony Ayala, and Smokin’ Bert Cooper.  We also talk about Carlos’s youth in the Bronx and how he came to be interested in the Sweet Science.  And finally, we get into the good and the bad in today’s boxing scene and how things evolved over time from boxing’s resurgence in the 1970s.  I really enjoyed the conversation and finally getting Carlos on the podcast.  Hope you enjoy it too.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #46 - Carlos Acevedo

For this special episode, I’m joined by Fistianados host Evan Rutkowski to go over the recent Coronavirus stimulus legislation set up to provide relief to those forced out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

We are joined by two distinguished guests. Labor Attorney Walter Kane and accountant and financial planner Mike Alvini.  Walter and Mike broke down how and when to apply for unemployment benefits, the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (aka 7a loan), the COVID Disaster Relief Loan (aka the 7B loan), as well as the qualifications for the $1200 stimulus, check advances on tax returns that the government is sending out.

The main takeaway is apply, apply, apply.  Definitely give this pod a good listen and contact your accountant or financial advisor to help you.  If you don’t have one - Walter and Mike leave their contact information at the end of the podcast. Really great informative conversation - hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #47 - Special Edition with Fistianados - Guests Walter Kane and Michael Alvini

My guest on this episode is one of the foremost attorneys and managers in the game - Mike Borao. We spoke about two heavyweights Mike is involved with who scored big wins in the last few months Charles Martin and Robert Helenius. We also talked about future plans for other fighters who Mike represents including middleweight Matt Korobov and heavyweight Frank Sanchez.  We also spoke about Mike’s background and participation in toughman contests. How he met and came to represent his first major fighter Heavyweight Jameel McCline. We got into his major role in getting McCline, Shannon Briggs, Monte Barrett, and Ray Austin shots at the Heavyweight crown in the same year. He also told some great stories about dealing with major promoters Cedric Kushner and Don King.  And finally, we went into what a typical day in the life of a boxing manager is like.  Really great conversation - I hope you enjoy it!

Boxing Esq. Podcast #49 - Mike Borao

My guests on this episode are two distinguished Irish sports writers - Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer at the Irish Daily Star in Dublin and Ewan MacKenna, Host of The Black Eye Podcast and Columnist for the Irish Independent News. We discussed the recent comments by Promoter Bob Arum about using alleged drug cartel boss Daniel Kinahan as his agent in United Arab Emirates to negotiate a potential deal for the Heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Additionally, we spoke about the origins of MTK Global and the chilling effect the shooting at a weigh-in at The Regency Hotel in Dublin has had on boxing in The Republic of Ireland.  Great conversation - I hope you enjoy.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #51 - Kieran Cunningham and Ewan MacKenna

My guest on this episode is a 2020 IBHOF inductee, top promoter, film producer, and minor league franchise owner - Mr. Lou DiBella.

Lou shared his feelings on not being able to enjoy his induction into the IBHOF this year due to the COVID shutdown.  We spoke about how major league baseball is making a mistake in retracting a big part of its minor league system.  

We talked about how Top Rank is managing at implementing their COVID protocols and still putting on shows - and how Lou’s fighter Mikkel LesPierre’s COVID situation went down. We also got into how the financial burden of testing is particularly rough on smaller promoters and club shows.

We discussed what’s next for other members of the DiBella Entertainment roster including Regis Prograis, Amanda Serrano, Ivan Baranchyk, Jerry Forrest, Tevin Farmer, Charles Conwell, and Bakhodir Jalalov.

We also find out if Lou is making plans to go to Bahrain for the big boxing summit later this year.

It was a lively and informative conversation.  Hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #52 - Lou DiBella

My guest on this episode is the Editor-in-Chief of Ring Magazine - Mr. Doug Fischer.

We spoke about how The Ring Magazine and ringtv.com are faring during this pandemic.  We also undertook the difficult task of making mid-year assessments of the traditional year-end categories such as Fight of the Year, Round of the Year, KO of the Year, Upset of the Year, and Fighter of the Year in the time of COVID.

We also discussed the upcoming boxing schedule and previewed some of the bigger tentatively scheduled big fights such as Lonachenko-Lopez and Dubois-Joyce.

It was a great conversation.  Hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #53 - Doug Fischer

My guest on this episode is promoter and New York State Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Joe DeGuardia.

We spoke about Joe’s upbringing in the Bronx where his father and uncle were professional fighters.  We talked about Joe’s amateur boxing career which culminated in him winning the 1988 New York Golden Gloves.  We got into how he started in the pro game as a manager and then switched to promoting to keep his fighters busy and how that lead him to co-promoting such big events as Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver and Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri.

We also discussed his current roster of fighters including Joe Smith and Carlos Takam, the difficulties of putting on club shows in the time of COVID and Joe’s attempt at organizing the sport with the Boxing Promoters Association.

It was a great conversation.  Hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #54 - Joe DeGuardia

My guest on this episode the VP of Communications at Haymon Sports - Mr. Tim Smith.

We spoke about the PBC’s game plan in not rushing to be first to come back to the airways Post-COVID.  And how their schedule of fights came together over the months that they were off-air.

We got into the difficulties of putting on shows with the various medical and logistical problems associated with COVID and how PBC prepared for the inevitability of a fighter testing positive - as it happened on their very first show with Stephon Fulton.

We then spoke about the excellent schedule of fights that PBC rolled out on Showtime including the Charlos shared PPV, Tank vs Santa Cruz, and Ouballi-Donaire. We also got into what to expect for the upcoming schedule for PBC on FOX.

It was a really fun conversation.  Hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #55 - Tim Smith

My first guest on this is episode one of the heroes of our sport - Dr. Margaret Goodman.  

We talked about her views on COVID protocols and which states are doing it right.  We discussed how VADA’s testing protocols have been affected by COVID and how they have used the downtime in the sport to make informational videos available on the VADA website.  We also got into the debate about the proper use of MRIs.

My second guest on this podcast was boxing writer and attorney extraordinaire Scott Shaffer.  We analyzed last weekend’s busy schedule of fights including Whyte-Povetkin. Taylor-Persoon, Smith-Alvarez, and Porter-Formella.  And how it finally seemed like boxing was back after the long hiatus due to the pandemic.

Two really fun conversations - hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #56 - Dr. Margaret Goodman and Scott Shaffer

My guests on this episode are the undisputed Women’s World Welterweight Champion and unified WBC/WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Jessica McCaskill and her manager and trainer Rick Ramos.

We talked about their backgrounds growing up in Illinois and how both of them came to the sport of boxing.  I spoke to Jessica about her time at Pagedale Boxing in St. Louis with my late friend and mentor Marvin “Coots” Millett.  I talked with Rick about his opening of the Body Shot Boxing Club and how he competes with the fitness gyms and stays afloat during the pandemic.

We got into how Jessica’s big fights with Katie Taylor and Cecilia Braekhus got made and how Rick thought he might have burned a bridge with Eddie Hearn.  We spoke about how difficult it is to fight in your hometown and the challenges of maintaining focus while being pulled in a million directions marketing the fight.

And we also discussed what’s next for Jessica and how big fight rematches  with Katie Taylor and Cecilia Braekhus are possible and how a superfight with Claressa Shields is also in play.

It was a great conversation - Hope you enjoy.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #57 - Jessica McCaskill and Rick Ramos

My guest on this episode is author and boxing historian Mike Silver. We talk about Mike’s new book, "The Night The Referee Hit Back - Memorable Moments from the World of Boxing".  It’s a compilation of articles and interviews that Mike’s done over the years that is really captivating and provocative.

We discuss Mike’s background and how he had the chance to train alongside Emile Griffith and Ingemar Johansson at the iconic Stillman’s Gym in mid-town Manhattan in the late-50’s early 60’s.  Mike gives a great account of the history of that gym and its significance.

We also spoke about the history of the governance of the sport.  How there was generally only one world champion per division for decades. And how tournaments of contenders fighting to determine a new champion in divisions where the title was vacant were a common occurrence throughout the 1920s through the late 1960s.

Finally, Mike gives boxing fans a great list of fights from boxing’s Golden Age that demonstrate the skills and technique that may be missing from today's fighters.

It was a great conversation - Hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #58 - Mike Silver

My guest on this episode is former two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World - Chris Byrd.

We talk about Chris’s miraculous recovery from years of debilitating pain from nerve damage in his foot, hip replacement surgery, and numerous shoulder problems. 

We discussed Chris's new diet and alternative therapies that aided his recovery.

We also spoke about Chris’s great career from his days in the amateurs and sparring in an 8 by 10 ring in his parents' basement; his trip to the Olympic trials in 1988; his Olympic Silver Medal in 1992; not getting signed by a major promoter coming off of that medal and his roundabout journey as an avoided fighter to a shot at the Heavyweight title and eventually becoming a two-time champ.  

We also go into his battles in the ring with Ike Ibeabuchi, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Maurice Harris, David Tua, Evander Holyfield, Jameel McCline and many more and how he found out that many of his contemporaries were using PEDs.

It was a great conversation - hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #59 - Chris Byrd

My guest on this podcast is boxing writer and attorney Scott Shaffer.  We analyzed last weekend’s busy schedule of fights including Usyk-Chisora, Inoue-Moloney and Davis-Santa Cruz.  We also discussed recent comments by Deontay Wilder breaking his silence after Fury-Wilder III fell through, the proposed "Junior Heavyweight" division the WBC is implementing and the continuing saga of the Canelo lawsuit.  

This will be my last show as host of the Boxing Esq. Podcast but I am passing it on to Scott to host.

It was a really fun conversation - hope you enjoy it.

Boxing Esq. Podcast #60 - Scott Shaffer

The Boxing Esq. Podcast is hosted by Kurt Emhoff, a sports and entertainment attorney and boxing manager based in NYC. Kurt has represented clients in boxing for over 25 years. Kurt's current and former clients include world champions, contenders, and top promoters: Cory Spinks, Paulie Malignaggi, Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, Luis Collazo, Sam Soliman, Kermit Cintron, Derrick Gainer, Travis Simms, Terronn Millett, Edgar Berlanga, Peter Manfredo, Dmitriy Salita, DiBella Entertainment, and Ring City USA.

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