The First Round with Darren Barker

• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• Malik Scott's New Star You NEED to Know About! - Ezra Taylor Podcast

  Undefeated British light-heavyweight Ezra Taylor is no longer a rising star — he’s a serious contender with elite ambitions. In this gripping conversation with former world champion Darren Barker, Ezra lays out his path to boxing’s summit.With 12 wins, 8 KOs, and a WBC International belt already under his name, Ezra doesn’t pull punches. He wants the best — Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, Callum Smith, and David Benavidez. And he’s not talking dream fights. He’s talking next fights.🎙️ In This Episode:Callouts with conviction – Why Ezra believes he’s a threat to Bivol & Beterbiev right now.From amateur frustration to pro focus – The missed weigh-in that changed his life and set him on a world-title path.Malik Scott & LA training – How training in America transformed his discipline, stamina, and style.No plan B – Faith, purpose, and sacrifice: the mindset that drives Ezra through every setback.The Tommy Fury challenge – Why Ezra demanded to face Tommy’s past opponent — and made a statement.September showdown? – The personal grudge with Louis Edmondson that could explode in Nottingham.🧠 Plus:His Mount Rushmore of boxing, thoughts on Beterbiev vs Bivol III, Dubois vs Usyk 2, and what it really takes to make it in modern boxing.Follow First Round TV for more raw, honest conversations with the sport’s future legends.

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• Viddal Riley: KSI, Mayweather & Millions! Why He Left It All To Pursue Boxing Dream.

  Viddal Riley: From YouTube Corner to British Champion | First Round TVMost people know Viddal Riley as KSI’s boxing coach. But what they’ve missed is the fighter behind the trainer — an 8-time national champion who walked away from fame to chase real legacy in the sport.In this episode, Viddal joins Darren Barker to talk about:Coaching KSI, Bezinga & the SidemenHis childhood in the gym under his father’s watchLosing twice and being told: “Quit, or go pro”Signing with Floyd Mayweather Promotions and fighting in VegasWhy he had zero nerves before the biggest fight of his lifeWhat the British title means — and who he wants nextThis isn’t a YouTuber story. This is a fighter’s journey — raw, grounded, and focused on greatness.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your boxing fix.🔗 Watch the full video on YouTube: @FirstRoundTV📲 Follow @firstroundtv | Hosted by Darren BarkerViddal Riley, KSI boxing, Floyd Mayweather, Jake Paul, Boxxer, Sky Sports Boxing, British Champion, Viddal Riley vs Aloys Jr, The Sidemen, Behzinga, Lawrence Okolie, Anthony Joshua, YouTube boxing, Viddal Riley interview, Darren Barker, First Round TV, Real boxer vs YouTuber, Cruiserweight, Mayweather Promotions

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