Welcome to Catch & Counter Boxing, where the world of pugilism comes alive! In this newsletter and podcast, we'll dissect the artistry, strategies, and captivating stories woven into each punch thrown inside the squared circle. I’ll be giving you my insight and predictions on all the big fights and undercards globally. I’ll also be sitting down with true legends of the British Boxing ring to deliver you their stories both inside and outside the ropes. Get ready for an immersive journey into the heart of boxing.
Dive into the enthralling world of pugilism with "Catch and Counter Boxing," your ultimate source for the latest updates, insightful commentary, and compelling narratives within the realm of boxing. Join me, Dean Murphy, your ringside guide to the sweet science, a dedicated aficionado of boxing, passionate about unraveling the intricacies of the ring.
I’ve never really known a time in my life when I haven’t loved boxing. At 3 or 4 years old my Grandad used to make me watch videos of Muhammad Ali dancing rings around Cleveland Williams. He’d tell me tales of the elusive Willie Pep who ‘won a round without throwing a punch’ and he’d give me the lowdown on local heroes Terry ‘The Paddington Express’ Downes and, of course, the great ‘Enry Cooper.
These men became Superheroes to me and, with only grainy video footage and images in boxing manuals to go on, my imagination would run wild with fantasy match ups of these new found gladiators of the squared circle.
Then along came the Rocky movies and I was hooked! I memorised every punch, I could recite every Apollo Creed and Clubber Lang soundbite and I cheered (loudly) in front of a packed cinema when Rocky overcame the odds to defeat the man mountain that was Ivan Drago.
But, my love of boxing turned into complete obsession the day I walked through the red doors of All Stars Boxing Gym as a teenager. I’d always wanted to ‘do’ boxing but was always apprehensive, intimidated and if I’m telling the truth, scared about going in to a boxing gym! I needn’t have worried, from the moment I walked through the doors I was welcomed with open arms by the great Mr Isola Akay MBE. On my first day I was put through a torturous 2 hour boxing session and the next day I could barely move!
But, from the moment I woke up the next day I couldn’t wait to go back. From the smell of the gym to the sounds of skipping ropes ticking over and leather hitting leather on heavy bags, I was obsessed!
From that point on I continued to box at All Stars for the next 25 years and still train to this day! I’ve spent thousands upon thousands of hours perfecting my jab, left hook, skipping, punching the bags and sparring.
After training at All Stars so frequently I eventually started to volunteer my services as a graphic designer to the gym. I designed the clubs logo, clothing, fight posters, flyers, event tickets and website. From there my involvement in helping the club escalated in to organising amateur boxing shows, fund raising events, even organising doctors for the boxers! You name it, I was involved in it and it gave me a real insight in to how amateur boxing gyms are run! It opened my eyes to the huge impact they have, not only on young peoples lives but also entire communities as a whole.
Over the years my presence at boxing events and in gyms all over London has enabled me to make some great contacts in the boxing business and also meet and work with some of my all time heroes. Amongst many others I have met, spent time and worked with Nigel Benn, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera and Joe Calzaghe. I’ve also trained alongside world-title-challenging fighters like Ashley Theophane and Richie Commey and consider them good friends.
I don’t profess to know EVERYTHING there is to know about boxing, there are historians out there that know far more than me. But I do like to think that what I’ve learned inside the ring combined what what I learned, watched, studied and read outside it gives me a good base of knowledge to share my opinions, insights and predications with you.
So, that’s what I’ll be doing. The aim of ‘Catch & Counter’ is to deliver intelligent, insightful, high-quality boxing content for hardcore boxing fans. I’ll be looking back on some of the greatest fights and fighters in history! And I’ll be giving you my thoughts and predictions on all the latest news and upcoming fights in the world of boxing.
Stay tuned, enjoy the ride and let me know your feedback:
Cheers
Dean
Catch & Counter Boxing
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