The First Round with Darren Barker
The First Round with Darren Barker
Podcast Description
Step into the ring with former world champion Darren Barker as he sits down with boxing’s biggest names to uncover the stories behind their rise, their battles, and their glory. From career-defining moments to personal struggles, get raw, unfiltered insights into the lives of the sport’s elite. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just getting started, this is boxing at its realest—up close and personal.
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https://www.youtube.com/@firstroundtv
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on a wide range of boxing-related topics, including personal stories of triumph and struggle, career milestones, and behind-the-scenes insights. Episodes delve into moments such as Chris Billam-Smith's journey from hardship to becoming a champion, Tony Bellew's reflections on his career battles, and Conor Benn's controversial rise and redemption, emphasizing the emotional depth of athletes' lives beyond the ring.
Step into the ring with former world champion Darren Barker as he sits down with boxing’s biggest names to uncover the stories behind their rise, their battles, and their glory. From career-defining moments to personal struggles, get raw, unfiltered insights into the lives of the sport’s elite. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just getting started, this is boxing at its realest—up close and personal.
Follow us to make sure you never miss an Episode!
https://www.youtube.com/@firstroundtv
What would you do if your phone rang during dinner… and on the other end, someone asked if you were ready to fight Shakur Stevenson for the world title — in four days?
In this unbelievable episode, Josh Padley joins Darren Barker to tell the real-life Rocky story that shook the boxing world. One moment, he’s installing solar panels in Doncaster. The next, he’s flying business class to Saudi Arabia to face one of the best fighters on the planet with no camp, no preparation, and everything to lose.
From skipping dinner and jumping on the scales to being dropped by perfectly placed body shots on a sold-out Saudi card, Josh opens up about grit, fear, belief, and opportunity — and how saying “yes” at the right time changed his life forever.
💬 Josh also reveals:
- What it felt like to fight Shakur Stevenson with no sparring
- The call-up story that started mid-meal with “Watch your weight, lad.”
- How he made weight overnight — and what broke him in the ring
- Buying a kettle with Alexa as his first big-money purchase
- Life as a working-class fighter: work vans, robot hoovers & Wembley dreams
- His new life as a full-time pro with Matchroom
- His 5-year goal to win a world title — and who he wants next
This is one of the wildest and most inspiring stories we’ve ever heard on First Round. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that dreams still happen — even if you’re not in camp — this episode is for you.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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