On the new edition of "Talking Sports Books" The Last Bell: Donald McRae’s Powerful Journey Through Six Tumultuous Years in Boxing In The Last Bell, award-winning sportswriter Donald McRae delivers one of the most compelling boxing books of the decade—a deeply personal and brutally honest exploration of the sport’s highs, heartbreaks, and haunting contradictions from 2018 to 2024. Named Book of the Month by The Herald, and praised by BBC Radio 4’s Mike Williams as “one of the most engaging sports books I’ve read for a long time,” this riveting account goes far beyond the ropes. As McRae grapples with profound personal loss—the death of his sister and the decline of his parents—he returns to the ring, searching for meaning in the sport that shaped his life. Through unforgettable encounters with modern greats like Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor, and Canelo Álvarez, McRae captures both the thrill of world championship glory and the devastating costs of a career built on violence. From Fury’s miraculous comeback to the crowning of the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century, The Last Bell is an unflinching ringside seat to boxing’s most electrifying moments—and its darkest corners. McRae confronts corruption, doping, and sportswashing, peeling back the glamour to expose the often harsh reality behind the spectacle. At its core, The Last Bell is not just about boxing. It’s about life, grief, resilience, and redemption. McRae’s most personal book yet, it asks the hard questions: Why do we love a sport so brutal? And what happens when the final bell tolls? #boxing

from "Talking Sports Books" Broadcaster Elton Welsby looks back to the World Cup in Spain 82 his first World Cup when he was sent out to "go and find some famous people to interview" what the old boys didn't expect was for him to come back with an exclusive sit down with Hnery Kissinger who happened to be in town , this though was after he came across James Bond himself Roger Moore in the hotel lobby so he did what any journo would do just went up and asked him for an interview this was the reply.. Listen in full on any streaming device or at www.talkingsportsbooks.com

From "The Best Of Talking Sports Books" the first 50 editions the incredible tale of Steve Hunt born in Aston Birmingham who was told by then Aston Villa manager Ron Saunders "There's bloke in the canteen who wants to sign you and were letting you go" and that was it off he went to sign up for the New York Cosmos in the same team that had Pele, Beckenbauer and Chinaglia where he became part of the most glamorous team in world football. In this clip Steve recounts how the move happened , going to legendary "Studio 54 " and Pele. 'm with the Cosmos is Steve Hunt's story. After only seven first-team appearances for Aston Villa, he found himself playing with two of the greatest players of all time: Pele and Beckenbauer at New York Cosmos. He returned home to play for Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion and was capped twice by England. This is his story. Steve Hunt collaborated with Ian McCauley on his autobiography. Ian is a former teacher, now living on the Isle of Wight. This is his first book although he enjoys writing short stories for pleasure. Ian is a Birmingham City supporter and Steve - a lifelong Aston Villa fan - has long since forgiven him.

Sir Paul Smith talking to Tim Caple about his love of cycling and how growing up his dream was to be a rider. #PaulSmith

From the best of "Talking Sports Books" Podcast in this clip Steve Hunt after leaving Aston Villa lands in the US' and joins up with the New York Cosmos where he played alongside Pele, so how did a precocious 20 year old get on in the shadow of the greatest player to have ever played the game ? and what happened when he simply wouldn't listen to his advice and then there was the legend that was Giorgio Chinaglia who when he found out his flight ticked to the US to join up with NYC was an economy ticket simply threw it in the bin and chartered his own place and sent the bill to the Cosmos with the message "If Pele is getting a private jet then so am I " Steve talks about his relationship with Chinaglia and what happened on the day he decided to tell Giorgio exactly what he thought of him. Some great tales here and you can find the full edition of this show on the website www.talkingsportsbooks.com or stream from any streaming provider. #newyorkcosmos #pele #giorgiochinaglia #lazio #astonvvilla #stevehunt

From the new "Talking Sports Books" show with Elton Welsby , we look back on his 4 decade career in broadcasting and some of the most memorable moments and here he recounts the time he was confronted by Brian Clough who had heard he did a good impression of him so he asked him to do it and tell him the joke he had told as well and this was it !

More from the best moments from the first 50 editions of "Talking Sports Books" and in this extract we are talking to the former head of football on BBC Radio Mike Ingham who joined me to talk about his book looking back on his life in broadcasting "After Extra Time and Penalties" and here he remembers the early dealings with Brian Clough this whilst Mike was at BBC Radio Derby. https://amzn.to/3ClGpGM You can listen to the full feature we recorded for this episode over at the website www.talkingsportsbooks.com or you can stream the show from any of the streaming providers. #brianclough #derbycounty #bbc #bbcsports

"Talking Sports Books" Goes Video: Interview with Boxing Legend Steve Bunce Welcome back to Talking Sports Books – and for the very first time, we’re bringing you a video edition of the show! Of course, if you prefer the audio-only version, that’s still available as well. This episode is particularly special, as I’m joined by a true legend in the world of boxing journalism: Steve Bunce. With nearly four decades of covering boxing, Steve has earned his place as one of the most influential voices in the sport. Whether it’s through his insightful commentary, extensive articles, books,or work as a broadcaster, Steve’s presence is felt not only across the UK but around the world. BUY HERE https://amzn.to/4jlvdL3 Today, we’re talking about Steve’s latest book, Around the World in 80 Fights, which chronicles his incredible journey through the world of boxing. From legendary fighters and historic matches to the colorful personalities and unforgettable moments he’s encountered, Steve shares his personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights that showcase the depth of his experience in the sport. Inside Around the World in 80 Fights Steve’s book takes readers on a journey that spans decades of boxing history. The title, Around the World in 80 Fights, doesn’t just highlight Steve’s travel across the globe, but it also paints a vivid picture of the iconic figures he’s met along the way: from fighters like Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali to the managers, promoters, and characters that make boxing such a fascinating world to cover. What makes this book stand out is Steve’s ability to blend rich storytelling with his vast knowledge of the sport. He’s not just recounting fights; he’s sharing the human stories behind them, the moments that changed the course of boxing history, and his personal reflections on what it’s like to witness these events up close. A Legacy of Boxing Journalism Steve Bunce isn’t just a journalist – he’s a historian of the sport, a voice of authority that boxing fans have relied on for decades. From his early days writing for boxing magazines to becoming a familiar face and voice in broadcasting, Steve has covered some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. His long-running show, Boxing Hour, and his work on Boxing Tonight have made him a trusted figure in the sport. In our interview, we talk about the book, of course, but also dive into Steve’s career and what it’s been like to be on the frontlines of the sport for so long. He offers incredible insights into how boxing has evolved over the years, and the challenges and rewards of covering one of the most dynamic sports in the world. Sneak Peek of the Interview During our conversation, Steve shares some incredible stories from his travels and his encounters with legendary fighters. From the electric atmosphere of major fights to the quieter moments when he learned the most about the sport and its personalities, there’s no shortage of anecdotes that will give boxing fans a deeper appreciation of the world Steve has navigated for nearly 40 years. One of the most memorable parts of the interview is when Steve talks about the fighters who have left the biggest impression on him, and the little-known details that made certain matches stand out above the rest. You won’t want to miss this. Tune In Now The full interview with Steve is available now in both video and audio formats, so whether you’re at home or on the go, you can enjoy it however you prefer. Be sure to check out the show, and don’t forget to grab a copy of Around the World in 80 Fights for an even deeper dive into Steve’s incredible journey through boxing. #boxing #books #stevebunce #sugarrayleonard #muhammadali #worldchampions