Sport + Life

What boxers bouncing back from losses and failures can teach us in life. Few thoughts here re James Degale and Scott Quigg

Not a Liverpool football club fan. But Klopp brings joy and apparent gratitude to his job as Liverpool manager. Despite operating in a world beset by talk of ‘Football’. Pretty inspirational.

Saddened by stories of pitch invasions at West Ham United. Keen to get an understand of this specific situation and also the pros and cons of being fans in our lives. How much emotional investment should we make? And do we not think players, coaches and owners share the goal of winning? How important is patience for long term success? Thoughts here on the audio blog. #westham #pitchinvasion #fananger

Deontay Wilder put me in mind of the Fosbury Flop with his performance Saturday night. He shifts the Boxing paradigm with his unorthodoxy leaving it hard for analysts to assess his potency or make any kind of prediction on Joshua-Wilder. Love it!

Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey from tricky, pacy, sometimes fanciful winger to a prolific forward who scores with both feet and is as good in the air as a traditional ‘target man ‘ striker is an inspiration. Take a look at some of the developments in his career that’s still going strong at 33 - and why I feel we can all learn from it.

Was asked recently to give thoughts on whether skill level is enough to ‘achieve’ in Boxing? Thoughts here...

A cosmopolitan Frenchman and the storied romance with an old English lady - destined to end in divorce? An imperfect metaphor perhaps, but let me know your thoughts!

Some of my favourite images from Sport are two boxers embracing, unified in mutual respect and understanding of each other. Or footballers shaking hands after a gruelling encounter and praising their opponents. This unifying vision can maybe aid western society right now where online acrimony would have you believe we’re different. My thought, debate Brexit etc but avoid the sense that we’re all separate and diametrically opposed. Hi

A few years ago when I hosted the no 1 boxing podcast in the world, analysts would tell me Luis Ortiz was the best heavyweight in the world. Now few give up a chance in the world title fight v Deontay Wilder Saturday night. Why? His motivation has gone as he has money? Father Time? Familiarity exploded the myth? Thoughts here - please listen and message me on Twitter @eddraper81 or instagram ed_draper81.

Is it about entertaining or winning? Or both? Look at the history and consider what Sport means to fans.

About winning or entertaining? Both? Heated debate this week after #ManchesterUnited’s scoreless and attritional draw in Seville. My thoughts on footballs history as escapist entertainment, but also people’s emotional investment in the result.

Thoughts on how and why boxers and comedians have always inspired me. Primarily because of their raw ability to face down fear to enter the arena. Inspirational to all of us in life.

In the FA Cup, players from the third tier of English football collaborate to beat multimillionaire super stars from the premier league. How? Powerful lessons in synchronicity, teamwork and belief. The fluidity of English football where Premier League teams can tumble down the divisions also contains powerful life lessons.

George Groves beat Chris Eubank JR in the big boxing match Saturday night in Manchester, England with a skilful,well-planned is a performance. Here are some thoughts on life lessons that lie within it - in my opinion.

Do we double down on strengths or work on improving our weaknesses? Considering this theme in connection with huge boxing match In Manchester on Saturday night - Groves V Eubank JR. a fast starter v a fast finisher. Do they tweak plan to accommodate weaknesses or focus on their strengths. What’s best in Sport & life?

New Zealand heavyweight boxer, Joseph Parker imparted some great wisdom this week as he prepares to fight Anthony Joshua in a world title unification fight. What he said and my take on it here...

As a national broadcaster yesterday was a tough day - having to break live news re the jury returning verdicts of guilty for paedophilic coach Barry Bennell. Tough to retain composure on air, tough as a parent to be swamped with fear about the world. But as a former youth Football also saddening as a fear that that vital endeavour is tarnished. As a kid, I learned a fantastic array of physical, mental, emotional and social skills from being coached and more still from being a coach. Here I reflect on how vital it isn’t that good men and women aren’t deterred from youth coaching. Thanks - Ed

England beat Wales at the weekend in rugby 12-6. But rather than focus on the positive aspects of his side’s performance the England coach was most verbose when railing against opinions expressed in the media about one of his players. I ask can we be fulfilled in life and Sport if our emotions rise and fall according to the vagaries of others’ opinions and comments?

Harry Kane is a footballer for Tottenham Hotspur who has scored 23 PL goals this season. I’ve presented coverage of his exploits for the last 3/4 years on Sky Sports News. His rise to prominence has been rapid but the objective improvement in his skill set is something I believe we can all use as inspiration in everyday life - every moment.

Reflection on the gift of life following the passing of footballer Liam Miller