From hospital radio decks and nightclub residencies to Radio 1, talkSPORT, and TNT Sport, Adam Catterall’s career has been anything but straightforward. Known today as one of the sharpest voices in combat sports, his journey is a masterclass in graft, risk-taking, and staying the course when the easy option is to quit.
In this episode, Adam sits down with Ben to unpack his path into broadcasting, the mindset that’s carried him through rejection and reinvention, and his candid take on the state of boxing and MMA today. Expect behind-the-scenes stories from the Olympics, the Tyson Fury trilogy, and why “finding the piece of gold” is the most important part of any interview.
🎧 Listen as we discuss…
(01:08) - Hospital radio, DJ booths, and finding a voice on the mic
(05:00) - Winning a Pop Idol-style radio talent competition
(07:46) - Working multiple jobs and grafting without pay
(09:39) - Obsession, visualisation, and self-talk as fuel
(12:01) - The “piece of gold” rule of interviewing(14:07) - Breaking into sport and landing Radio 1
(18:13) - Risk-taking: leaving a top job without a guarantee
(21:00) - Belief, rejection, and proving people wrong(25:05) - The 2012 Olympics as a turning point
(30:05) - From Absolute Radio to talkSPORT
(35:13) - Boxing vs MMA: UK vs US, time zones, and meritocracy
(41:15) - Tyson Fury, Wilder, and the meaning of resilience(45:11) - Usyk, Dubois, and the difference between athletes and fighters
(49:49) - UFC highlights: Zhang Weili, Ronda Rousey, Charles Oliveira
(54:49) - Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones, and the White House fight rumour
(57:10) - Misfits, Jake Paul, and the blurring of boxing’s lines
(01:06:04) - What “graft” means to Adam
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Risk is essential: sometimes you have to quit the comfortable job to force the next step.
Obsession builds mastery: visualisation and preparation create confidence under pressure.
Find the “piece of gold”: every interview needs that one unforgettable moment.
Boxing vs MMA: meritocracy and matchmaking shape fan loyalty.
Graft = staying the course: resilience is about how you react when the path is blocked.
GUESTAdam Catterall: Broadcaster, presenter, and commentator across TNT Sport, talkSPORT, and beyond.
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