Weighing In with Travis Hartman

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Coach JT returns to the podcast to talk boxing, business, building Technique Boxing, training the next generation of fighters — and what it’s really like coaching one of the most relentless fighters in combat sports: Mike Perry. JT opens up about going from 30+ jobs to finding his purpose in boxing, building multiple successful gyms, developing amateur and professional fighters, and why he believes boxing can teach lessons that go far beyond fighting. Then we get into Mike Perry. Coach JT breaks down what makes Mike different, shares wild behind-the-scenes Mike Perry stories, explains how they’re preparing for Dillon Danis, and gives his official prediction for their August 29 fight in Orlando. We also talk UFC striking, the mentality that separates great fighters, Jordan vs. LeBron, the future of Technique Boxing, and the legacy JT wants to leave in his community. Subscribe for more conversations with fighters, trainers, and some of the biggest names in combat sports. 00:00 Coach JT Returns 01:27 Running Multiple Boxing Gyms 05:07 Why JT Still Coaches Fighters Himself 08:47 Who Was JT Before Technique Boxing? 11:17 How JT Became a Boxing Coach 12:09 The Beginning of Technique Boxing 20:17 What People Don't Understand About Owning a Gym 28:10 Can You Actually Make Money Owning a Boxing Gym? 32:13 The Future of Technique Boxing 33:40 Jordan vs. Kobe vs. LeBron 42:56 How JT Started Training UFC Fighters 48:10 Mike Perry 49:16 What Makes Mike Perry Different 50:20 Mike Perry Demanded Another Round 51:04 "You Have to Kill Him to Get Him Out" 54:15 Mike Perry vs. Dillon Danis 56:09 JT's Concern About Dillon Danis 58:09 Wild Mike Perry Parking Lot Story 59:25 Another Crazy Mike Perry Story 62:10 Travis Sparred Mike Perry in Flip-Flops 64:03 How They're Training for Dillon Danis 66:00 Coach JT Predicts Perry vs. Danis 68:39 "Dillon Danis Better Show Up" 72:53 Rapid Fire With Coach JT 74:15 Hardest Puncher JT Has Ever Trained 74:23 Craziest Fighter He's Ever Trained 74:35 Describe Mike Perry in 3 Words 76:24 The Legacy Coach JT Wants to Leave 80:17 An Emotional Question About JT's Father 84:25 Finding Your Purpose 87:06 Final Thoughts

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Coach Joey from El Rancho Boxing joins Weighing In with Travis Hartman* to talk about one of the most exciting young fighters in his gym — Brandon “Bam Bam” Ortiz — and what makes him different. At just 19 years old, Bam is preparing to turn professional on August 28th, but Coach Joey says the thing that separates him isn't simply talent — "it's his work ethic, toughness, discipline, and willingness to be pushed." Coach Joey breaks down the moment he realized Bam had something special, including pushing him through 8- and 10-round sessions, watching him handle adversity, and seeing the switch flip when he began working with professional fighters. The conversation goes much deeper than boxing, touching on: 🥊 Why you can't teach a fighter's heart and work ethic 🥊 The difference between a trainer, a coach, and a teacher 🥊 Building confidence in young athletes 🥊 Why great coaches develop people, not just fighters 🥊 “Hard work beats talent when talent won't work” 🥊 The importance of teaching young athletes how to problem-solve 🥊 How AI and ChatGPT are changing the way young people learn 🥊 Why Coach Joey would choose a fighter with an elite work ethic over raw talent 🥊 Bam's transition from amateur boxing to the professional ranks 🥊 What success really looks like on August 28 🥊 Why Coach Joey wants Bam to enjoy the moment and embrace his professional debut And perhaps the biggest message of the episode: "you can teach technique, but you can't teach someone to want it." Bam's professional debut is August 28th. The work has already been done. Now it's time to see what happens when the lights come on. 00:00 – Intro 00:28 – Coach Joey on Brandon “Bam Bam” Ortiz 01:00 – The work ethic that makes Bam different 01:27 – “You can’t teach that”: Testing a young fighter’s heart 03:04 – Pushing Bam through 10 rounds 04:05 – What coaches look for in a fighter 04:33 – The truth behind Bam’s Instagram persona 05:48 – Why Bam lives and breathes boxing 06:06 – Seeing the difference when Bam works with professionals 07:13 – Building a blueprint for Bam’s career 07:36 – The confidence Bam was missing 07:51 – The power of having someone believe in you 08:23 – Three types of coaches: Cheerleaders, coaches & teachers 09:00 – Teaching young fighters to become quality people 10:07 – Knowing when it's time for the next chapter 10:48 – Why Bam is getting the best version of Coach Joey 11:15 – “Hard work beats talent when talent won’t work” 12:00 – Leadership and setting an example for young athletes 13:00 – Why boxing needs more teachers, not just trainers 13:38 – Teaching fighters to think for themselves 14:30 – ChatGPT, young athletes & the loss of problem-solving 15:13 – Why hard work matters in life, not just boxing 15:30 – Why Coach Joey would choose work ethic over talent 16:24 – “I’m a mirror”: Giving back the effort you receive 16:59 – What does success look like for Bam’s pro debut? 17:22 – Success isn't necessarily winning 17:41 – “Receipts”: Turning doubt into motivation 18:06 – Coach Joey’s message for Bam on August 28 18:30 – Why rounds are more important than a quick knockout 18:56 – The moment Bam has dreamed about 19:24 – “We succeeded as a team” 19:29 – Coach Joey from El Rancho Boxing 20:15 – Final thoughts

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ At only 19 years old, Brandon “Bam Bam” Ortiz is preparing to take the first major step of his professional boxing journey. The Puerto Rican prospect joins Travis Hartman inside Stadium Club at Caribe Royale Orlando to discuss his upcoming professional debut on August 28, live on DAZN. Brandon opens up about putting on boxing gloves for the first time in the streets with his friends, winning amateur tournaments, nearly choosing the military instead of boxing, and the moment he decided to go all-in on becoming a professional fighter. He also discusses his Puerto Rican heritage, the influence of fighters such as Héctor “Macho” Camacho and Miguel Cotto, the sacrifices his parents have made, his relationship with God, and his dream of one day bringing a major boxing event to Orlando’s Kia Center. Brandon may be at the beginning of his professional career, but his mission is already clear: “I’m just a kid that has a dream, and I’m gonna chase it.” Subscribe for more conversations with professional fighters, champions, prospects, coaches, and influential personalities from across the boxing world. 00:00 Intro 00:26 Meet Brandon Ortiz 01:12 How Brandon Started Boxing 04:35 Growing Up in New York & Basketball 07:05 Brandon's Amateur Career 08:40 Training with Coach Joey at El Rancho Boxing 12:20 Advice for Turning Pro 17:05 Puerto Rican Heritage & Boxing Legends 22:10 Favorite Fighters Today 25:45 From Street Boxing to the Gym 31:20 Brandon's Biggest Supporters 34:10 Doubters & Dream Killers 39:30 Making His Professional Debut 43:40 Errol Spence vs. Tim Tszyu Discussion 51:45 When Boxing Became Serious 54:45 Almost Joining the Military 56:05 Biggest Lesson Boxing Has Taught Him 58:15 Faith in God 1:03:30 No Pressure Before His Pro Debut 1:06:15 Dream of Fighting at the Kia Center 1:09:45 Where Brandon Sees Himself in 5 Years 1:11:45 Rapid Fire Questions 1:14:50 Travis' Favorite Boxers 1:19:45 Life at Age 25 1:21:20 Ryan Main's Question 1:23:20 Final Thoughts & August 28 Pro Debut

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ 🥊 Ryan Mayne Opens Up About Signing With Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, Emergency Surgery & What's Next Undefeated professional boxer Ryan Mayne (9-0) joins the podcast to discuss the moment he got the call from Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, why he bet on Dana over every other promoter, and how everything changed when a sudden appendix emergency nearly derailed his dream. Ryan shares the painful night that sent him to the ER, the fear of losing his Zuffa contract, recovery from surgery, sparring with former world champion Tim Tszyu, and his plans to return to the ring. We also dive into: 🥊 Signing with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing 🥊 The future of boxing and whether Dana can change the sport 🥊 Ryan's emergency appendix surgery and canceled fight 🥊 Recovery and the road back to competition 🥊 Sparring Tim Tszyu in Miami 🥊 UFC vs. boxing and the differences between the sports 🥊 Floyd Mayweather, Terence Crawford, and boxing longevity 🥊 Why Ryan says boxing is "playing" and why he loves the sport 🥊 Rapid-fire questions, dream opponents, and favorite fighters Ryan's passion for boxing, his faith, and his perseverance shine throughout this conversation. **0:00** Intro & Ryan Maine joins the show **1:00** Signing with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing changed everything **2:29** The phone call that changed Ryan's career **3:37** Dana White, UFC, and why he bet on Zuffa Boxing **8:29** Why Ryan chose Zuffa over other promotions **10:13** What Ryan thinks Dana White saw in him **11:35** Destiny vs. luck and trusting God's plan **12:47** Can Dana White change boxing? **15:15** Ryan's weight class adjustment under Zuffa **16:16** The night his appendix attack started **17:50** Excruciating pain and emergency hospital visit **18:37** Fear of losing his Zuffa contract **20:37** Preparing for emergency surgery **21:52** Funny anesthesia stories after surgery **23:13** Pain vs. losing momentum — which hurt more? **24:17** Sparring with Tim Tszyu in Miami **25:08** Tim Tszyu's character and training stories **27:27** The pressure of being a Hall of Famer's son **29:35** Why boxing is unlike any other sport **33:03** Recovery after appendix surgery **35:19** Ryan's projected return to the ring **36:04** Why boxing feels like "playing" to him **38:21** Life without boxing & his love for the sport **40:11** "Don't let boxing use you—use boxing" **43:15** Boxing vs. MMA: career longevity and damage **44:11** Rapid Fire Questions with Ryan Maine **45:00** Favorite boxer, hardest puncher & dream opponent **46:03** Life outside boxing and describing Dana White **47:00** Danny O'Connor's question for Ryan **51:25** Would Ryan change anything from his past? **52:18** Reflecting on Ryan's journey and future **56:10** UFC White House event reactions **56:55** Why Poirier vs. Gaethje was incredible **59:16** Why boxing skills dominate MMA **1:00:00** Dana White blocked the host on Twitter 😂 **1:00:25** Giving Dana White credit for building an empire **1:01:16** Final thoughts on Ryan Maine's future with Zuffa Boxing * **Reacting to UFC's White House Event** * **The Day Dana White Blocked Me on Twitter**

👉 Subscribe for more interviews: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1 ___________________________________________________________ Former Olympian and world title challenger Danny O'Connor joins the show for one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had. Danny opens up about the eating disorder that nearly cost him everything—his boxing career, his health, and ultimately his life. From extreme weight cuts and 60,000-calorie binge episodes to waking up in the ICU before the biggest fight of his career, this is a raw, honest look at the dark side of combat sports that few athletes have ever discussed publicly. We talk about wrestling, boxing, Olympic dreams, addiction, mental health, the culture of weight cutting, and how Danny turned unimaginable struggles into a mission to help others through his book, Weight Class: A Fighter's Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder. Whether you're a fighter, coach, athlete, parent, or simply someone interested in mental health and resilience, this conversation is one you won't forget. 00:00 – I Ate Until I Passed Out for Two Straight Days (Hook) 00:30 – Introduction 00:39 – The Night We Fought Each Other in 2009 02:27 – Danny's Secret Battle With an Eating Disorder 06:03 – Cutting Weight vs. Having an Eating Disorder 11:00 – How Wrestling Started the Problem 18:15 – Dangerous Weight-Cutting Tactics as a Teenager 25:30 – Ricky Hatton, Food Addiction & Losing Control 31:45 – 60,000-Calorie Binges and the Breaking Point 39:30 – Losing Wrestling and Spiraling Into Drugs & Crime 47:00 – How Boxing Saved My Life 54:15 – Olympic Dreams and Heartbreak 59:30 – The Eating Disorder Takes Over My Career 1:04:00 – The Jose Ramirez World Title Opportunity 1:08:30 – Dying on the Hotel Room Floor Before Weigh-Ins 1:11:30 – Waking Up in the ICU and Losing Everything 1:15:00 – Can Boxing Fix the Weight-Cutting Problem? 1:20:00 – What Coaches Should Look For in Their Fighters

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Boxing Hall of Famer Christy Martin returns to Weighing In with Travis Hartman for one of her most candid interviews yet.

As she prepares to promote fights during International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, Christy pulls back the curtain on life as a promoter, the state of boxing today, and why she believes too many fighters are focused on social media instead of their craft.

We also dive into:

🥊 The biggest mistake young fighters make today
🥊 Why fighters must “stay ready” at all times
🥊 Stories about Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Aaron Pryor, Arturo Gatti and more
🥊 The reality of boxing contracts and promoter-fighter relationships
🥊 Women’s boxing Mount Rushmore
🥊 Hall of Fame memories that fans never get to see
🥊 Christy’s thoughts on some of boxing’s biggest names

Plus, Christy opens up about her future, her nonprofit Christy’s Champs, and the impact she hopes her story will have on future generations.

If you love boxing history, honest conversations, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the sport’s true pioneers, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Time Stamps:

0:00 The Most Overrated Fighter in Boxing

0:44 Intro

1:15 The Reality of Being a Fight Promoter

2:20 Why Today's Fighters Aren't Ready

3:30 Social Media Is Changing Boxing

6:00 Fame vs. Championships

7:15 Marvin Hagler's Compliment

10:00 Tyson, Archie Moore & Boxing Legends

11:15 Aaron Pryor Stories

12:00 Hall of Fame Weekend Memories

15:00 What Makes a Future Star?

18:00 The Friday Night Fights Era

23:00 Why Boxing Can't Create Superstars

27:00 How Don King Changed My Career

35:00 The Highs and Lows of Boxing

42:00 When Fighters Waste Their Talent

45:00 Women's Boxing Mount Rushmore

50:00 The Claressa Shields Debate

54:00 My Legacy Beyond Boxing

1:00:00 Advice for Every Young Fighter

1:04:00 What I'd Earn in Today's Boxing

1:10:00 What's Next for Me

1:16:00 Final Thoughts

🎙️ Weighing In with Travis Hartman