Herol Graham On Life After Boxing

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan travels the world, meeting some of the biggest names in sport to look at the challenges athletes face once their career is over.

[@redword2007]

It's a shame that Herol has had such a tough time in retirement. For what it's worth, he was an inspiration to me as a young man. A tremendous athlete and a very decent human being.

[@naviddorris8804]

what happened to him ? lol its no surprise to me, losers in the ring are usually losers out of the ring too.

[@amucci7]

Navid Dorris what have you done with your life? your just sat in your house chatting shit through a keyboard about a man who fought for a living lmao you couldnt live a day in his shoes, and your a loser in life lol lonely man learn not to be jealous just because youve achived nothing in your shitty life😂😂😂😂

[@paulholmboy3331]

@@naviddorris8804 you’re the loser for saying that.

[@will6996]

Not true in some cases because many had success in the ring but ran into trouble during retirement, it happens both ways in his case their were a few fighters a cut above himself. Jerry quarry is a good example. Against Hagler,hearns,leonard or Duran as skilled as he was all of them would defeat him, some guys are Champions and some are contenders that's the way it is. He had no purpose such as wife,kids and family, pursuing a business, learning about money and who you're real friends are mike tyson can tell you about that.

[@jota55581]

​@@naviddorris8804looser in the ring ? You disgrace ! Have You seen how record

[@adonisbomb8376]

I'm so happy he's my trainer in boxing right now!

[@biglen957]

They called him the best british boxer never to win a world title. He was the first star stylist out of brendon ingle's sheffield gym. Undefeated as a light-middle , he was tommy hearns no1 contender. Herol was unfortunate to come along when the light-middle superstars - hearns - duran - benitez were getting all the big money. He moved to middleweight and found himself marvin hglers no1 contender. Again, herol was out in the cold as hagler fought john mugabi [who herol beat in the amatuers ] and then sugar ray leonard. By the time Herol got his chance he was already slightly past his best. A split decision loss to mccullam and 2 subsequent stoppage losses in fights he was winning. A legend in british boxing. They dont make fighters like him anymore.

[@billwhite9703]

+big len You couldn't meet a nicer bloke either. I hope he does OK in the rest of his life.

[@DHTCF]

He was very unlucky. Hagler in 85 would probably have been too much for him. A year or two later, maybe not. That he took McCallum to a paper thin decision tells you what a good fighter he was, ‘cos the bodysnatcher was so good that the superstars ducked him.

[@michaelkenny1326]

big len ,

[@havrisen6620]

No super star ducked him. Tired of hearing that bullshit. Do you know where that lie started and the source it came from? MIKE McCALLUM! The superstars were ducking, if anything, a shitty paycheck, not Mike McCallum. In 1985,86,87, McCallum was a nobody. Why would Hearns,Leonard,Hagler, etc., fight him when they had each other making ASTRONOMICAL MONEY? Use some common fucking sense. By the way, McCallum better be glad they didn’t fight him! It gave his career longevity!

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

I went to an International volleyball tournament @ The Sheffield Arena around 7 years ago and in the foyer was Herol Graham. I recognised him immediately and said hello. He went back into an office and brought out a signed photograph for me. What a lovely man who was so modest and unassuming. I wish him all the best in the future!!

[@markwhittaker6866]

Just literally seen the champ on my way home from work near Tower Bridge. He's looking very well considering all he has gone through. STAY BLESSED CHAMP!

[@jimcameron4672]

Herol was a great fighter he put the Ingles on the map with his style

[@Kukisan24]

Awesome Boxer..and an even better human being. Thanks for the memories.

[@byronelenica8329]

A supreme boxer and brilliant man. I was mesmerised by Herol in his era. I hope is happy as he deserves.

[@Argon-Windows-And-Doors-Ltd]

Such a great man is Herol. I was chatting to him and had a few pic's taken at Edmonton Green shopping centre today, he was doing 10 hours of skipping for charity on a wet sunday morning. He had his daughter supporting him, she was fantastic and handed me a rope and i had a 5 minute skip with him. I didnt want to leave and was a shame to say good bye. I'll see you another day my friend.

[@MadBoy8734]

Fucking hell, didn't realise he'd had such a hard time in retirement! God bless ya Bomber!!!

[@davidcook680]

Probably didn't help getting flattened by Julian Jackson. Brutal knockout.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Loved Herol Graham. Awesome boxer. Hope he is doing well now.

[@trackandfieldarchive]

I can understand his pain. I was a former professional track athlete and the emptiness you feel when you retire is quite overwhelming. You feel lost, and a huge chunk of your identity is lost. All the excitement is gone. It's like a drug where you're on this tremendous high and when you retire it's the comedown of the drug. I was lucky I already had a career before retiring, otherwise I may very well have gone into a spiral.

[@jongreen6422]

Absolutely a British legend in the sport world

[@RealDeal247]

Give this guy a job as a boxing TV pundit and pay him. He entertained so many and now needs support.

[@uladzimirlagoun2745]

Bless you, Herol! You have won the fight against Mccallum, I was watching that attentively.

[@jerven200]

Fantastic boxer totally outclassing The Hawk Jackson before he got reckless and got caught. Nice chap who deserves the respect...

[@naviddorris8804]

He still lost the fight!!!! He he gets most of his respect for what he did to Jackson in a fight that he didn't even win!!! haha He's known for coming up short lol He was a loser, the complete opposite of a winner like Calzaghe wh always found a way to win, Graham always found a way to lose.. hes the most Overrated British fighter ever, he lost at british level, european level, world level and has no good wins.

[@martytdd1606]

To use the term 'out classed' doesn't make sense in my opinion. Jackson was defanately having trouble with the style but made the ajustment and unloaded the land mine. The man was a streight up animal, no shame in losing to him. That punch would've sleeped most fighters

[@alanmacdonald4975]

You talk a pile of fucking shite

[@spannerintheworks1190]

@@martytdd1606 he was having trouble with eyesight too, the bout was in Spain, due to the British board not sanctioning the fight because JJ was so short sighted.

[@patomalley55]

Great boxer in an era of many great champions. Possibly the best boxer never to have won a title. Thanks for the memories.

[@sinimini]

Top guy, met him when I was 12 at a boxing promotion, really nice to us all and he was wearing a bomber jacket too!

[@andylocke1195]

We love you bomber man, you inspired me as a amateur boxer bless you 🙏 ❤

[@francisjtuk]

He was so damn good. Remember watching a great fight of his against Rod Douglas. Herol at his best.

[@BikSingh00]

I idolised Herol and went to see his fight against McCallum. He was my main inspiration to take up boxing. I got to meet my hero 13 years ago when I had a personal training session with him, in a small gymnasium in Muswell Hill. We talked about the McCallum fight. He said to me they (the judges) should have just given it to him. He told me about his upcoming book as well. After the training session Herol introduced me to his then fiancé Karen, who was working in a women’s clothing shop just around the corner, on Muswell Hill Broadway. I had another training session with Herol in a boxing gym in Finchley the following year. Herol was a defensive magician, and his skills were mesmerising. He deserved so much more in boxing and in life.

[@jeremylamovsky3669]

Seems like a lovely man. Hope he is well and finds good mental health. Cheers from across the pond

[@24282488david]

All the best herol hope you are good

[@theliamoreilly1]

bomer graham is a lovely genuine guy. met him a few times at boxing shows. I actuall boxed a lad from the gym he runs in my 1st amature bout

[@wozzer2727]

I think he could make a living as Ben Kingsleys stand-in.

[@rosshampton3483]

Herol is loved by his Sheffield clan and we love him very much

[@dalejohnson4871]

Bless you Harold g. True champion in and out of the ring.

[@m3anthony]

Such a nice chap. Didn't Bruno say getting back in the gym saved him?

[@Nagy50Magyar]

Herrol Graham seems like a feally great, pleasant guy. Best to him, always.

[@rouge_queen]

Michael Watson❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ lets pray for him!!!

[@chrisford9622]

🙏

[@dfcvda]

wow, amazing, thankyou.

[@WELLBRAN]

Always though Herol was a real nice guy articulate and intelligent

[@johncafcturner7142]

He was awesome I still think he is more so now how open and honest.

[@DavidJones-jy5qn]

A British Legend 👏👏👏

[@fredginger7364]

You know there’s a lot of fighting men that copy this great great fighter. A small Ali I could only put it if he was in the real old days he’d of been champ for years.

[@Straightshooterx71x]

Met Josh Lewsey in Cardiff after England lost to Wales 100% gentleman.

[@JonfitzFitzjohn-k6s]

i have the upmost respect for Erol

[@terrencekelly1256]

he looks like snoop dogg with no hair

[@starlyt8066]

hahhaha well said

[@iancampbell7791]

all the best to him hope he has good luck in the future

[@rowdyyates4273]

Wow his looking in great shape----interesting life thats been rebooted with a lovely family and wife.---good luck to him -x

[@wayneflint6836]

Met my hero at the London marathon 1993

[@PJP812]

a briiliant stylish technician - Definitely worse boxers than him won world titles - Best never to win a world title

[@wozzer2727]

Is this Ben Kingsley circa Sexy Beast Film?

[@carlosdeno]

A real good guy..!

[@anthonymitchell8893]

humble man herol nottingham born and breed

[@casmckay8034]

I like the man very much

[@andrewmorris6187]

The Jimmy white of boxing.

[@RaphaelDawkinsCombatRadio]

Shame there is no training for boxers after they retire or coaching. Sad.

[@jasonantigua6825]

So sad to hear the latest news

[@mrlegs1544]

I had plenty to money and plenty of feind s to go with the money...yes that was spelt right

[@allblacks4lyfeback2black19]

That ko herol got from Jackson was the greatest and funniest ever

[@sugarteacup753]

Uslus boxer one of the worst Britain had

[@naviddorris8804]

The most overrated british fighter ever. Brits love a loser for some reason!.The classic nearly man. He lost TWICE to Kalumbay, he lost to Mccallum, he got knocked out brutally by a blind Jackson, he was stopped by Frank Grant in a british title fight!, got knocked out by Charles Brewer.! He had no chin, was prone to lapses in concentration.. He certainly wasn't 'special' as some people make out. You need OVERALL abilty in boxing to suceed and Herol had too many flaws. He had his chances and he blew them all, he is a natural loser who always finds a way to loser

[@a.v.london1952]

He achieved more than you ever will!

[@hyena131]

Graham was a fine boxer and he comes across as a very decent guy, but all the athletes who suffer from depression post-retirement are a bit of a drag. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, and instead come up with a plan B given you can't box forever. Go to college and become a car mechanic, a chef, an architect...anything, but the secret is not to mope, but to live life and be busy. There are many former athletes who have let go of their past and successfully navigated this. Don't let your career/job define you. Or if you do, make sure it's a career you enjoy and one that has longevity.

[@stikndip]

Herol seems like a lovely man. I'm lucky enough to remember him in his heyday and he should've won a world title. He was too young against Kalambay and just got caught with the best punch on Julian Jackson's career in his second attempt. Good luck Herol.

[@PaulSaether]

Herol. Do you really think that you were underappreciated? You are SO wrong. We boxing fans know how good you were.

[@zombieman6524]

herold graham is my personal trainer

[@minds777]

Lucky man

[@jupiter-8405]

That came across as so genuine not playing the victim at all. He was a superb boxer and I remember him always being on the scene in the 80's and just falling short in his biggest fights. Sad that many of his 'friends' took advantage of him, that must really hurt.

[@TubeFaddy]

Gutted to see that such a popular man like Herol, who had such a profound effect on Boxing, didn't know how very important he was to so many people... 😞😞 #HerolBomberGraham #HerolThePioneer #HerolIsALegend

[@petecernan2568]

He’s a great fighter who deserves more recognition and respect best of luck to him

[@hujjesb]

oh man what a nice guy

[@matthewthroup6270]

I think very focussed people can become so absorbed in what they do so well that when it comes to an end whatever it was that they were focussed on then have nothing else and depression can set in. I admire his openness and honesty and wish him the best.

[@paulholmboy3331]

My all time favourite , wish I could tell him

[@martinezroger9862]

I thought he died when Jackson landed his atomic bomb !

[@t.least.he.is.honest]

I used to live just down the road from Bomber and we all went to London to cheer him on in his world title challenge that was a sad day ,but Herol I s a nice man

[@unionjakjakson]

As a young lad, training at St Thomas boxing club in Sheffield, Herol was an icon. At the end of our sparring sessions, he would give us all a couple of minutes in the ring with him, The objective was to try and hit him...impossible. The man was pure class, such amazing reflexes, we never landed a punch on him, and to his absolute credit, he never tried to hit us back. Never forget those days and I hope Herol is now in a happier place then he ended up a few years ago. Stay strong buddy.

[@kieranmaharajah6933]

I've got an update for you, he coaches at North London boxing club and is still a class act, great coach too and seems very happy when coaching us

[@jenscee7679]

He’s one of the best boxers of any nationality to not win a world championship. My favourite British boxer ever.

[@samuelrobertson1567]

I loved watching this guy fight! His style kept you on the edge of your seat!

[@mattthetaffy6702]

Just seen the Bomber , really nice guy, Awsome fighter and such a shame he never won a world title he was easily world class

[@fuzzy1237]

Love this man

[@mickybrennan3489]

Gentleman boxer, awesome talent , hope you find peace of mind.

[@charlie123866]

he deserves finacial security.we all do..

[@procioneintubato]

Can't believe this guy never won a world title. Such a a talented boxer.

[@naviddorris8804]

he had 4 chances and lost them all! no excuses Some top fighters such as Jamie Moore never even got one chance at a world title. Herol Graham CLEARLY wasn't good enough at world level its as simple as that,

[@paulholmboy3331]

@@naviddorris8804 why don’t you crawl back under that rock and continue feeding you bitterness

[@BikSingh00]

@@naviddorris8804 He had 3 chances. Get your facts right. He’d knock you out fool.

[@cycletouringoz5760]

Herol has had some real healthissues, as has his wife. I hope they are both well ❤️

[@TerryTibbsTalkToMe2024]

"Works in Asda now" - Tyan Booth.

[@workingclassman9727]

GOD BLESS HEROL

[@Pulsonar]

Sad how my 80s heroes Bomber Graham, Kirk Laing, Errol Christie ended up in poor health or died relatively young. I love boxing, but the devastating toll on yesterdays superstars is alarming, and continues unabated.

[@kevintrace5396]

Good boxer herol liked his fights

[@ZipSlipHollingbrook]

"Turned to drink, Brandy, and then you got your knife out." In America that translates to, 'Crystal Meth,' and a, 'Mossberg.'

[@tueemsyhu4846]

Graham's fight against Douglas is NICE!

[@alexandermacdonald7547]

Never was the same person after the Julian Jackson fight

[@JJ-qt8zb]

What a nice bloke Herol is, I hope he finds peace.

[@jota55581]

Errols record is incrédible!

[@aliinottingham]

seems like a good man

[@terryford3028]

Class👌👌👌

[@SandeepKumar-jg5ps]

Michel vaghuah

[@nobbytang]

He was a good boxer ...but he was beaten in his carear by better men ...sambu kalambay outboxed him easily twice !!....plus Mike mccallum and Jackson !!....good boxer but not a great ......nice bloke though and needs help with depression

[@davelou1995]

nobby roberts I watched the first Kalambay fight live - Kalambay won but not easily, the second fight Graham won and pretty convincingly. Kalambay was another fighter that no one wanted to fight. When Nunn got him out in the first Kalambay never got another look in. If Graham hadn't held and thrown McCallum down and lost a point he would have got a draw - against another fighter no one wanted to fight. Jackson, well if you drop your hands or pitty-patt and then pitty-patt again, you're going to get knocked out! I have rose tinted glasses when talking about this guy. An idol of mine when I was a youngster. Along with Honeyghan, Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Mugabi.