Tony Bellew: Nothing Made Me Happy Until I Found This

In this episode, Stephen Bartlett talks to Tony Bellew, a former world boxing champion, who shares insights into his life, upbringing, and the struggles he faced both inside and outside the ring. Bellew describes how his environment in Wavertree, Liverpool, shaped him into a fighter. With a father who left the family early, Bellew took on the role of protector for his younger brother, who faced bullying for being openly gay during a time when it wasn't accepted. This instilled a fighting mentality in him from a young age, leading to his boxing career.

Bellew reflects on pivotal moments in his life, including the emotional toll of his father's infidelity on his mother and how that influenced his values as a man. He emphasizes the lessons learned from experiencing hardship and how they guide his actions today. He speaks about the importance of learning from mistakes and highlights the need to provide a stable environment for his own children despite his background.

As Bellew recounts his journey through boxing, he discusses the pressures of fame, the financial struggles he faced early in his career, and the realization that financial success doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness. He shares the profound grief of losing loved ones, specifically his brother-in-law Ashley, and how that experience affected his marriage and personal outlook on life.

Throughout the conversation, Bellew stresses the importance of remaining true to oneself, the impact of mentorship from figures like his coach Jimmy, and the importance of striving for happiness beyond monetary wealth. He concludes by emphasizing that true happiness comes from within and cannot solely be found in material success.