(Interview by Declan Warrington)
BN: How is life in retirement?
DB: Life in retirement is great. I’ve found contentment after a lifetime of chasing goals. I never expected to have a career in the media, but now I’m commentating for DAZN and I’m really enjoying it. My family life is fantastic too, and overall, I’m very happy with where I am.
BN: Injuries undermined the latter years of your career. How comfortable are you, physically?
DB: I’ve definitely put my body through a lot, but I’m managing it daily by stretching and avoiding certain activities. I do get frustrated at times, but I know that the sacrifices I made during my boxing career were worth it.
BN: Did you earn enough as a fighter to retire when injuries forced you to?
DB: Yes, I earned enough to be in a good position financially. I also opened a gym which has helped me stay comfortable. Money isn’t my main concern, as long as my kids are alright.
BN: Do you have any regrets?
DB: I do have a few regrets, mainly about missed opportunities in my amateur career and not being able to call myself an Olympian. However, I don’t regret getting injured in the Sturm fight. It was worth it for everything I had achieved.
BN: How much of a frustration is it that you, Matthew Macklin, Martin Murray and Andy Lee never fought?
DB: While it would have been nice to have those domestic dust-ups, I don’t have any regrets about not fighting them. I’m very happy with my boxing career.
BN: Which of them was the best?
DB: Each of them had their strengths, but I genuinely believe I was the best out of all of them.
BN: Who was the best you fought?
DB: Sergio Martinez was the best I fought. He was very skilled and experienced and I learned a lot from fighting him.
BN: How much do you owe your success to Tony Sims?
DB: Tony Sims was instrumental in my success. He knew how to bring out the best in me and I am very grateful for his guidance.
BN: How much does being a commentator fill the void your fighting career could have left?
DB: Being a commentator is a huge fulfillment for me. While nothing will replace the feeling of winning, I am truly living the dream by being ringside and calling fights.
BN: What’s been your highlight so far?
DB: My highlight so far has been commentating alongside Roy Jones Jnr at the Usyk-AJ fight. It was a surreal experience for me, and a real box ticked.
BN: How much do you still think about your brother Gary?
DB: I think about my brother Gary every day. He will never be forgotten.
BN: How much does your sense of spirituality still bring you peace?
DB: My spirituality has been a great source of comfort and understanding, especially after the loss of my brother. It’s something I think about and explore daily.