About this podcast
My name is Ray Corona. My friends call me Popeye Ray. I am a professional boxing referee with a few MMA bouts under my belt. Listening to this podcast you will hear from a pro ref's perspective on fighting and life. We will be having professional boxing referees, actors, fighters, and others on as guests. If you have questions for refs on certain fights and certain calls, this is the place to ask. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Episodes
The newest 20 of 81 episodes
- Paulie Malignaggi: From Troubled Teen to World Champion · 1 h 16 minBefore he became the “Magic Man,” Paulie Malignaggi was an angry teenager looking for direction. Finding boxing gave him discipline, confidence, and something he didn’t want to…
- Gang Life, Heroin Addiction & Finding Jesus | OnTheTira · 1 h 6 minAhmed Bellozo, known as OnTheTira, joins Popeye Ray and Brother Mark to share his story of gang life, 23 years spent in prison, and an addiction that followed him from heroin to…
- Shot, Stabbed & Addicted: How a Former Gang Member Became a Pastor | Mando Vera · 1 h 35 minPastor Mando Vera was once known as “Monster”, a gang member caught in violence, addiction, and incarceration. Today, he returns to the same streets with a message of faith…
- Chris Arreola Unfiltered: His Biggest Fights, Regrets & What’s Next · 55 minThree-time heavyweight title challenger Chris Arreola joins Ref Popeye Ray on Third Man in the Ring for a candid, funny and unfiltered look back at his life inside and outside…
- From Prison, Meth & Violence to Jesus | Mark Gonzalez’s Testimony · 1 h 5 minFrom prison, violent crime, and meth addiction to a life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ—Mark Gonzalez’s testimony is proof that no one is beyond redemption. In this episode of…
- Big John McCarthy | UFC’s Original Ref, LAPD Stories & Bare Knuckle · 1 h 19 minRef Popeye Ray sits down with legendary MMA referee Big John McCarthy for a wide-ranging conversation about the early days of the UFC, life in law enforcement, what it really…
- Pepe Serna on Scarface, American Me & 50 Years of Breaking Barriers in Hollywood · 1 h 3 minWith more than 125 film credits and 300 television appearances, Pepe reflects on growing up in Corpus Christi, discovering his love for performing at an early age, moving to…
- God Changed a Violent Man | Pastor Raul Ries · 1 h 8 minPastor Raul Ries joins Popeye Ray on Third Man in the Ring for a powerful conversation about his life, his testimony, and the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In this episode…
- I Thought I Was Going to Die in the Streets… Now I Live for God · 49 minHe grew up in gang culture…believed he would die in the streets…and was proud of it. Today, his life looks completely different. In this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye…
- Wrongfully Convicted: He Lost 25 Years for a Crime He Didn’t Commit · 1 h 3 minIn this powerful episode, Ray sits down with Miguel Salorio, who was wrongfully convicted and spent 25 years in prison for a crime he says he did not commit. Miguel shares his…
- How God Saved Me From Addiction, Jail, and Suicide · 1 h 9 minIn this powerful episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with John from Calvary Chapel Chino Valley to share a story of redemption, grace, and transformation. John…
- The Art of Officiating World Title Fights | Robert Hoyle · 1 h 11 minIn this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Popeye Ray sits down with top referee Robert Hoyle to talk about the craft of officiating at the highest level of boxing. Hoyle breaks…
- Manny Robles: Discipline, Community, and Building Champions · 58 minIn this episode of Third Man in the Ring, we sit down with renowned boxing trainer Manny Robles to talk about what it really takes to build champions—inside and outside the ring…
- Marine Burned 70% of His Body: Faith, Survival & the Battle After War · 1 h 9 minMarine Staff Sergeant Octavio was leading a convoy in Iraq when a daisy-chain IED of 80mm mortars blew his vehicle apart, killing Captain Maloney and Lance Corporal Help and…
- From Prison to Purpose: A Tattoo Artist Who Found God · 1 h 11 minOnce caught up in gang life and prison, Jaime’s story is one of redemption and transformation. Now a respected tattoo artist in West Covina, he uses his craft and his testimony…
- Abel Sanchez on Training Legends and the Price of Greatness | Full Interview · 1 h 11 minIn this episode of Third Man in the Ring, Ref Popeye Ray sits down with legendary boxing trainer Abel Sanchez . From his roots in La Puente to building the world-famous Summit…
- Comedy, Culture & Survival | George P. Perez · 1 h 3 minIn this episode of Third Man in the Ring, referee Popeye Ray sits down with stand-up comedian George P. Perez, a one-of-a-kind voice in comedy. George opens up about his…
- Drummer of WAR, Sal Rodriguez, on Finding Faith & Life on Tour · 1 h 2 minSal Rodriquez, drummer of the legendary funk band WAR, sits down with me on the Third Man in the Ring Podcast to share his incredible journey through music, fame, and faith. From…
- Union Leadership Matters More Than Ever | Eric Tate · 52 minIn this episode of Third Man in the Ring, we sit down with Eric Tate, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 848. Eric shares his journey, the challenges of union leadership, and…
- "I Needed Direction and Purpose" - Guerrero Fitness · 59 minToday's episode features a man known as Guerrero Fitness, a man who overcame a tough upbringing and the challenges of street life to build a life centered on motivation and…
