On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D sat down with filmmaker Renee Moncada and Grammy winning producer Thomas McElroy to talk about Sons of the Sweet Science, a new documentary series that shines a light on Oakland’s deep boxing culture, family bonds, and the larger meaning behind the sport. Framed through a distinctly Bay Area lens, the conversation centered on what it means to tell your own story instead of waiting for outside institutions to recognize your community.
Moncada explained that the series is about much more than punches and wins. She described it as a coming of age story rooted in fatherhood, consciousness, and what she called the metaphysics of boxing. For her, boxing is not just physical combat. It is strategy, precision, discipline, energy, and the unseen emotional forces that shape people’s lives. She shared that her interest in the sport came from family, culture, and years of watching her own son grow up in gyms and around fighters.
McElroy added important historical context, noting that Oakland has long been a serious boxing city, even if it has not always received the same recognition as places like Philadelphia or Houston. He traced that legacy back generations, pointing to the Henry J Kaiser Center, the city’s gyms, and fighters like Andre Ward. He described Oakland boxers as all terrain fighters, athletes who can adapt to any style and who carry a particular grit, toughness, and heart.
A major part of the conversation focused on Moncada and McElroy’s son, Tommy Jr., an elite amateur boxer who is now ranked nationally in two weight classes. His parents reflected on how boxing became a safe and affirming space for him, especially at a time when schools were trying to label him because of his high energy. Instead of viewing him as a problem, they saw a gifted young person who needed the right environment to thrive. That perspective became central to the film.
The guests also discussed the challenge of filming boxing with patience and artistry, and why Moncada wanted to capture Oakland with beauty and depth. The four part series premieres April 4 and will air on KOFY TV20, YouTube, and at live events. In the end, the conversation made clear that Sons of the Sweet Science is not just about boxing. It is about Oakland, community, resilience, and the power of telling your own story.
Sons of the Sweet Science Launches April 4 Across Broadcast, Digital, and Social Platforms
New boxing content series explores the discipline, culture, and legacy of the sport through Oakland and the greater Bay Area
OAKLAND, Calif. — April 4, 2026 — Sons of the Sweet Science, a new original boxing content series rooted in the real lives inside Oakland’s boxing gyms, will officially launch on April 4, 2026 across local broadcast stations, the official website SonsofTheSweetScience.com, YouTube, and social media platforms.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.