What do you think?
Rate this book
Fighter
A lyrical and poignant memoir from former world boxing champion and Irish Olympian Andy Lee who brawled his way to the top of the world’s most unforgiving sport.
Outside of the ring, boxing legend Andy Lee was the Irish Traveller in England. The English cousin in Ireland. The white boy in Detroit. But inside the ring he was only ever one a fighter.
In 2005, at the age of twenty, Andy Lee left Limerick to make it in the harsh and unforgiving world of professional boxing. Under the guidance of the legendary Emanuel Steward, he set about honing his craft, winning fight after fight slowing ascending the professional ranks.
Then in 2012, Lee suffered two devastating blows in quick defeat in his first world championship bout and the sudden loss of Steward, his guide and confidant. Bereft, his career was in jeopardy, the path to redemption would test every hard-won lesson of the previous decade.
Fighter is a lyrical and philosophical memoir about resilience, bravery, and the wisdom to be found at the limits of human experience.
Outside of the ring, boxing legend Andy Lee was the Irish Traveller in England. The English cousin in Ireland. The white boy in Detroit. But inside the ring he was only ever one a fighter.
In 2005, at the age of twenty, Andy Lee left Limerick to make it in the harsh and unforgiving world of professional boxing. Under the guidance of the legendary Emanuel Steward, he set about honing his craft, winning fight after fight slowing ascending the professional ranks.
Then in 2012, Lee suffered two devastating blows in quick defeat in his first world championship bout and the sudden loss of Steward, his guide and confidant. Bereft, his career was in jeopardy, the path to redemption would test every hard-won lesson of the previous decade.
Fighter is a lyrical and philosophical memoir about resilience, bravery, and the wisdom to be found at the limits of human experience.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
5 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Andy Lee
1 bookAndy Lee was the WBO middleweight world champion from 2014–2015, making him the first Irish boxer to win a world title on American soil since 1934, and the first member of the Traveller community to win a major world title. He signed his first professional contract with Emanuel Steward in 2005 and moved to Detroit to train in the world-renowned Kronk Gym until Steward died in 2012, after which Lee joined up with English trainer Adam Booth. Over the course of his professional career, he accumulated thirty-five professional victories. Lee hung up his gloves in 2018 and is currently a member of the DAZN broadcast team and trainer for several leading fighters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 21, 2025
I wish I could give this wonderful book six stars rather than five. What little I know about boxing could be lost on the head of a pin but I recognise great writing when I’m fortunate enough to unearth it - and this most certainly is great writing.
The book is open, honest, complex and tugs at the heartstrings as Andy Lee tells it as it is about his journey from humble beginnings to the top in boxing.
He spares us nothing - the sacrifices he had to make, the relentless drive to overcome obstacles, the help he received along the way and the importance of both family and faith.
It is an inspiring and inspirational read that opens the door into a world previously closed to me and given the lyrical nature of the writing and the incredible verbal pictures that he draws it is a book that will long stay with me.
The book is open, honest, complex and tugs at the heartstrings as Andy Lee tells it as it is about his journey from humble beginnings to the top in boxing.
He spares us nothing - the sacrifices he had to make, the relentless drive to overcome obstacles, the help he received along the way and the importance of both family and faith.
It is an inspiring and inspirational read that opens the door into a world previously closed to me and given the lyrical nature of the writing and the incredible verbal pictures that he draws it is a book that will long stay with me.
June 26, 2025
astonishing book. one of the best sports books I have read. one that transcends sport and is more about life and purpose.
July 9, 2025
Not very engaging, alright book
September 28, 2025
Cracking read! Andy Lee is a gent and a genuine Irish Treasure.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews