Looking For A Fight

by David Matthews

When David Matthews began to research the strange underworld of boxing, he found that many were reluctant to talk to a writer looking for colour pieces without really understanding the sport. So he decided take them on at their own game and began a two-year training programme so he could have one professional fight. LOOKING FOR A FIGHT is Matthews' story of his own battle for fitness, the difficulty of learning how to punch properly and how to take a punch. Above all, he reveals what really motivates the characters that he worked and trained with. What makes someone risk their life for a purse of a few hundred pounds? Why do so many boxers believe that God is on their side? Is boxing a force for good in our society? This is a remarkable account of boxing from within and without.

Paperback

First published February 15, 2001

Reviews

[Ian Wagstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight into the business of boxing, and the writing is high quality. The author does make some disparaging remarks about women at times (calling them bull-dykes on two occasions) and makes an unfair joke about AIDS. However if you can look past the dated language and you are interested in the subject matter, it’s a great read

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nominated for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2001.

Love my boxing, love the memories, as I boxed for eleven years, from the age of 11 years old to 22 years old. Now I cannot believe all the hard training I did, it was tough, but I loved it.

Back in the early noughties, journalist David Matthews was given a commission to write a feature about boxing. As he ventured into this closed subculture, he became fascinated by the hardened characters who inhabited it – and found that they were unwilling to talk to outsiders.

An average guy, of average fitness, he decided to take them on at their own game and began a two year training programme with the aim of achieving a level of fitness where he could have just one fight.

At that time boxing was seen as a violent, outdated sport that was the last bastion of rabid machismo. But in the years since, helped by the global status of superstars such as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, boxing has come to be seen as the ultimate physical and psychological athletic challenge. And what was once exclusively male terrain has grown in appeal amongst women as a martial art which can deliver a level of strength and mental toughness unparalleled in other sports.

Matthews pursues his goal with humour and determination. He diets, he works out, he learns how to punch properly and how to take a punch, and he observes the boxing scene with wit, grit and emotion, peppered with self deprecating charm. Well ahead of the game, it’s this journey of self discovery that makes this remarkable account of boxing from within such a compelling read.

Hard, Hard work, this book open the doors, four stars.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest books about boxing ever written.

[Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journalist decides to write a boxing book. He is of around average fitness and an ordinary guy with a loving relationship. His aim is to have one professional fight and to document his journey towards that fight.

Its all here, from getting the basic fitness level up with regular exercise nd a change to the diet. To stepping into the jump and working on his boxing fundamentals and trying to get them instinctual. Getting into the gym, sparring, holding your own.

To even the ins and outs of trying to get yourself a fight. The only downer on this is that it is personal. His relationship with his girlfriend is an important part of the story. At times you feel like you ARE listening to another boxer whining about how tough it is to be a boxer.

Then really this is a book for someone who wants to learn some more about the fight game. Who knows little about it. Its not one for the aficionados, but its one to show an insight into what the sport is like.

[David H Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be put off by the sport angle. This is the brilliant story of a magazine feature writer who finding his way barred while shaping an article on boxing takes the decision to become a boxer and journal from the inside.

[Russell Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author is honest about himself and frank about the industry. The authors writing style takes you on a journey with him into this bizarre quest and along the way some very interesting characters are introduced and insider insights are revealed. This book is a must read for anyone who has an interest in boxing irrespective of their perspective. Personally, like the author, I sit on the fence with boxing and whilst I am drawn to it, I also think it's barbaric and maybe should be banned. My family has a history in boxing and I did boxing training for many years which has definitely served me well, hence my interest in reading this book, I learned a lot and was thoroughly entertained throughout. Highly recommended

[Sass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a major fan of Matthews gritty gonzo style journalism, and this is my favorite book of his