Books have been written about boxing before, often by sportswriters with no first-hand experience. Michael Murray writes as a boxer. His hopes, fears and emotions are those of a professional fighter. His story is not that of an internationally famous and wealthy sportsman, but of a journeyman doing his best to follow his trade and earn a living. The son of Jamaican immigrants, he writes poetically about his early years in Jamaica living with his aunt before he joined his parents in England. Though the fight game has dominated Michael's adult life, his talent for, and love of, music was recognised early on and led to his acceptance at the Royal Northern College of Music. His turbulent youth as a single parent and his discovery of Phil Martin's gym, Champs Camp, led to a profound change of direction. His early years as a boxer introduced him to discipline, pain and many unforgettable characters. His developing career, hampered by injuries, wasn't accompanied by great wealth. He did, however, earn the respect of all in the boxing business.
Fighters, trainers, managers and promoters, including household names such as Tyson, Bruno and Lewis, all play their part in Michael Murray's story. "The Journeyman" is far more than a litany of boxing encounters and anecdotes, although there are plenty of them here. It is the human, often moving story of a family man following wherever his talents take him.
- ISBN10 1840187808
- ISBN13 9781840187809
- Publish Date 11 December 2003 (first published 23 May 2002)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 18 February 2016
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd
- Imprint Mainstream Publishing
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 192
- Language English