The authors writing is descriptive and colorful. The author goes the distance when describing the characters in very descriptive ways. When it come to describing the world of boxing, the author puts a good deal of detail in describing the boxing terminology. But boxing is not the real subject of the short story, rather it is a short story that deals with failure of a father and son as well as a husband and a wife which all takes place in the sport of boxing.

The book is about the struggles of a son who is torn between the life he wants to live and the life his father a broken boxing champion (wannabe) wants for him, and that is to be a boxing champion. The father assumes that the son will follow in his footsteps and want to be a boxer. However, the son, despite having the talent, does not have the heart or desire. The son concludes his path will go in one direction only and this path is decided at the Olympic trials.

The best feature is lively and never boring descriptive dialog. And like so many short stories it is easy to maintain the readers interest. But in this short story, the author keeps the pace of the story right to the very end. And, sad to say, the book is too short. It was a good read right from the beginning and the author does better than most at keeping the reader interested. Based on all the character development and descriptives metaphors, etc., the book seems to end a bit early.

The book ends leaving the reader wanting more..... It is that good!

The story takes place in London, essentially about the main character (Billy) who is trying out for the Olympics boxing championships-Billy seems a relative wimp compared to his foul mouthed,overbearing, drunk, belligerent and very angry father (Terry) who is pushing the son to pursue the dream he failed to fulfil. You've got a standard story here, but it's the gritty in your face way it's delivered that stays with you. Terry is almost sadomasochistic in how he batters his son emotionally and physically to compete and Billy in his quest to tell his father what he really wants, is willing to break his heart in a very unconventional way.

The prose is sparse, snappy, graphic and laced with tension and like most good short stories, ends with the reader wanting more. This is great book that I would recommend to all boxing fans who enjoy a good read about the sport they love.