Boxer in 'A million little pieces'?

[winkveron]

Anyone read the book 'A million little pieces' by James Frey? I've just finished reading it and it was one of the most amazing books I've ever read. He's in rehab with an American boxer who was World featherweight champ 2 years previous (think the book was written in around '93) but then fell of with a crack habit, which ruined his career and ultimately his life. He called him Matty Jackson in the book but I'm assuming this was a fake name. I'm not intending to offend said boxer but wondered if anyone knew who it was and if this was a famous incident in the boxing world. It just shows that people from all walks of life can stumble into life changing addictions.

[jtourettes]

It could be a completely made up character as a lot of the novel was bullshit but still an entertaining read.

[MacTavish]

Top book - looking forward to reading the sequel 'My friend Leonard' on holiday next month...

[steve689]

I remember putting up a thread about this a few years ago! I think it's fictional and the boxer doesn't exist. After searching at the time of reading I could find nobody as high profile that fitted the description and matched the dates.

[jonp]

yeh i realy enjoyed my friend leonard until i found out it wasnt as true as hed made out took the shine of it a little for me

[gb]

I suppose he could have changed the weight class and time lapsed a bit as well, although, as people have said, it later transpired that a lot of the book was totally made up.
I think that the fight described in the book is Holyfield - Bowe III, which happened in 1995.