Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Redback Rasta
Super Welterweight
Posts: 2907
Joined: 19 Jul 2015, 18:53

Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by Redback Rasta »

Junior Witter biography is due to be released later this year.

Interesting choice of title : "The Avoided."
margaret thatcher
Featherweight
Posts: 39303
Joined: 22 Jul 2019, 15:43

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by margaret thatcher »

just heard of it and im bored already
mickey1975
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 23015
Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by mickey1975 »

It's a Jamie Boyle book, he's previously mainly done Paul Sykes and Lee Duffy books. He's doing a Mickey Duff book as well. I think he's done a Nick Manners book, too.
margaret thatcher
Featherweight
Posts: 39303
Joined: 22 Jul 2019, 15:43

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by margaret thatcher »

will be an absolute moan fest is my guess
Steveh583
Super Featherweight
Posts: 4356
Joined: 24 Nov 2018, 06:06

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by Steveh583 »

looking forward, to it. skillful fighter with a dig. hatton completely shat it.
Redback Rasta
Super Welterweight
Posts: 2907
Joined: 19 Jul 2015, 18:53

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by Redback Rasta »

mickey1975 wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 02:20 It's a Jamie Boyle book, he's previously mainly done Paul Sykes and Lee Duffy books. He's doing a Mickey Duff book as well. I think he's done a Nick Manners book, too.
The Mickey Duff book could be really interesting.

There has already been at least one book on Duff. In fact, '20 and Out' is an autobiography by Duff and I might see if I can chase up a copy of that.
orbtastic
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 12549
Joined: 05 Dec 2006, 11:22

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by orbtastic »

The duff book is ok, I remember that coming out years back.
mickey1975
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 23015
Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by mickey1975 »

orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 03:59 The duff book is ok, I remember that coming out years back.
It isn’t great considering the amount of material that could be used. Mee sticks to the facts and I doubt Duff was that revealing. I’m not sure his health was great, either.
orbtastic
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 12549
Joined: 05 Dec 2006, 11:22

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by orbtastic »

Yeah. It’s mid tier. Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the George Francis one more.

The Benn one around the same time is crap, given his life. It’s so poorly written. Same with the tapia one.

I think the Charlie magri bio is one of the best I’ve read. Doesn’t sugar cost anything, not boring, tells you the story with background. Didn’t James M write it? Oli’s bio of Laing is good, it has a lot of detail, he did a lot of research and it’s laid out well.

Of the earlier bios, the srr one by Dave Anderson (?), terry downes and Ali’s although there are far too many Ali books.
Last edited by orbtastic on 28 Jun 2023, 06:08, edited 1 time in total.
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 05:33 Yeah. It’s mid tier. Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the George Francis one more.

The Benn one around the same time is crap, given his life. It’s so poorly written. Same with the tapia one.

I think the Charlie magri bio is one of the best I’ve read. Doesn’t sugar cost anything, not boring, tells you the story with background. Didn’t James M write it? Oil’s bio of Laing is good, it has a lot of detail, he did a lot of research and it’s laid out well.

Of the earlier bios, the srr one by Dave Anderson (?), terry downes and Ali’s although there are far too many Ali books.
I did indeed mate - thanks so much for the kind words.

One of the most annoying things about that book, is that the forward was written by my namesake Jim McDonnell the former boxer, and I didn't even get a name credit on it - something I greatly regret now, as it was surpisingly well received.

I kept it simple as Charlie was a man who spoke pretty straight forward, no point embellishing the book with words and phrases he simply wouldn't have used.
mickey1975
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 23015
Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by mickey1975 »

I met Duff by chance a couple of times when I was a teenager and he spoke for ages to me about boxing. It really was his whole life.
orbtastic
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 12549
Joined: 05 Dec 2006, 11:22

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by orbtastic »

I used to see him regularly at shows for a while. He always seemed like a decent bloke. Same with woodhall, he should do a bio. Although may have to edit out all the “believe you me”

Ironically I enjoyed the bio of Duran more than Duran’s actual autobiography. I think often with bios it just becomes an objective recounting of someone’s career which can be a bit pointless if you watched their fights. I remember reading someone’s autobiography and they basically gave a couple of lines about their fight like they didn’t really care. Was quite odd. I like to get into the head of the boxer and understand what they were thinking or felt. It’s often missing in books
mickey1975
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 23015
Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by mickey1975 »

orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:07 I used to see him regularly at shows for a while. He always seemed like a decent bloke. Same with woodhall, he should do a bio. Although may have to edit out all the “believe you me”

Ironically I enjoyed the bio of Duran more than Duran’s actual autobiography. I think often with bios it just becomes an objective recounting of someone’s career which can be a bit pointless if you watched their fights. I remember reading someone’s autobiography and they basically gave a couple of lines about their fight like they didn’t really care. Was quite odd. I like to get into the head of the boxer and understand what they were thinking or felt. It’s often missing in books
Duran refused to sign my copy of that. Good book.
The Gratest
Featherweight
Posts: 6495
Joined: 20 Jun 2020, 19:41

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by The Gratest »

mickey1975 wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:10
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:07 I used to see him regularly at shows for a while. He always seemed like a decent bloke. Same with woodhall, he should do a bio. Although may have to edit out all the “believe you me”

Ironically I enjoyed the bio of Duran more than Duran’s actual autobiography. I think often with bios it just becomes an objective recounting of someone’s career which can be a bit pointless if you watched their fights. I remember reading someone’s autobiography and they basically gave a couple of lines about their fight like they didn’t really care. Was quite odd. I like to get into the head of the boxer and understand what they were thinking or felt. It’s often missing in books
Duran refused to sign my copy of that. Good book.
Maybe he'd signed too many already and had writer's cramps. 'No mas'.
The Gratest
Featherweight
Posts: 6495
Joined: 20 Jun 2020, 19:41

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by The Gratest »

jamesmcdonnell wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 05:57
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 05:33 Yeah. It’s mid tier. Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the George Francis one more.

The Benn one around the same time is crap, given his life. It’s so poorly written. Same with the tapia one.

I think the Charlie magri bio is one of the best I’ve read. Doesn’t sugar cost anything, not boring, tells you the story with background. Didn’t James M write it? Oil’s bio of Laing is good, it has a lot of detail, he did a lot of research and it’s laid out well.

Of the earlier bios, the srr one by Dave Anderson (?), terry downes and Ali’s although there are far too many Ali books.
I did indeed mate - thanks so much for the kind words.

One of the most annoying things about that book, is that the forward was written by my namesake Jim McDonnell the former boxer, and I didn't even get a name credit on it - something I greatly regret now, as it was surpisingly well received.

I kept it simple as Charlie was a man who spoke pretty straight forward, no point embellishing the book with words and phrases he simply wouldn't have used.
I have just ordered it from amazon. Will do for my upcoming trip to Angola :TU:
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

The Gratest wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:21
jamesmcdonnell wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 05:57
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 05:33 Yeah. It’s mid tier. Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the George Francis one more.

The Benn one around the same time is crap, given his life. It’s so poorly written. Same with the tapia one.

I think the Charlie magri bio is one of the best I’ve read. Doesn’t sugar cost anything, not boring, tells you the story with background. Didn’t James M write it? Oil’s bio of Laing is good, it has a lot of detail, he did a lot of research and it’s laid out well.

Of the earlier bios, the srr one by Dave Anderson (?), terry downes and Ali’s although there are far too many Ali books.
I did indeed mate - thanks so much for the kind words.

One of the most annoying things about that book, is that the forward was written by my namesake Jim McDonnell the former boxer, and I didn't even get a name credit on it - something I greatly regret now, as it was surpisingly well received.

I kept it simple as Charlie was a man who spoke pretty straight forward, no point embellishing the book with words and phrases he simply wouldn't have used.
I have just ordered it from amazon. Will do for my upcoming trip to Angola :TU:
Splendid stuff, I hope you enjoy it.

It's been a pretty consistent seller, shame I didn't negotiate any residuals on it.

One day I may do another boxing book, I've already got a couple of ideas of what I'd like to do. Whether or not they would produce good results, is another matter. Boxing's not a big seller for publishers, so it's not something anybody is making much money out of.
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

The Gratest wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:17
mickey1975 wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:10
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:07 I used to see him regularly at shows for a while. He always seemed like a decent bloke. Same with woodhall, he should do a bio. Although may have to edit out all the “believe you me”

Ironically I enjoyed the bio of Duran more than Duran’s actual autobiography. I think often with bios it just becomes an objective recounting of someone’s career which can be a bit pointless if you watched their fights. I remember reading someone’s autobiography and they basically gave a couple of lines about their fight like they didn’t really care. Was quite odd. I like to get into the head of the boxer and understand what they were thinking or felt. It’s often missing in books
Duran refused to sign my copy of that. Good book.
Maybe he'd signed too many already and had writer's cramps. 'No mas'.
Perhaps he had cramped hands, or 'Manos De Piedra' as they are known in Panama.
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

mickey1975 wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:10
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:07 I used to see him regularly at shows for a while. He always seemed like a decent bloke. Same with woodhall, he should do a bio. Although may have to edit out all the “believe you me”

Ironically I enjoyed the bio of Duran more than Duran’s actual autobiography. I think often with bios it just becomes an objective recounting of someone’s career which can be a bit pointless if you watched their fights. I remember reading someone’s autobiography and they basically gave a couple of lines about their fight like they didn’t really care. Was quite odd. I like to get into the head of the boxer and understand what they were thinking or felt. It’s often missing in books
Duran refused to sign my copy of that. Good book.
I'd like to read Christian Giaduce's other books, because the Duran one was one of the best I've read.
orbtastic
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 12549
Joined: 05 Dec 2006, 11:22

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by orbtastic »

He did one on arguello. Enjoyed it but not as good.

Someone needs to do a Carl Thompson book

I’m also morbidly curious about joey palledino. I used to see him regularly. Big tall guy with hands like shovels who used to be a goalie. I never understood his motivation for boxing.
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:47 He did one on arguello. Enjoyed it but not as good.

Someone needs to do a Carl Thompson book

I’m also morbidly curious about joey palledino. I used to see him regularly. Big tall guy with hands like shovels who used to be a goalie. I never understood his motivation for boxing.
I can tell you a big problem with Thompson, is that he doesn't really have a great deal to say, I've seen numerous interviews with him, and he's really not very expansive at all - that doesn't make for a very interesting book, well, not in my opinion, I mean a biography of his career is ok, but it's not really very compelling, it doesn't reveal much about the man.

I'd quite like to do one on Danny Williams - I reckon there's some interesting stuff going on in there, especially as by all accounts he was forced into boxing by his dad,. I interviewed Jim McDonnell as part of doing Charlie's book, and Jim said that Danny was the most frustrating fighter he ever worked with, he had all the tools at his disposal, but didn't really want it badly enough. Despite that, Danny had a pretty remarkable career, culiminating in the fights with Vitali and Tyson.
orbtastic
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 12549
Joined: 05 Dec 2006, 11:22

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by orbtastic »

jamesmcdonnell wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:56
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:47 He did one on arguello. Enjoyed it but not as good.

Someone needs to do a Carl Thompson book

I’m also morbidly curious about joey palledino. I used to see him regularly. Big tall guy with hands like shovels who used to be a goalie. I never understood his motivation for boxing.
I can tell you a big problem with Thompson, is that he doesn't really have a great deal to say, I've seen numerous interviews with him, and he's really not very expansive at all - that doesn't make for a very interesting book, well, not in my opinion, I mean a biography of his career is ok, but it's not really very compelling, it doesn't reveal much about the man.

I'd quite like to do one on Danny Williams - I reckon there's some interesting stuff going on in there, especially as by all accounts he was forced into boxing by his dad,. I interviewed Jim McDonnell as part of doing Charlie's book, and Jim said that Danny was the most frustrating fighter he ever worked with, he had all the tools at his disposal, but didn't really want it badly enough. Despite that, Danny had a pretty remarkable career, culiminating in the fights with Vitali and Tyson.
Yeah that’s right. A mate of mine met him a few times and he’s very quiet. I think I saw some early internet interview where he just sat in his council house drinking a cup of tea. I think to call him Boring is probably a misnomer but I just think he’s quite self contained and not particularly articulate. I hated the way ingle and Nelson goaded him and made him look stupid on TV yet those two used to mangle their syntax and words constantly.

He was a kick boxer too, I remember him having some tough fights in Europe way before the wbo.

Another mate of mine told me Williams was up here doing some training in an oxygen tent. Then apparently he just never turned up. I always got the impression he hated boxing but had some talent and guts. Who can forget the potter fight.
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45231
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 07:03
jamesmcdonnell wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:56
orbtastic wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 06:47 He did one on arguello. Enjoyed it but not as good.

Someone needs to do a Carl Thompson book

I’m also morbidly curious about joey palledino. I used to see him regularly. Big tall guy with hands like shovels who used to be a goalie. I never understood his motivation for boxing.
I can tell you a big problem with Thompson, is that he doesn't really have a great deal to say, I've seen numerous interviews with him, and he's really not very expansive at all - that doesn't make for a very interesting book, well, not in my opinion, I mean a biography of his career is ok, but it's not really very compelling, it doesn't reveal much about the man.

I'd quite like to do one on Danny Williams - I reckon there's some interesting stuff going on in there, especially as by all accounts he was forced into boxing by his dad,. I interviewed Jim McDonnell as part of doing Charlie's book, and Jim said that Danny was the most frustrating fighter he ever worked with, he had all the tools at his disposal, but didn't really want it badly enough. Despite that, Danny had a pretty remarkable career, culiminating in the fights with Vitali and Tyson.
Yeah that’s right. A mate of mine met him a few times and he’s very quiet. I think I saw some early internet interview where he just sat in his council house drinking a cup of tea. I think to call him Boring is probably a misnomer but I just think he’s quite self contained and not particularly articulate. I hated the way ingle and Nelson goaded him and made him look stupid on TV yet those two used to mangle their syntax and words constantly.

He was a kick boxer too, I remember him having some tough fights in Europe way before the wbo.

Another mate of mine told me Williams was up here doing some training in an oxygen tent. Then apparently he just never turned up. I always got the impression he hated boxing but had some talent and guts. Who can forget the potter fight.
Yes, he certainly wasn't lacking in guts, that's the odd thing, it wasn't a lack of resolve, or courage, it was a lack of desire. He took an absolute shelling against Vitali, but just kept on getting up. Even in his winning effort against Tyson, he took a huge amount of flush shots before Tyson ran out of gas and will to continue. I am convinced to this day, that the Tyson fight left him with some permanent neurological damage, he never really looked the same after that fight, and his punch resistance seemed to go after that.

That's what I find fascinating, is that Williams reached what for most fighters would be considered the pinnacle of the sport, despite not really wanting to do it.
TheLeprechaun
Super Middleweight
Posts: 5157
Joined: 27 Jun 2013, 20:42

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by TheLeprechaun »

I'll buy it. He had an interesting career. Came in at late notice vs Judah and stunk the place out but it was pretty impressive going the distance he did show some talent there. The rebuilding process and streak of KOs/dominant performances was good to watch and he did create some buzz. Hatton didn't want any part of him. High risk low reward. Good wins over Ndou, Kotelnik and Corley put him on the scene and the flattening of Harris was a great world title win. He was on the way up and building a big profile but losing the Bradley fight live on ITV was a big setback in his first defence. A very tight fight and split decision loss and I think that essentially did his career at that level. He went on to have a string of losses even including a very poor fight against Frankie Gavin. If you didn't see it, you are one lucky individual.

I used to think he would have beaten Hatton when they were both in their prime and Hatton was avoiding him but the pressure from Hatton might have seen him go into spoiler/runner mode. I would probably pick him to beat Hatton but it's a close call. What a shame the fight wasn't made.
forcefraser
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 5438
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 06:15

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by forcefraser »

Meldrick Taylor's book was the best thing I've ever read
mickey1975
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 23015
Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54

Re: Junior Witter book to be released later this year

Post by mickey1975 »

TheLeprechaun wrote: 28 Jun 2023, 11:03 I'll buy it. He had an interesting career. Came in at late notice vs Judah and stunk the place out but it was pretty impressive going the distance he did show some talent there. The rebuilding process and streak of KOs/dominant performances was good to watch and he did create some buzz. Hatton didn't want any part of him. High risk low reward. Good wins over Ndou, Kotelnik and Corley put him on the scene and the flattening of Harris was a great world title win. He was on the way up and building a big profile but losing the Bradley fight live on ITV was a big setback in his first defence. A very tight fight and split decision loss and I think that essentially did his career at that level. He went on to have a string of losses even including a very poor fight against Frankie Gavin. If you didn't see it, you are one lucky individual.

I used to think he would have beaten Hatton when they were both in their prime and Hatton was avoiding him but the pressure from Hatton might have seen him go into spoiler/runner mode. I would probably pick him to beat Hatton but it's a close call. What a shame the fight wasn't made.
The fact the Harris fight was at Doncaster Dome just about sums it up. The Nottingham arena shows were only on the back of Froch.
Post Reply