Ted Taylor can only remember his father in their family home as a violent drunk. Now in his mid 20’s, Ted marvels at the fact that he has followed that cycle of violence and his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, into the world of international boxing.

His father, who he hasn’t called Dad in a very long time, was successful, but fell from grace in the Australian boxing world a few years before. His grandfather, who everyone calls Pop, is a successful trainer, looking after both Ted’s father and himself and taking them to fighting fame.

But Ted has been struggling with Pop’s decisions to keep him in the middleweight world, when he wants to strive for the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, his father has been working hard and is fighting his way back to glory.

At the possibility of a Taylor vs Taylor fight, the promoters are champing at the bit to get them in the ring together. They know the fans will eat it up.

As Ted’s personal life is imploding, his boxing career has the possibility of skyrocketing. There are debts to pay, but what about the price his body and brain are paying in every fight?

Guilt consumes him from his teens, which rises up when he isn’t totally focussed on his training. Caught between these emotions of anger, guilt, and committing to a new relationship, Ted must make the decision of his life.

Intergenerational trauma, memory and ultimately a showdown waiting in the wings drives this story.

Ted Taylor hates the memories of his violent father but excels in the boxing ring under his grandfather’s training. These constant connections to family (no matter how dysfunctional) fuel both anger, resentment and love throughout the novel.

Tension rises as Ted moves from middleweight to heavyweight divisions and greedy promoters do everything they can to get Ted and his father in the ring against each other.

There is much at stake, and Covid restrictions hinder and increase tension in equal measure. Boxing fan or not, I was ‘on the edge of my seat’ at the side of  the boxing ring in each fight portrayed in this novel – caught between wanting a win, and wanting Ted to step away from the sport that could ultimately kill him.

Author – Daniel Tamone

Age – 16+ – Adult

(2024, Action, Bullies, Conflict, Family, Love, Boxing, Boxing ring, Father Son relationships, Toxic masculinity, Domestic Violence, Fighting, Deals, Gambling Debts, Injury, Brain injuries, Punching, Anger, Emotions)