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Box to Box: From the Premier League to British Boxing Champion Hardcover – 6 Oct. 2016
'As brutally honest as it is gripping, amusing and illuminating' Donald McRae
'A pulsating page-turner of a book' Mail on Sunday
The football world is filled with stories of talented young footballers who have thrown it all away before drifting into obscurity. Similarly, the tale of an ageing boxer who won the title against the odds is so familiar it has become a cliche. But put the two stories together and you've got something special: wasted footballers simply don't become boxing champions - at least they didn't before Curtis Woodhouse.
Woodhouse had been destined for greatness. At the age of 17 he made his debut for his local club, Sheffield United, and quickly went from earning £42 a week to £4000 a week. Suddenly he felt like a rock star, and began living like one - which didn't help his football. Initially, there wasn't a problem, and he earned four England Under-21 caps, playing alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. As his drinking increased and he began getting involved in fights, he was sold to Birmingham City at 20 and saw his wages double - but so did his problems. After a brawl, he was sentenced to 250 hours' community service, and when he finally reached the Premier League he ended up playing against Liverpool while still drunk. He'd fallen out of love with the game. After another transfer, manager Barry Fry suggested he take up boxing to provide an outlet for his anger, and a new passion was born.
While still playing football, he became determined to make it as a boxer, and endured a long, hard battle to develop the skills to give him a chance, and in September 2006 he made his professional debut. With his father on his deathbed, Woodhouse made a promise: he would win a British title. On 22 February 2014, he got his chance against Darren Hamilton - 'I knew I wouldn't lose.' Packed with brilliant stories and searingly honest insight, Box to Box shows how anyone can achieve their dreams - if they work hard enough.
'This tale...will have you teary one moment and in fits of laughter the next. A must read' Daily Star
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSimon & Schuster UK
- Publication date6 Oct. 2016
- Dimensions24.2 x 2.9 x 16.4 cm
- ISBN-10147114772X
- ISBN-13978-1471147722
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Review
'A pulsating page-turner of a book' -- Joe Bernstein ― Mail on Sunday
'Incredible story. So few brutally honest books like this around. Inspirational stuff.' -- Adrian Durham
Curtis Woodhouse is one of the most compelling and funniest sportsmen I have ever met. He brings the contrasting worlds of professional football and boxing to life - in a way that is as brutally honest as it is gripping, amusing and illuminating. Woodhouse, in the company of his skilled co-writer Ben Dirs, has produced a riveting read. If you’re interested in football, boxing or, most of all, real life, Box to Box will draw you in and keep you hooked. -- Donald McRae ― Author of the award-winning Dark Trade and In Black & White
'This tale...will have you teary one moment and in fits of laughter the next. A must read for those who love football and boxing, or both.' -- Chris McKenna ― Daily Star
'This car-crash tale ... is littered with anecdotes and insights that bring the dressing rooms of football and boxing to life, while leaving you saluting the withering wit and streetwise sagacity of a man who found the courage to chase his dream when others believed he was already living it... Whether you are in the mood to laugh or to cry, read this and do both... The mood changes from chapter to chapter, reflecting the compelling, conflicting character of the man himself. And as you turn the last page, you hanker after sharing a pint with him, knowing it could get messy…' -- Mike Costello
'Great lad, great book' -- Robbie Savage
'An astonishing story and a fantastic read' -- Darren Fletcher ― BBC Radio 5 Live
'Highly recommended' -- Boxing News
'A crazy journey and a great read' -- Gareth A. Davies ― Daily Telegraph
'Brutally honest...One of the most explicit sporting books you will ever read' -- Alan Biggs ― Sheffield Star
'An explosive tale of one of the most remarkable careers ever seen in British sport. Woodhouse's life story is Hollywood material.' -- Hull Daily Mail
‘An uncompromising account’ ― Metro
‘A brilliant book’ ― Boxing News
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Product details
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK (6 Oct. 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 147114772X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1471147722
- Dimensions : 24.2 x 2.9 x 16.4 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 459,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 201 in Premier League Football
- 244 in English Football Association
- 343 in Boxer Biographies
- Customer reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the writing style well-written and easy to read. They also describe the book as a great read with entertaining issues. Readers also find the personal content refreshingly honest.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book very entertaining, with funny bits among the trails and tribulations. They also say the issues are entertaining but sad.
"...Very entertaining though probably not everyone's cup of tea...." Read more
"...Interesting, funny and, most importantly, I didn't get the feeling he was chatting bollocks." Read more
"...A great read and a million miles away from your normal footballers piss-boring autobiographical tome" Read more
"...Overall a very good read; lots of great stories, both sad and hilarious." Read more
Customers find the personal content refreshingly honest and down to earth. They also say it's a must read for anyone who loves sports.
"...I didn't really and cant claim to now but I can say I loved reading his honest narrative on life, and found myself sharing an awful lot of sentiment..." Read more
"One of the best sports autobiographies I've read and I've read an awful lot of them...." Read more
"...Overall a very good read; lots of great stories, both sad and hilarious." Read more
"Easy read. Ben Dirs is one of the better ones for my money. Very honest...." Read more
Customers find the writing style of the book well written, easy to read, and interesting.
"...Great read." Read more
"...Overall a very good read; lots of great stories, both sad and hilarious." Read more
"Easy read. Ben Dirs is one of the better ones for my money. Very honest...." Read more
"...Great write up." Read more
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The football man in me loved the anecdotes from the dressing room and being in and around the game day to day. I've never been a pro but been around the game a lot and I love reading about players, managers, backroom staff, tea ladies...and the last 30 years has seen that change so much that today's footballers won't have stories half as interesting to tell. From his early days pretending to be John Barnes on his estate and literally living and breathing football to his experiences in the Premier League and back down to non league football, if you love the game like I do you'll love all that.
The daft young lad in me loved reading about his epic benders, his scrapes with just about everyone including team mates, managers, punters, coppers...everyone really. Very entertaining though probably not everyone's cup of tea.
The coach in me loved reading his views on the game, the stuff he values in players and the ideas he has about coaching, building teams and how to get success. Also the lessons transferred from boxing, the real world values he holds dear and the single minded determination he has.
The boxing fan in me loved the detail behind his journey from freak show to British Champion. The hard work, knock backs, the corruption in the game, the money or lack of, the people who mattered on that journey and ultimately the redemption and joy of winning that Lonsdale belt. I will never forget jumping around my living room when he got the verdict that night like a madman - incredible. So to hear how he felt about it is worth reading.
The father, husband and son in me enjoyed it most though - he endured some tough times the like of which I've certainly never known anything like. I've known a few loose cannons but Woodhouse is right up there but you understand some of the backdrop and it makes a bit more sense, though he's brutally honest and holds himself accountable rather than looking for sympathy which I like. His relationship with his father particularly is tough to read about but his love and admiration for the man shines through despite it all. But what I liked most was what he writes about his kids and his wife. The debt he owes them for making him a better man and I think most fathers and husbands can relate to that. The softer side is there despite the bravado and alpha male exterior. He's pretty self depreciating at times and aware of his own faults despite having a steadfast belief in himself.
I've crossed paths with quite a few names mentioned in the book and to be honest I thought I understood the man to some degree. I didn't really and cant claim to now but I can say I loved reading his honest narrative on life, and found myself sharing an awful lot of sentiment with him.
Great read.
I remember Curtis playing against my team Charlton and having a brilliant game. At the time Sheffield United were always a horrible side to play against and Curtis definitely to my eyes had bought into what they were about. He did have a remarkable first touch and eye for not giving the ball away.
I also vaguely recall stories of him being involved in bother but not to the extremes he describes in this story.
I absolutely understand and salute his desire and work ethic as well as his honesty.
He featured on my boxing radar before the Frankie Gavin fight when his obvious lack of desire to speak about his time at Birmingham and not taking the bait from Frankie Gavin or Anthony Farnell. And he gave Frankie Gavin the hardest fight anyone had at that point of Frankies career. I didn't think in a million years he would beat Hamilton but reading this story it was abundantly clear. I've always had time and respect for Dave Coldwell and Curtis has cemented it here.
A great read and a million miles away from your normal footballers piss-boring autobiographical tome
He gives a quite damning insight into the going on behind the scenes and there's a real 'warts 'n' all' aspect to it. Again, in other books I always feel like you're getting a slightly toned down version of events where as here he tells it as it was, some of which is quite shocking and perhpas reflects quite poorly on many pro footballers at the time.
He also explores a lot about the mental aspects of both boxing and football which often the public don't get to see/appreciate.
Overall a very good read; lots of great stories, both sad and hilarious.