Johnny Owen

In 1980, Johnny Owen held the Welsh, British, European and Commonwealth bantamweight titles. Nicknamed 'the Matchstick Man' because of the extraordinary skeletal physique which belied his stamina and aggression, Johnny was hugely popular. With his old-fashioned fighting style, honesty and charm, he was Merthyr Tydfil's and Wales's great white hope, something to cheer about in an increasingly uncertain world and a climate of industrial decline. In the autumn of that year, Johnny made his bid for the World Championship, flying to Los Angeles to fight the skilful, arrogant champion, Lupe Pintor of Mexico. Most pundits considered Pintor unbeatable and Owen out of his depth. Many openly feared for his life, citing his emaciated body and slow mind in comparison with the powerful, lightning-quick Mexican. The odds and the crowd were stacked in favour of Pintor, but Owen had his father in his corner as his trainer, and he would produce one of the most courageous displays of bantamweight boxing ever witnessed - one that was bound to end in tragic circumstances. Owen was knocked out in the twelfth round of the epic bout. He never regained consciousness and died in hospital 46 days later.Written in conjunction with his father, his family and his manager, Johnny Owen is the first biography of a unique, popular and brave boxer.