The Big If: The Life and Death of Johnny Owen - Softcover

Broadbent, Rick

4.71

34 ratings by Goodreads

9780330443340: The Big If: The Life and Death of Johnny Owen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330443348 ISBN 13: 9780330443340

Publisher: Pan Books, 2007

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The Big If is the story of how two boxers grew up thousands of miles apart and came together for one apocalyptic night that would have seismic consequences for everyone who knew them. Johnny Owen (the Matchstick Man from Wales) and Lupe Pintor (El Indio from Mexico) met for less than sixty minutes on September 19, 1980. It was Owen's chance to become the world bantamweight champion, but the Matchstick Man was knocked out in the 12th round. He spent 46 days in a coma before he died.

The parallel lives of Owen and Pintor form the heart of an incredible story. Johnny had a hard but loving childhood as he shared a three-bedroom council house in Merthyr Tydfil with his parents and seven siblings. Pintor was beaten by his father as a boy and ran away from home at the age of eight. For a while he lived on the mean streets of Mexico City, selling ice to pay for scraps of food. When older boys began to pick on him and steal his wares, he learnt to use his fists.

Extensive interviews with the Owen and Pintor families have resulted in a moving, visceral book with enormous appeal beyond the boxing ring. Despite its running theme of loss, The Big If is ultimately an uplifting story of forgiveness and how the human spirit can overcome the most terrible troubles.

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Review:

'A story of terrible loss, hope and ultimately forgiveness, The Big If is a welcome addition to boxing’s canon.' -- The Independent -Sports Book of the Week

'Affectionate and enthusiastic...an engrossing documentary that also touches on deeper questions of circumstance, fate and bravery.' -- The Independent -Sports Book of the Week

'Broadbent has delved deeply into Owen’s Welsh roots and presents a lively portrayal of a close-knit family and community' -- The Times

'The Big If is a cut above most sporting biographies, better written and better researched' -- The Times

'it is the warmth of fellowship of the boxing fraternity that shines through' -- The Times

Book Description:

The riveting story of one of Wales’ greatest sporting heroes

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