Jack Allen

Jack Allen was born in Weston Super Mare but grew up and was educated in Bristol, England. After training to be a teacher, he embarked on a career as a professional rugby league player with Barrow in Furness. A severe injury led to early retirement and a brief career as a standup comedian before becoming a teacher.

He worked in a unit for pupils with behavioural problems—eventually becoming the Head. He started writing and wrote 'Jangles', a youth drama series for ITV, which was nominated for the Prix Jeunesse.

He's always had a passionate interest in boxing. He saw his first fight in the Winter Gardens in Weston when Jackie Turpin fought the same night brother Randolph won the European middleweight title in Rome.

Jack also wrote 'The Bristol Boys', the untold story of Bristol's world bare-fisted boxing champions. He's also written a black, anarchic comic novel, 'When The Whistle Blows' which received high critical acclaim.

Pugilistica 54 was written as a tribute to all those brave fighters of yesteryear, today, and those still to come.