The Knockout - by Andy Clarke (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Swift, brutal and utterly final: with knockouts, there are no grey areas; a KO is a KO. But what actually is a knockout, and why are we so fascinated by it?

The Knockout is the most dramatic and devastating moment in sport. There is nothing to rival it: not the last-second goal, not the basket on the buzzer, not the putt that drops on the eighteenth green. In terms of its brutality and finality, it stands alone. It's a bolt of lightning; fascinating and frightening; a shot of pure adrenaline that only the very rarest moments can provide. This book examines what it's like for the people at the centre of that storm.

How does it feel to land that ultimate blow? How does it feel to suffer it? The Knockout assesses the impact it has on the fighters and the people close to it and asks what it takes mentally, physically and emotionally for a person to enter into an arena where the stakes are so unimaginably high. Agony and ecstasy, triumph and disaster, hope and despair, self-belief and doubt, The Knockout embraces it all, with interviews and insight from the following boxing insiders and experts:

Boxers: Carl Froch, Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Tony Bellew, Amir Khan, Deontay Wilder, Jamie Moore, Matthew Macklin, Johnny Nelson, Anthony Yarde, Scott Welch, Fabio Wardley, Karriss Artingstall, Lauren Price, Spencer Oliver, Anthony Crolla
Trainers: Teddy Atlas, Billy Graham, Peter Fury, Dave Coldwell, Joe Gallagher, Mark Seltzer
Referees: Kenny Bayless, Marcus McDonnell, Charlie Fitch, Victor Loughlin
Promoters: Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn
Observers: Steve Bunce, Thomas Hauser, Tris Dixon, Dr Neil Scott, Sara Chenery

Part macro, part micro exploration, the narrative will move across the physical, psychological, social and even philosophical aspects of the knockout. With insights from renowned commentators, as well as fighters, their coaches, doctors and family members, this is a complete look at the finishing blow that brings any match to a sudden close, and the repercussions that follow.

Featuring extensive coverage of Froch vs Groves II, the epic rematch that saw Carl Froch knock out George Groves with what proved to be the final punch of his career and close the book on their bitter rivalry, The Knockout goes deeper into the phenomenon than ever seen before and explores the idea of male vulnerability and the delicate nature of many boxers, particularly pronounced once they have experienced a knockout.

Review Quotes

"A well-researched study, built on interviews from fighters and medical experts, of the boxing KO."

--Declan Ryan, The Telegraph 'Best Sports Books of 2024'

"A thoughtful book that encourages readers to think more deeply about boxing's most violent spectacle"

--Thomas Hauser, The Sweet Science

"Clarke's work as a broadcaster and commentator, covering the sport now for over 20 years, is infused with passion, intelligence and commendable insight. Those attributes he has brought to bear in the pages of his recently published book on the sport...Not only does Clarke go deep into every aspect of this "controversial to some -- exciting to others" event in all of sports, he leads the reader on an entertaining journey back in time to some of the most iconic fights of the modern age."

--John Wight, Morning Star

"The knockout is the ultimate way of victory when it comes to boxing. Nothing else even comes close. What Andy has captured in this book is everything great about it."

--Tony Bellew, former WBC World Cruiserweight champion

"Andy Clarke goes in search of the knockout - he talks to boxers about landing a knockout punch and being knocked out. The book delivers the knockout."
--Steve Bunce

"As fighters we love and hate the Knockout. We crave it and fear it and you have to make that fear your friend. That's the truth and this book gives it to you."
--Johnny Nelson, former WBO World Cruiserweight champion

"I love the knockout, the big finish. I love how conclusive it is. It settles the argument once and for all. This book took me back to those massive moments in my career."
--Carl Froch, three-time world Super Middleweight champion

About the Author

After graduating from King's College, Cambridge with a degree in Classics, Andy Clarke took an interesting route from the study of ancient art and literature to sports broadcasting with a focus on boxing. He did it the traditional way learning the ropes in radio at Talksport before moving to TV where he's now lead boxing commentator at Sky Sports after also working for the likes of the BBC, Channel 5 and ESPN amongst many others in over twenty years in the industry.