Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward

Not being a huge fan of boxing I wasn't sure what to expect. This book is about so much more than boxing! Irish Thunder really shows the dedication and hard work that Micky Ward used to overcome his surroundings. Just when you thought it was his turn to succeed he had to overcome another obsticle. It really is the Rudy of the boxing world. Great read now I can't wait to read the author's other book Destiny Derailed.

Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward is a great biography of the blue collar boxer from Lowell, MA. Bob Halloran does an excellent job chronicling Micky's career and the trials and tribulations he faced to get there. Right from the beginning, Bob illustrates the vision of Lowell, a once proud boxing town that had become a haven for decadence and despair. Although Micky would fall not victim to the drugs that had claimed many before him, the obstacles presented to him were constant whether it was injured hands, his family, bad management, big fights falling through, or his own self confidence. The fact that Micky persevered to become a popular and well respected boxer personifies his character. Halloran gives you a rundown of his fights throughout the book and his vivid recollections of Micky's wars with Arturo Gatti, Emanuel Burton, Reggie Green, and others make you feel like you're watching the fight as it happens. However, what really keeps the reader glued to this book is the behind the scenes drama. And as it often goes with money, the more there is to be made, the more drama comes with it. Most of the fight facts and recaps are accurate with the only obvious mistake being that Pernell Whitaker won a decision over Oscar De La Hoya, when in fact it was the other way around. All told, this is a well written biography and I would recommend this to any boxing fan.

Other than Jack Kerouac and a few other Lowell greats I'm probably missing, Micky Ward is Lowell's pride. The book is an excellent read only because Micky's life-story is so remarkable and inspiring, other than that Bob Halloran's writing style is bleak. Micky Ward grew up when Lowell was tougher than it is today--UMass Lowell has brought so much money into the city it's been on the up-and-up since 1992--where his half-brother/trainer is a crack addict, his dad did hard time for defrauding old ladies in his roofing business and yet Micky even steered clear of marijuana while staying on his sworn path of becoming a champion boxer. Throughout his boxing career, he maintained a modest career paving roads for the city of Lowell and to my knowledge is still doing it to this day, he's only 42. Micky Ward is an honest man and a working class hero, and that's why so many people love him--"The Warrior's Code" the album by the Dropkick Murphys is about Micky Ward and "The Fighter" is a movie about him starring Mark Wahlberg and Brad Pitt to be released in 2009. This book is highly recommended, and will hopefully inspire you to hit the gym and work as hard as Micky did.

This is probably one of the best books ever written describing the life and hard times of any fighter from a non-boxing-fan perspective. Not being an avid reader, I was unable to put the book down. Enjoyed it but left feeling with a heavy heart for the folks that endure so much in this industry.

Bob Halloran has captured the essence of a rags to riches boxer. You don't need to be a fan of boxing though to enjoy this fast paced story. It has all the makings of chasing the American dream by a young man who has been down but not out. I think anyone who wants to read a feel good story will enjoy Bob Halloran's tale. He keeps you hanging on every jab Mickey gives and takes throughout his life.