I Fought Them All: The Life and Ring Battles of Prizefighting Legend Tom Sharkey

In the 1890s the fight game was changing.
The prize-fighters and bare-knuckle brawlers were disappearing as the new "scientific" boxers emerged to fight under the Marquis of Queensberry rules.
Irishman Tom Sharkey was the never-say-die fighter who bridged the gap between old and new.
Within a short time of arriving in America he took on all the top boxers of his day: his hero John L Sullivan, Gentleman Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons and the man who would become not only his greatest foe but his best friend, Jim Jeffries.
Their 25-round world title fight at Coney Island was one of the most gruelling and compelling encounters ever seen inside a ring.
I Fought Them All prints the fact and the legend, and is chocked full of the rich characters who dominated the sport and politics of the period, from Wild West gunman Wyatt Earp to Tim "Dry Dollar" Sullivan of New York's Tammany Hall.
It is the story of an Irish immigrant, a sporting celebrity who won and lost a fortune, and of a man described by the New York Times as a "ring immortal".

WINNER: Wishing Shelf Adult Non-Fiction Award 2011

"Hugely entertaining and exquisitely researched... It's a great contribution to ring history." --Pete Ehrmann, boxing writer, contributor to The Ring

"I Fought Them All is an excellent read. It's well-researched and is good news for boxing fans everywhere." --Tracy Callis, International Boxing Research Organisation

"It emits quality from the first opening crack of the hard cover until its final satisfying closing." --Marty Mulcahey, Max Boxing

"Gun-slingers, shipwrecks, tragic love stories, gambling, acts of heroism and, of course, gruelling fights. I thoroughly recommend this book."
--Glenn Wilson, Cyber Boxing Zone

“A frank, in-depth study spotlighting a forgotten hero of the boxing world.”
--Judges, Wishing Shelf Adult Non-Fiction Award 2011