THE ROCHDALE THUNDERBOLT A Story of Triumph and Tragedy

Hardback. PRESENTATION COPY. The story of Jock McAvoy. During the 1930s the 'Rochdale Thunderbolt' thrilled the sporting world with his tremendous punching power, fierce competitiveness and animal-like aggression within the roped square, becoming a household name as he carried all before him, winning British and Empire titles, and sensationally knocking out World Champion Eddie Babe Risko in one round in New York in 1935. But though a hero in the ring, McAvoy was very much the villain in a private life littered with broken marriages, violence and numerous court appearances. The controversy that would dog him throughout his life began with the mystery surrounding his birth as Joseph Bamford, in 1907, in Burnley, Lancashire, and would continue even after his death. The author explores in depth the mind and character of this enigmatic giant of the ring, whose rise from poverty and obscurity in the Rochdale of the 1920s to great fame, and a fortune he saw very little of, makes fascinating reading. Following his stunning knockout of Babe Risko, McAvoy had every right to a shot at the World Title, but Risko's people, believed to be controlled by gangsters, turned a deaf ear. In investigating the alleged underworld connection, the author has succeeded in establishing a clear link between Risko's handlers and notorious Mafia mobster, Frankie Carbo, a triggerman for Murder Inc. and the shadowy figure behind Jim Norris's International Boxing Club, a monopoly that was finally broken in the early 60s. Ending his career in 1945, again in controversial circumstances, McAvoy never seemed to be out of trouble of one sort or another, and in 1947 was struck down by the dreaded polio, which took away the use of his legs. Throughout his life Mac's two greatest failings, his womanising and his explosive temper were at the root of most of his problems and certainly undermined not only his three marriages, but also many close friendships. The final curtain came down in November 1971, when the old champion, desperately unhappy and subject to recurring fits of depression, died alone in tragic and dramatic circumstances. Illus., Jock McAvoy's Record, Selected Bibliog. and Index. 321pp. 8vo. h/back. From the library of former Det. Chief Supt. Leonard 'Nipper' Read. PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR to 'Nipper' Read. F. in Vg. dw.