Hats, Handwraps and Headaches

A Life on the Inside of Boxing

Paddy Simpson

• Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• eBook ISBN:
  9781785317101
• Year: 2020

Hats, Handwraps and Headaches is the inspiring, surprising and sometimes shocking story of Irish boxing coach Paddy Fitzpatrick, a failed pro boxer who was almost a Foreign Legionary before finding fame as a trainer of world-class fighters. After struggling as a young adult with thoughts of suicide, Paddy's life was transformed by a chance meeting with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Paddy moved to LA to learn his trade at Roach's Wild Card gym, working with the likes of world champions James Toney and Laila Ali, and spending time with Laila's legendary father Muhammad Ali. Back in England, Paddy used the things he had learnt to take George Groves to three world title fights, including the return super-fight with Carl Froch, which drew 80,000 fans to Wembley Stadium. Filled with astonishing anecdotes - like the time Paddy was almost shot by an irate boxer and a near-miss with a grizzly bear - Hats, Handwraps and Headaches is funny and poignant in equal measure, with riveting tales from both sides of the Atlantic.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• 1. It’s Over – August 2015
• 2. Paddy
• 3. Before Professional Boxing Takes Hold
• 4. El Novio de la Muerte?
• 5. Freddie Roach and Santa’s Grotto
• 6. ‘Saint’ George Groves
• 7. Living and Breathing Boxing in LA
• 8. ‘Have a Lights Out Day, Baby!’
• 9. Froch v Groves I
• 10. Crashing Freddie’s Car – LA Style!
• 11. Froch v Groves I – a loss turns to a victory
• 12. Losing Freddie’s Car – LA Style!
• 13. Froch v Groves – Getting the Rematch
• 14. ‘Wartime’ – Vatche Wartanian
• 15. Froch v Groves II
• 16. Fighting Females
• 17. Building back to the top: A visit to GGG
• 18. ‘I don’t want an easy fight’
• 19. Vegas Baby!
• 20. Time To Go – Leaving George
• 21. A Million Miles an Hour
• 22. The Title That Wasn’t a Title
• 23. Putting the Peanuts back in their Shells
• 24. The Irish Jake La Motta
• 25. Fight Town
• 26. Final Thoughts
• Photos