Merrion Press ðŸ”–has just published a new book by Dave Hannigan.

 

COMING SOON

 

THE BIG FIGHT
When Ali Conquered Ireland

Dave Hannigan


The thrilling story of Muhammad Ali’s 1972 visit to Dublin, told through interviews with dozens of those Ali met over the course of those seven unforgettable days.

On a balmy July evening in 1972, to the sound of The Dubliners, Muhammad Ali climbed through the ropes to fight Al ‘Blue’ Lewis at Croke Park. The most famous athlete in the world had somehow been inveigled to Ireland by Butty Sugrue, a charismatic entrepreneur who was ridiculed for trying to do the impossible right up to the moment Ali and his entourage touched down at Dublin Airport. And so began a week of the most glorious mayhem, as ‘the Champ’ charmed the Irish people.

Ali could be found jogging along Wicklow lanes, strolling into The Old Stand pub, chatting with street cleaners, and paying an early morning visit to the GPO to receive a history lesson about the Easter Rising. No matter where he fetched up, wonderful chaos ensued. Traffic stopped. Crowds gathered. The greatest show on earth had come to town.

Through interviews with dozens of those Ali met and worked with over the course of those seven unforgettable days, Dave Hannigan has pieced together an enthralling narrative of one of the most unique events in Irish sporting history.

Paperback • €18.99|£17.99 • 256 pages • 226mm x 153mm • 9781785375460

On sale March 13

 

Out Now 📚 Dave Hannigan

Merrion Press ðŸ”–has just published a new book by Dave Hannigan.

 

COMING SOON

 

THE BIG FIGHT
When Ali Conquered Ireland

Dave Hannigan


The thrilling story of Muhammad Ali’s 1972 visit to Dublin, told through interviews with dozens of those Ali met over the course of those seven unforgettable days.

On a balmy July evening in 1972, to the sound of The Dubliners, Muhammad Ali climbed through the ropes to fight Al ‘Blue’ Lewis at Croke Park. The most famous athlete in the world had somehow been inveigled to Ireland by Butty Sugrue, a charismatic entrepreneur who was ridiculed for trying to do the impossible right up to the moment Ali and his entourage touched down at Dublin Airport. And so began a week of the most glorious mayhem, as ‘the Champ’ charmed the Irish people.

Ali could be found jogging along Wicklow lanes, strolling into The Old Stand pub, chatting with street cleaners, and paying an early morning visit to the GPO to receive a history lesson about the Easter Rising. No matter where he fetched up, wonderful chaos ensued. Traffic stopped. Crowds gathered. The greatest show on earth had come to town.

Through interviews with dozens of those Ali met and worked with over the course of those seven unforgettable days, Dave Hannigan has pieced together an enthralling narrative of one of the most unique events in Irish sporting history.

Paperback • €18.99|£17.99 • 256 pages • 226mm x 153mm • 9781785375460

On sale March 13

 

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