The Fighting Irish

The French have their flamboyance, the Germans efficiency, but no one likes a scrap quite like the Irish.

It's hardly surprising, then, that the boxer should become a source of national pride, not least for those people forced through famine to seek a new life in the new world.

John Morrissey, Yankee Sullivan, John C Heenan and Paddy Ryan paved the way for the sport's first superstar, John L Sullivan.

His boast that he could 'lick any son of a bitch in the house' tapped into the mood of a people fighting for their place in America's melting pot of immigrants.

From the brazen Boston Strong Boy to Gentleman Jim Corbett, legend of the 'Roaring '20s' Jack Dempsey through to James J Braddock, who fought his way from the welfare queue to the heavyweight championship of the world, satisfaction was guaranteed.

The "Fighting Irish" also looks at that glorious era of ethnic match-ups when Irishman and Jew traded blows; at racism and the search for the Great White Hope; fighters who united the most divided of communities; and the ultimate price paid by some in the pursuit of ring glory.

It's a roller-coaster ride of pride and passion, raw courage and sublime skill. McLarnin, McGuigan, McAuliffe, McCullough, Corbett, Cooney, Conn, Monaghan and Micky Ward - each distinctive, yet linked by the Celtic warrior culture.

The "Fighting Irish" is the ultimate tale of trial and tribulation.