THE PROFESSION OF VIOLENCE

Pitch Publishing is a fantastic imprint.
They do all the great Got, Not Got series
and plenty of other retro sports titles.

James Brown, The Late Tackle, talkSPORT

Pitch Publishing show the way for enterprising
sports book publishers and remains a beacon
of hope for sports authors aspiring or established.

The Sports Bookshelf.com

Pitch Publishing, an outfit whose "pitch perfect"
commissioning of boxing material stands
as a rebuke to more established houses

Boxing Monthly

Pitch capture the real spirit of sport with entertaining
and clever ideas. They work out what the aficionado
would want to read, then deliver it with great verve.

Paul Hayward, The Daily Telegraph

Pitch have enabled me to write in the ways I enjoy most.
Their production support is superb, delivering eye-catching
designs, attentive proof-reading, energetic marketing and helpful advice.

Tim Quelch, Good Old Sussex by the Sea, Orient to the Emirates, Underdog!

Pitch are willing to back out-of-the-blue and innovative
ideas and turn them into viable, entertaining books.
They do so with great presentation and editorial flair.

Justin Parkinson, Then Came Massacre

Pitch saw the potential in my story, used their expertise
to polish it, published it and helped inspire thousands
around the world to get into the sport of triathlon.

Andy Holgate, Can’t Swim, Can’t Ride, Can’t Run & Can't Sleep, Can't Train, Can't Stop

The process of working with Pitch to produce Picking up the Threads
was enjoyable and rewarding, with the final edition surpassing
expectations and becoming a resounding success.

John Chandler, Picking up the Threads

Pitch will take a chance on books that other publishers won't
and realise that interest in football extends beyond the
Premier League and the top 20 countries in the FIFA rankings.

Steve Menary, Outcasts!

Pitch have the vision to look beyond the obvious,
seeking out interesting ideas and subjects and
matching them with the right target audience.

David Tossell, Tony Greig, The Great English Final, Grovel!, Natural

Pitch have been an absolute joy to work with,
contributing their passion, expertise, knowledge
and experience to help produce a brilliant book.

Sam Pilger, Ashes Match of My Life

Pitch took our original concept and further enhanced it,
using their knowledge, experience and expertise, and helped
make Got, Not Got one of the football books of the year for 2011.

Derek Hammond, Got, Not Got series of books

Pitch bought into the concept of development through football,
channeling profits and proceeds from Eleven into helping
some of the most disadvantaged young people in the world.

Steve Fleming, Eleven

In the highly competitive world of sport publishing,
Pitch have consistently demonstrated the happy
knack of spotting, nurturing and promoting winners.

Neil Dunkin, Anfield of Dreams

25 Oct

THE PROFESSION OF VIOLENCE

Into the Woods provides a sharp insight into the true motivations of fighting men. Rather than dealing in cliche, hype or the myth of the 'noble art', former world light heavyweight champion, Clinton Woods, lays bare the culture that surrounds his sport.

From meagre beginnings in a large family, on Sheffield estates decimated by Margaret Thatcher's attacks on the steel industry, to booze, drugs and tussles with the law, Woods had chaotic and bloodstained origins. Having boxed as a junior, he returned to the ring in his 20s, seeking change. On a pro journey that eventually saw him trade blows with Roy Jones Jr, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver, he confounded naysayers to win every title from domestic to world level. Along the way, he mixed with some of the most fascinating characters of his era.

Woods's integrity, honesty and refusal to surrender forged his success. Seven years into his retirement, he has time to reflect. Into the Woods asks whether those who come from violence can ever really leave it behind.

Into the Woods is the definitive story of a life turned around through sport. Read the fast-paced and searingly honest autobiography of the former world light heavyweight champion, and discover how Clinton Woods:

Emerged from humble origins to enjoy junior boxing success – only to quit the sport aged 16
Became a father while still a teenager, as booze, drugs and street fighting soon saw him in serious trouble with the law
Ran out of options and returned to the ring at 22, managed by the shrewd Dennis Hobson and trained by renowned hard-man, Neil Port
Defied all expectation in a 48-fight professional career, going on to win every title from area to world level, mixing with the likes of Roy Jones Jr, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver
Was regarded for a time in 2006 as the world's genuine, no.1 light-heavyweight
Finally left behind the chaos of his former life, thanks to the success and achievements of his pro career

Click here for more information, or to read a sample from Into the Woods.

Mark Turley is the acclaimed author of Redemption with John McAvoy – now long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2017. His books include Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business; Wiped Out?: The Jerome Wilson Story; From Nuremberg to Nineveh and The Rainbowmaker. Turley has written for the Telegraph, FHM, Boxing News and many other publications. He has guested on national TV and radio. His work was also nominated for the William Hill prize in 2015 and named among the Guardian’s best sporting books of that year.