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The Champ & The Chump: A heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family
THE CHAMP
Terry Downes - the charismatic cockney known as 'The Paddington Express' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters' favourite and later a film star and businessman.
THE CHUMP
James McNicholas' PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he'd be dead by the time he was 23.
James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant stints as a car park caretaker and river cruise salesperson. After Terry's death, James finds himself in reflective mood, comparing his story of underachievement against that of his world champ grandad. What follows is an increasingly colourful journey through post-war Paddington to the blood-soaked canvases of Baltimore and Shoreditch, via Mayfair parties with the Krays.
Along the way, James begins to dig into his own story, confronting the dysfunctional elements of his childhood, describing his often hilarious efforts to make it in the world of showbiz, and attempting to recreate Terry's trials by enlisting in a brutal military boot camp and boxing gym. When James is diagnosed with a frightening and mysterious neurological condition, the two tales of the fighter and the writer suddenly collide, and what began as a nostalgic journey takes on a far more important significance altogether.
Terry Downes - the charismatic cockney known as 'The Paddington Express' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters' favourite and later a film star and businessman.
THE CHUMP
James McNicholas' PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he'd be dead by the time he was 23.
James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant stints as a car park caretaker and river cruise salesperson. After Terry's death, James finds himself in reflective mood, comparing his story of underachievement against that of his world champ grandad. What follows is an increasingly colourful journey through post-war Paddington to the blood-soaked canvases of Baltimore and Shoreditch, via Mayfair parties with the Krays.
Along the way, James begins to dig into his own story, confronting the dysfunctional elements of his childhood, describing his often hilarious efforts to make it in the world of showbiz, and attempting to recreate Terry's trials by enlisting in a brutal military boot camp and boxing gym. When James is diagnosed with a frightening and mysterious neurological condition, the two tales of the fighter and the writer suddenly collide, and what began as a nostalgic journey takes on a far more important significance altogether.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
11 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 2, 2021
A joy to read on many levels. First, I'm an avid Arsenal fan and love listening to Andrew and James on the Arsecast each week. Second, James is very funny - I'd read about his stand-up gigs and tours, plus his improv wit on the Arsecast always makes me laugh - so I was looking forward to its translation on the page. Third, James narrates the audiobook. Last, it's a wonderful testament to his grandfather. I only wish that I would have had the time and wherewithal to trace my grandfather's life as James has. The "Champ" of the title refers to James' grandfather, Teddy Downes, who becomes the middleweight boxing champion of the world, a minor celebrity, and successful businessman, the true patriarch of James' family. His story is quite compelling, loaded with humor, tragedy, and grit (James extols the virtues of the boxing narrative at the beginning of the book). While I enjoyed Terry's story, I was fascinated with James'. In his typical self-deprecating way, James laughs off his lack of agility and mental toughness, his privileged - compared to Terry's - upbringing, the stops and starts in his career as an actor. The juxtaposition of his life against his grandfather's is quite amusing, but what emerges is much more serious - battles with chronic illness and depression, troubles in his marriage, a history of family alcoholism. James battles, and shows the grit, over time, and in his own way, and that becomes a compelling metaphor for his story: that we're all battling in some way, most of us just don't show it.
The Champ and The Chump is well-written and peppered with witticisms. It's the story of two different individuals in two totally different contexts, though what remains between them is both surprising and affirming.
The Champ and The Chump is well-written and peppered with witticisms. It's the story of two different individuals in two totally different contexts, though what remains between them is both surprising and affirming.
November 18, 2022
I have always enjoyed listening to James on his podcast and I was unfortunately unable to make his show in London...because I live in the United States. So I was pretty happy to see he wrote a book about it. This book was very touching and I could empathize with James quite a bit as we happen to be close in age. James does a nice of job of formatting the book, being serious, while also throwing in a few jokes along the way. #COYG
September 14, 2021
This is a very moving, honest and amusing book comparing the lives of two male family members, who on the face of it seem different, but actually are quite similar. I know McNicholas is a talented scribe from his sports writing at The Athletic and I now know that he possesses a deft comic touch too with his reflection on the life of his world champion boxing grandfather Terry and his own rollercoaster life an absorbing read. There is a real disconnect between the post WWII generation and those who came after currently and this book would really help both see the world in a brighter, better way.
September 24, 2021
I cannot recommend this book enough. Funny, poignant, sad, scary. Like a great fight, or comedy show, it has it all.
April 20, 2022
Interesting
Having listened to James hundreds of times on the arsecast podcast, I enjoyed getting a background in James's life and thatof his "pop" who, to be honest, I'd never heard of. Not being a big boxing fan didn't make it less readable. If anything it has made my interest in boxing stronger. I'm certainly interested in reading other books about Terry downes. I expect this was part of the target of making this book.
You should be very proud of yourself james. I'm hoping you'll be writing further books. Expect I will hear about that possibility through arseblog or arsecast.
As you stated in your book, I had no idea about your health issue. It sounds truly horrible. I wish you all the best in that front.
Graham Macgregor
Gmac plastering
Up the arsenal
Having listened to James hundreds of times on the arsecast podcast, I enjoyed getting a background in James's life and thatof his "pop" who, to be honest, I'd never heard of. Not being a big boxing fan didn't make it less readable. If anything it has made my interest in boxing stronger. I'm certainly interested in reading other books about Terry downes. I expect this was part of the target of making this book.
You should be very proud of yourself james. I'm hoping you'll be writing further books. Expect I will hear about that possibility through arseblog or arsecast.
As you stated in your book, I had no idea about your health issue. It sounds truly horrible. I wish you all the best in that front.
Graham Macgregor
Gmac plastering
Up the arsenal
January 19, 2023
Enjoyed this read, it was a really interesting take on sizing up “against” a larger-than-life family member.
I’m rather familiar with the author and his personal plight, I’m a big fan of his Arsenal podcast and have heard him tell of his recent struggles on another podcast, Brett Goldstein’s Films to be Buried With. So I was excited to read this, his first go at a book.
An excellent tale of his ancestral lineage, mirrored by his own life in the present… feelings of inadequacy in these self-deprecating times… and coming to terms with the fact that he’d placed the patriarch of his family upon a pedestal, acceptance that no star is as bright as it seems.
I’m rather familiar with the author and his personal plight, I’m a big fan of his Arsenal podcast and have heard him tell of his recent struggles on another podcast, Brett Goldstein’s Films to be Buried With. So I was excited to read this, his first go at a book.
An excellent tale of his ancestral lineage, mirrored by his own life in the present… feelings of inadequacy in these self-deprecating times… and coming to terms with the fact that he’d placed the patriarch of his family upon a pedestal, acceptance that no star is as bright as it seems.
January 13, 2022
I really enjoyed listening to this book. As an Arsenal fan, I am familiar with James from his work at the Athletic and on Arsecast extra.
However, I never knew so much about his back story or that of his grandfather. This book is humerus and also makes you think about what you know and don't know about people who are close to you. You never know what road others are on.
I recommend this as an audiobook. James narration adds a lot to the story.
However, I never knew so much about his back story or that of his grandfather. This book is humerus and also makes you think about what you know and don't know about people who are close to you. You never know what road others are on.
I recommend this as an audiobook. James narration adds a lot to the story.
June 23, 2022
Not a boxing fan, but I’m an Arsenal fan. And if you’re an Arsenal fan, you probably have heard of Arseblog and therefore Gunnerblog, the author of this book.
I may have decided to pick up this book because of the Arsenal link, my rating for this book, however, is purely based on my enjoyment of this book. It’s at times touching, at times humorous, at times inspiring, at times despairing. All in all, I couldn’t ask for more for a biography.
I may have decided to pick up this book because of the Arsenal link, my rating for this book, however, is purely based on my enjoyment of this book. It’s at times touching, at times humorous, at times inspiring, at times despairing. All in all, I couldn’t ask for more for a biography.
April 13, 2022
An amazingly beautiful story. I had no idea of the challenges James has gone through. This is a beautiful story of family, tragedy, love, triumph, success, failure, and above all else, overcoming adversity.
Thank you for writing it James. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to hear any of the above.
Thank you for writing it James. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to hear any of the above.
September 22, 2023
Very touching account of the life of the author and his grandfather who was a famous prizefighter. I heard about this book while listening to an Arsenal podcast and I’m glad I decided to give it a go. The book was frequently funny, poignant and provided lots of insight into the life of James McNicholas, aka Gunnerblog and Terry Downes, aka The Paddington Express.
September 20, 2022
Loved this. Nice light hearted summer read.
January 26, 2024
“Read” this in audiobook form and really enjoyed it. What wonderful contrast between two very different men.
May 24, 2024
After reading this, we all need to stop wishing James harm for our own selfish reasons.
October 4, 2024
Such a heartwarming story! Taught me so much about boxing, comedy and what legacy truly means
August 10, 2024
Really loved the honesty of the storytelling and the juxtaposition of James & his Grandpa’s lives.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews