Britain's best-loved journeyman Johnny Greaves releases extraordinary autobiography

Bright Lights and Dark Corners - The Johnny Greaves Story is out now

Set in a world of violence, bravado and bravery, this immersive and powerful story feels like a Guy Ritchie movie!

While boxing superstars like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua soak up the Saudi riches, it’s a very different story for the small hall losers who take fights at short notice for the dubious honour of becoming a punchbag for the latest hot prospect.

Through bravery, stupidity, financial need or perhaps some warped sense of masochism, these are the journeymen who make boxing shows tick – and Johnny Greaves was one of the best (or worst): 100 fights, 96 losses.

‘Have gum shield, will travel’ was his motto as he picked himself up off pub floors, police cells and strangers’ beds at the drop of a hat to appear on the undercard of huge fights involving the likes of Amir Khan and David Haye.

Often drunk, hungover or horribly unfit, Johnny would stuff down a Tesco meal deal, neck a can of lager and smoke a few fags as he prepared for battle in front of an audience of thousands.

This shocking yet poignant portrayal of a man on the edge, searching for validation in the most brutal business in the world, will make you gasp, laugh and cry in equal measure.

Read and you will discover:

· Exclusive stories about the world of professional boxing, and the role of journeymen in particular, from a gnarled 100-fight veteran

· Shocking and revealing tales around the key fights in Johnny’s career, against such established names as Anthony Crolla, Lee Selby and Gavin Rees

· How Johnny fought against future British and world champions with little training or preparation and often impeded by the effects of alcohol and drugs

· A harrowing dive into the world of depression and mental health, with disturbing and upsetting insights into the mind of a professional athlete trying to cope with the trauma of childhood and emotional scarring

· Visceral and chilling accounts of domestic violence and childhood neglect, plus how those experiences shaped the thinking and behaviour of Johnny, how it instructed the choices he made in his life, and led to a loss of identity and self-esteem

· Untold stories and insight about the world of unlicensed boxing, made famous by the likes of Lenny McLean and Roy ‘Pretty Boy’ Shaw, where Johnny learnt how to fight rough.

The Johnny Greaves Story is available to buy from Amazon.

Adam Darke is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with more than 25 years’ experience in the world of sports broadcasting. He has produced and directed more than 30 films and series for the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Discovery, Channel 4 and many more. Before that he worked for BBC radio, ITV, and then Sky Sports. Having made Cornered, a film about Johnny Greaves, in 2014, Adam now tells Johnny’s story in full in this powerful book - RRP: £25.00.