In this punchy, uproarious romp of a novel, the Halifax boxing world -- peopled with has-beens, wannabes, and posers dressed in spandex, leopard prints, and tie-dye -- touches gloves with the colourful world of sports reporting. Both groups need something hot with speedy delivery.

Enter a cast of misfits. Turmoil Davies, an enigmatic Trinidadian heavyweight, is poised to storm the boxing scene. Ownie Flanagan, an old-school trainer, trains men with more ambition than talent. He's looking for "one real fighter" before he retires and believes Turmoil is it. Scott MacDonald, a journalist assigned to the boxing beat, tries to relive his own glory days through other men's sweat.

With a wicked sense of humour, Elaine McCluskey conjures a larger-than-life world where spotty turf is defended with klutzy bravado down to the final, unpredictable ten-count.