By Michael Cotter

Regular readers of BoxingScene.com will remember that a short while ago, Steve Bunce, he of ‘The Boxing Hour’ on Setanta fame and currently the host of the very popular BBC London 94.9 Thursday evening Boxing Radio show (but more on that later!), gave us an interview with regard to the launch of his first fictional novel, entitled ‘The Fixer’.

‘The Fixer’, is the story of Ray Lester a fixer in the boxing business.  A fast-paced boxing thriller, that takes the reader into the murky secret world of deals, fights and fighters - a world beyond the glitz, glamour and glory.  A world where the fixer is king.

The novel has been flying off the shelves and delivered to the boxing public’s doors via the online-stores for some time and with that being the case, we felt it best to have a look at the reception its being getting online and in the print-media.

Reviews:

'A devastating evocation of the way the sport functions at its basest level' - George Kimball, author of the bestselling Four Kings

'Reads like a Raymond Chandler for the twenty- first century.  A hard-boiled, two-fisted, wise-cracking novel about the boxing world's black underbelly. As a thriller writer, Steve Bunce wipes the floor with Stieg Larsson.' – Tony Parsons

"What Bunce has done brilliantly in The Fixer is to borrow heavily from his decades in and around boxing as participant, commentator and salesman to tell a fictional tale that is disturbingly close to the real thing."- Kevin Mitchell, The Observer

"Steve Bunce knows this colourful world inside out and the story crackles with so much authenticity that you can almost smell the stale sweat and leather as you turn the pages. It's boxing, blondes and Bunce - what more would a fight fan want?" - Sport Magazine

Those of you who haven’t purchased a copy of the book are in for a treat this coming Bank Holiday weekend, if you find your way down to London’s EXCEL Arena for SENI 2010, Britain’s premier fighting expo, offering something for everyone-from Boxing, MMA to Traditional arts, from Olympic Sports to Health and Fitness and from Self-Defence to musical forms and tricks across a thrill-packed weekend.  Steve Bunce will be signing copies of ‘The Fixer’ at Seni over the Bank Holiday weekend and will as ever be happy, to talk boxing, the book and have a good rant with everyone in attendance.

In addition Steve Bunce hosts the ‘The Boxing Hour’ on Thursday on BBC London 94.9fm from 9-10 throughout the summer. Very much in the same vain as the Setanta Boxing Hour, Bunce is requesting that as many listeners get involved as possible.  Calls are requested on Thursday on 0207 224 2000 and texts can be sent to 07786 200 949, the show aims to be as interactive as possible, featuring guest after guest from the boxing world.

Those unable to tune in via 94.9 FM, can stream the show live online via the BBC website and pick it up the following morning for the next seven days via the BBC I-player.

With so few avenues, for boxing fans to get their voice heard on the BBC, it really is a must listen and the best way to get boxing back on the BBC is to support each and every avenue they put out.

Come on people, prove to the broadcasters that BOXING is a sport with a committed fan base worth getting behind; small things could lead to those that are much greater!

For those of you unable to attend SENI 2010 over the bank holiday weekend and wishing to purchase a copy of Steve Bunce’s ‘THE FIXER’ copies are available from all good bookstores and the cheapest store selling the book is www.amazon.co.uk at only £6.11.