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The story of this story
This novel was born out of previous reporting I did on the boxing and semi-pro hockey scenes in Montreal several years ago. While all of the characters and scenarios in I Heard You Take Action are pure works of fiction, this early journalism exposed me to sporting cultures that demanded fictional treatment. Below are some of the foundational pieces that inspired the story.
"It's hard not to see Griffin's job as a metaphor for his life. The same qualities he praises boxing for instilling in people—how to operate under duress and overcome oneself—have been instrumental to his survival."
Boxing is part of Montreal's DNA. But its fight culture hasn't fully been embraced by English Canadians, leaving one of the world's great boxing scenes largely hidden within its home province.
LNAH legend Steve Bossé talks about how his former life as a hockey enforcer helped him transition to MMA, and his upcoming Canadian UFC debut at Fight Night 89.
"To understand Bossé’s path is to survey the provincial fight scene, where violence and theatre have coalesced for decades. From it, he fashioned one of the most unique careers in Canadian history."
