Graveyard of Champions: The Fascinating Story of Liverpool's Legendary Boxing Stadium

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Stephen Barr John Conteh

Graveyard of Champions

Name: Graveyard of Champions
Price: 53.39 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781836802563

The Fascinating Story of Liverpool's Legendary Boxing Stadium

Stephen Barr, John Conteh

$58.95 $53.39

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Pitch Publishing Ltd
20 April 2026

Sporting venues; Boxing

As the 1970s began, Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy) was a semi-retired wrestler, aged 40; the younger Martin Ruane (Giant Haystacks), a down-on-his-luck father of three. Both were living in poverty, scratching out a living in the murky underworld of northern England as nightclub doormen. A decade later, they were two of the most famous faces in Britain, with record-breaking millions tuning in to watch them clash at Wembley. But the glory wouldn’t last forever. Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks tells a rags-to-riches tale of unlikely fame, family loyalty, tragic death, and a uniquely British pop culture phenomenon. This gripping roller-coaster story features exclusive contributions from the likes of Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, former British heavyweight champion Tony St. Clair and ‘Superstar’ Mal Sanders.

By: Stephen Barr
Foreword by: John Conteh
Imprint: Pitch Publishing Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781836802563
ISBN 10: 1836802560
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 20 April 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Originally from Liverpool, raised in Ghana and Zambia in Africa, and now based in Northern Virginia, Stephen Barr is a retired telecommunications professional with a passion for boxing history. Inspired by his grandfather, 1930s featherweight fighter Dick Burke, Steve has spent years researching pre-war Liverpool boxing and supports the historic Everton Red Triangle Boxing Club.