Mean Business: The Creation of Shawn O'Sullivan

Glynn A. Leyshon is a professor of physical education at the University
of Western Ontario, a former weekly columnist for the London Free Press
and author of 18 Sporting Stories.

This book, subtitled The Creation of Shawn O’Sullivan, tells the tale of Canada’s one-time world amateur boxing titleholder and his brief career as a professional.

Shortly after the publication of this book, O’Sullivan was beaten by a former club mate, Donovan Boucher, for the Canadian title, and O’Sullivan declared his retirement. It seemed inevitable by the end of this extremely well-researched story that O’Sullivan’s professional career would be short.

Author Stephen Brunt did not simply chronicle O’Sullivan’s achievements, he looked into the seamy, political, backbiting arrangements which, apparently, are inextricably linked to the boxing game. O’Sullivan was an unusual commodity in boxing — white, articulate, and competent. The maneuvering through the sewer of the professional sport to preserve his clean-cut image is a fascinating tale. Brunt also includes many brief histories of earlier Canadian boxers to establish just where O’Sullivan ranks among former greats.

Boxing is the only sport in which the sole object is to injure one’s opponent. It is a sad commentary on civilization that we continue to allow it. Brunt, for all his empathy toward his protagonist, lets his own opinion shine through by simply presenting the facts — and they are damning.

That O’Sullivan essentially failed in his bid to become a professional champion (although he did make $500,000) is a sad fact, but the manner of his trying makes an interesting story. It is well worth reading whether one is a sports fan on simply interested in a good piece of non-fiction which has all the elements of fiction.