A teenage boxer learns how to fight dirtyin and out of the ring As soon as the bell chimes, Steven knows he's in trouble. Del Toro is stronger, faster, and in better shape; he's by far the better boxer. But Steven has been learning to fight dirty. He steps on Del Toro's toes, whips his head into the bigger man's chin, and throws a straight right just wide enough to send his elbow crashing into his nose. It isn't pretty, and it isn't honest, but it works. In the boxing ring, and in life, Steven is never afraid to cheat. Invited to San Diego for a prestigious Golden Gloves West Coast tournament, Steven needs $600 to make the trip. A friend convinces him to get the money the easy wayby robbing a liquor store, and Steven soon learns there are fights where throwing in the towel means death.

 

This book has been graded for interest at 14-17 years.

There are 136 pages in this book. This book was published 2015 by Open Road Media Teen & Tween .

Michael Cadnum is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for adults and young adults, including the contemporary novels Rundown, Heat , and Edge (all Viking) and the historical novel In a Dark Wood (Orchard/Puffin). Michael Cadnum lives in Albany, California. copyright (c) 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.