He was twice-European champion and number one on the world-ranking list. He had a diverse fan-following: part demi-monde, part celebrity – pimps sat next to ministers, prostitutes next to high-ranking civil servants, intellectuals next to film stars. When the 20-year old in his 13th professional fight became European champion, the renowned Burg Theatre actor, Robert Lindner, suffered a heart attack and died. Hans Orsolics turned Austria into a country of boxing fanatics, carving a place for himself into everyone's heart at the height of his career and hanging on to this affection even when everything around him came tumbling down. The humble chimney sweep from an impoverished background has been turned into a cult figure.

Sigi Bergmann, a renowned sport reporter/boxing expert, writes about his friend, Hans Orsolics while at the same time offering fascinating insights into a sport full of brutality and passion.

About the author:

Sigi Bergmann was born in 1938. For the past 20 years he has counted amongst the most renowned sport journalists. He studied history and voice, and as a student was himself a boxer. As a journalist he has covered more than 3,000 fights. His friendship with Hans Orsolics has spanned decades. He made films with him, hid him from the police, visited him in prison, and helped him rebuild a normal life.