Danny Byrne was a mere toddler when he and his single-parent father, Daniel, immigrated to America from Ireland in 1949. Daniel was a strict but loving father. Actually, he was the epitome of dichotomy: profane yet pious, hard-hearted yet tender, prejudiced yet accepting. He molded and formed Danny as an artist would work with clay. Daniel, a man of little means, sacrificed everything including his own personal wants and needs for the welfare, belief in and admiration for his son, Danny.
Danny's early exposure to differing people and circumstances taught him profound respect for who an individual was, rather than what they did or to which group they belonged. He was the neighborhood 'sheriff' and protector of the smaller kids and carried his empathy for the underdog throughout his life.
Danny, although admired and respected by his peers, never quite fit in. He decided, early in life, to be a professional prize-fighter and dedicated his youth and life in pursuance of his goal. Danny's amazing will and determination carried him to Olympic glory and, later, professional success. Joining Danny in his journey are Mary Worth: a neighbor who 'adopted' Danny and invested her emotional life in his; Sol Rosenberg: a profane, belligerent, lifetime loser as a boxing trainer/manager who saw �sumptin� in de kid" and turned them both into winners and Kathy Wiley: Danny's stunningly beautiful, high-school sweetheart, wife and the envy of every man she met.
Danny Byrne seemed blessed. He had it all: a wonderful wife, world-wide fame and attention, a loving group of family and friends and wealth beyond his dreams. His life was perfect until fate reared its ugly head and hit Danny with a series of punches more painful and debilitating than any he suffered in the ring.
