The Unexpected Danny Green is Back

Paul R. Friedman has released an audiobook version of his debut novel The Unexpected Danny Green narrated by Dave Fennoy. The book introduces the heroic character Danny Green, a fictional boxer from Mississippi who moves to New York to pursue his career. Friedman spoke with The Jewish Boxing Blog about his boxing influences that contributed to the writing of Danny Green's journey.

Friedman's interest in boxing was shaped by respected acting coach Sal Dano, who was also well-versed in the sport. Friedman was 18 years old and "out of control" due to unchecked emotions when he met Dano, who came just at the right time for the teenager.

Friedman describes Dano as "powerful and complicated." He got the sense that if Dano turned dark, he could hurt someone, but the coach was both street smart and classically intelligent. Mentor and protégé watched fights together, and Dano analyzed the boxers' movements in a way that went deeper than the understanding of a mere fan, teaching Friedman to appreciate the sport on another level.

Because of Dano's mentorship, Friedman even put on the gloves himself and boxed with friends. He learned not only technique, but also not to fight emotionally. Dano taught Friedman about himself and about humanity and directed his life's trajectory. A secret Paul shared with The JBB is a character in the book is not only based on Dano, but is also an anagram of his name.

Friedman, who worked as Vice President of Creative Content at CBS for decades, once met "Sugar" Ray Leonard backstage at an event honoring Muhammad Ali. Leonard confided in Paul, "Without Ali, there's no Sugar Ray." Ali and Leonard were two of Friedman's favorite boxers, a list that includes Mike Tyson, and a less famous fighter: James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Friedman also marveled at the amount of punishment Joe Frazier took to get inside, and relayed a revealing story about another smaller heavyweight. At a Grammy party, he ran into Evander Holyfield and decided, perhaps unwisely, to put his arm on the champ's shoulder. "I never met someone who was made out of rock before," Paul quipped. Holyfield's shoulders were so muscular they were like "marble."

Danny Green's career was influenced by real life events. In the book, a character illegally wraps his hands with plaster of paris, an episode based on Antonio Margarito's fight against Miguel Cotto. Margarito was caught with the illegal wraps before his fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley six months later, which led to the belief that he had used the outlawed substance against Cotto, since his punches grew harder as the fight progressed.

Friedman was also moved while watching a fighter get knocked out but continue to throw punches in an unconscious state from the canvas, a sad event featured in the book.

Imagining the younger version of a lithe building super in New York, Friedman created the character of Danny Green with the intention to inspire readers. Green is a well-rounded diamond in the rough, someone who is physically gifted as well as intelligent. It stems from Paul's belief that if we all apply ourselves we can overcome hardship and become successful. Friedman is a living embodiment of that belief.

The audiobook version can be purchased here.