Profile: Ace

Favourite sporting film moment(s)?

Its a film. When we were Kings. Its a documentary about the background and fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. It was nicknamed the Rumble in the Jungle. Its just an extraordinaly story illuminated by Ali of course and featuring interviews with individuals like Norman Mailer. But its got great music too. Picked up loads of Academy Awards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44vdCqI7LI
Raging Bull is an all time favourite although I have to confess that the fight scenes outside the riung are more realistic than the pugilism inside the ring. Artistically I know that the camera has to see the face being hit but every boxer keeps his guard up - to see Di Nero being pummeled - its just not real.
But for a sporting moment - the football match in Kes where a bullying school master played by Brian Glover organises a football match where he has to be the star. Brilliant stuff. Gritty realism and all that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycWO0w852g

Best Book about Sport?

I've read a few recently - Feet in the Clouds - about Fell Running is terrific. A long walk spoiled by John Feinstein is a very thorough overview of Golf and what its like to miss a 3 foot putt and lose your livelihood. Joe Simpson - Touching the Void - although not sure its a sport book and a bit overshadowed by the film.
There's a book called War Baby by Kevin Mitchell about the fight between Nigel Benn and Gerald Mclelland that left the American a virtual vegtable. Not too keen on the Nick Hornby book about Arsenal - always came across as a non sporting fan.

What music/band do you listen to when you are training/doing mind numbing workout stuff?

I like World Music - African music with a good beat and rhythm - although Pulp's I want to live like Common People makes me row like a nutter. I now have downloaded the Killers and Amy Winehouse onto the Ipod - brill.

Which sports career would you most like to have?

Sports Journalist possibly having access to interview people like Muhammad Ali - failing which a tennis pro easing round the circuit looking for mixed doubles partners

Which moment in your sporting life was better than sex?

Most of my sporting activities last longer. I know what was not compatible - long distance cycling and sex. After two weeks on a bike it took me a couple of days before I could get back onto the other saddle - so to speak