2025 Shortlist Interview: Donald McRae

Two-time winner Donald McRae’s The Last Bell has been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025.

What is your book about?

“This will certainly be my last book on boxing, even though I will continue to write other books. Boxing is a subject that defines so much of my work. It has given me some of the sweetest moments of my life, but also some of the saddest moments. This book attempts to distil what has happened to the business of boxing over the last six years.

“There’s a personal side to it as well, because it talks about death in my family. I began thinking about writing this book back in 2018 when there was a lot of personal calamity in my life. I lost my sister, my mother and my father in close succession to each other. I went back to boxing initially just because I felt that was a safe place where I knew the subject so well and maybe it would help me cope with the grief I was feeling.

“But the further I got into it, the more I wanted to do something that was quite definitive on the state of boxing. It took me almost six years to complete the book. It shows the courage of boxers and it shows the duplicity of the boxing business.”

How does it feel to be shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It feels special to be shortlisted. It shows how old I am that this is actually my sixth shortlisting, which I can’t believe! This year it seems to be a list full of some compelling and powerful books, which makes it even more special to be included.

“This award means so much to sports writers because, more than any other award it actually sheds a light on quality sports writing. It’s been going for a long time and over the decades the books have just got better and better, and long may it continue because it’s hugely important to writing in sport.”

What would it mean to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It would mean a huge amount if I could be lucky enough to win this award for a third time. I’m going to be continuing to write books for many years. It’s a bittersweet book because it’s my farewell to boxing, and it’s a chance for me to go out hopefully on a good note.”

About the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in the world. First awarded in 1989, it aims to reward excellence in sports writing and provide recognition to authors who bring the world of sport to life through their work.

This year’s winner will be crowned at a central London ceremony on Tuesday, 25th November, where they will also claim a £30,000 prize and the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award trophy. Shortlisted authors will receive a leather-bound copy of their book along with £3,000 each.

The 2025 judging panel will be chaired by Alyson Rudd, with Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Walder making up the rest of the panel.