Brawler

Brawler by Connelly, Neil. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781338157758.

The searing story of a boy who runs away after ruining his promising wrestling career, only to get caught up in an illegal fighting tournament---the only place he thinks he can build a future. Eddie MacIntyre--Mac to a handful of friends--is Pennsylvanias most promising wrestler. His future is bright with scholarship offers and the dream of helping his struggling mom. But then comes a fateful match at the state championship, when his famous rage consumes him and he assaults a referee. In an instant, Mac loses all he and his mom have worked to build since his abusive father was locked up years ago.Facing arrest, Mac runs away to another town, where he is taken in by a shady promoter who has followed his career. He recruits Mac into Brawlers, an illegal underground fighting ring run by a gangland boss. This is a bloodsport that has no rules . . . but offers plenty of reward. Mac teams up with Khajee, a girl with the fighting skills hell need to learn to survive . . . and her own dark past tying her to the head of the ring. Together the two must figure out their place in a world that hasnt been kind to them . . . and forge a future that could be.