Anthony and the Johnsons lead singer Anthony Hegarty has put his musical career on hold for the foreseeable future in his pursuit of his quest to be the Arm-Wrestling World Champion.

'People assume I am a bit of a sap cos I write soppy tunes' he told Gobshout News 'but i'm hard as fuck.' 'I did a bit of bare-knuckle streetfighting in my time and also a bit of bare-arse boxing.

‘I’ve always loved the raw masculine challenge of pitting my strength against another man.  To be honest, it’s what I live for these days. The music is pretty much secondary.’

I read about the Arm-Wrestling Championship in my copy of Wrist Action Monthly and I was instantly hooked.  Since then I’ve been down the gym every day, pumping my wrists and getting myself ready for a shot at the title.’

The World Arm-Wrestling Championships Fists of Fury take place in Alabama next month with Antony 'Mercury Man'Johnson pitted against the Italian champion Tony 'Fingers' Ferringo in the first round.    

Posted In Gobshout News, Feb 07 2009. Words - Terry