Neil J. Smith was invited for discussing his new publication, On the Ropes, by the Creative Writing Club of the Bard College on Friday, April 5th 2022, at 5 pm. Mr. Smith delivered an author’s talk with the Bard College students. His book was also displayed for the students to check out. On the Ropes is an exquisite revelation and an accurate portrayal of the boxing industry of the 60s in the United States. It entails the courageous stand of the black boxers in the face of white supremacy in the US in the 60s and highlights how racism, capitalism, and US culture suppressed black boxers and preserved the white population in that era. Neil brings characters to life through his elaborate writing style and fabulous character development. A must-read for people who enjoy the particular genre of Historical Fiction. Neil J. Smith was the fifth child in a total of ten offspring in his family. He terms this as a reason for his late and ill educational process. N. J. Smith started boxing at the age of 12 and conquered numerous amateur awards during his next 12 years in the boxing industry. He became the All-Army Champion. Later on, he formally studied Creative Writing, Poetry, and Literature at NYU with William Packard, a professor, author, and editor at the prestigious New York Quarterly. Smith worked as the vice president at New York Quarterly for 15 years with William Packard. Currently, Neil resides upstate with his wife and continues to write.