Cockfighter Charles Willeford Charles Willeford's novel "Cockfighter" is a story centered around Frank Mansfield, a professional cocker who has taken a vow of silence until he can win the Cockfighter of the Year Award The novel, first published in 1962 as a paperback and later in 1972 as a hardcover edition , is considered Willeford's masterpiece and is loosely modeled on Homer's Odyssey It provides a detailed look into the world of cockfighting, portraying the sport with knowledge and attention to detail.