Boxing book recommendations

[Axl_Nose]

I would be really grateful if anybody could recommend me some great books about boxing. Ive read 5 or 6 over the last 12 months which have been fantastic but i dont know of any more good ones to get. Over the last 12 months ive read these titles ....

Four Kings - A book on Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Duran .. A pretty solid book but didnt tell me a great deal that i didnt already know but well worth a read ..

Dark Trade - Written by Donald Mcrae, who had intimate access to fighters such as, Tyson, Eubank, Watson, Tonaey and Naz .. Its a great personal story that charts the sides to fighters that the public seldom sees ..

Hands of Stone - Wriiten by Cristian Giudice, about the one and only Roberto Duran. A great biography that charts Duran's childhood through to his retirement

Becoming Holyfield - The autobiography on Evander. This was my only disapointment. Holyfield is one of my all time favourite fighters but there is nothing that interesting here. He doesnt really focus on his fights, its more about his family life, his mum and his belief in god .. Im not saying its not worth a read but i wanted a bit more information on each individual fight with Bowe, Tyson and Lewis

McCilvanney on Boxing - A truly great book written by a truly great author/journalist .. Hugh McCilvanney is one of the foremost British experts on boxing and reading his reports on fights, stretching back 30 years is a learning experience

Ringside - A Treasury of Boxing Reportage - Ive saved the very best til last. Written by Budd Schulberg (the man who wrote 'On The Waterfront' which later became a huge film for Marlon Brando in the 50s). This is a view into the mind of the most knowledgable man alive on boxing .. He's in his 90's now, he saw his first fight in the 20's as a young boy and ever since then he has been reporting on boxing. One of the only guys who can really compare fighters from several era's. He also takes you through what it was like training and managing a fighter .... I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anybody, I dont think anybody will be disappointed getting this off amazon for a tenner ..

So could anybody recommend any books for me ??

[Primadonna Kool]

Frank Bruno "Fighting Back"

[TBooze]

Four Kings - A book on Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Duran .. A pretty solid book but didnt tell me a great deal that i didnt already know but well worth a read ..


I fought that initially, figuring it would be patronizing and demeaning, (it was an unwanted Christmas present), but it was not. Even if you think you are a Duran/Hagler/Hearns/Leonard know it all, Kimball will teach you something...

Battling Siki: A tale of ring fixes, Race and Murder in the 1920s is a hard read, but well worth it.

Also I recommended Hurricane: The life of Rubin Carter, fighter as a better read than the 16th round.....

[GazOC]

Not to blow my own trumpet but I know quite a lot about the "Four Kings" but I learnt a lot from that book. Nothing major about the 4 main fighters but the way Kimball goes off on tangents with figures/ boxers around that time is great.

The Johnny Owen book is very good, as is Black Lights which is a look at boxing generally with focus on Billy Costello the old 140 lb champ.

[BamBam]

Don McRae's book was good I must say. He's a bit up his own arse IMO though (though he goes out of his way to appear otherwise).

Kimball is a really top writer. No matter what you know or think you know about the four protagonists you will still enjoy it.

If you want an entertaining and quick read then Roger Anderson's The Fighting Irish is quite good. It's tracks Irish fighters (mostly heavyweights) from about 1815 to the present day.

It's broken down nicely with each chapter dedicated to one fighters story. He does reach a bit with the 'Irish' aspect. There are a lot of Irish - Americans mentioned but they come from a time when Irish - Americans were actually half Irish half American and not 15th generation.

I found it quite entertaining although the last couple of chapters seem a bit rushed

[Axl_Nose]

I didnt mean to demean 'Four Kings' in any way but i already knew about the reasons for hostility between Hagler and Leonard .... And i had read the Duran biography by then .. It was a very interesting book and im glad i read it, but it doesnt compare to 'Dark Trade', 'McCilvanney on Boxing' or Schulberg's 'Ringside' ....... Has anybody got any recommendations i could take a look at ?

[Axl_Nose]

Don McRae's book was good I must say. He's a bit up his own arse IMO though (though he goes out of his way to appear otherwise).

Kimball is a really top writer. No matter what you know or think you know about the four protagonists you will still enjoy it.

If you want an entertaining and quick read then Roger Anderson's The Fighting Irish is quite good. It's tracks Irish fighters (mostly heavyweights) from about 1815 to the present day.

It's broken down nicely with each chapter dedicated to one fighters story. He does reach a bit with the 'Irish' aspect. There are a lot of Irish - Americans mentioned but they come from a time when Irish - Americans were actually half Irish half American and not 15th generation.

I found it quite entertaining although the last couple of chapters seem a bit rushed

Thanks, i'll check that out .. By no means was i being arrogant about 'Four Kings', its just that these 4 fighters are in my all time favourite fighters so im keen on reading anything about them and that was before 'Four Kings' came out .... Kimball is a good writer, theres no doubt about it but nobody should doubt that Budd Schulberg is 'The Man' when it comes to Boxing

[GazOC]

Axl, didn't you find the parts on people like Hilmer Kenty, Milt McCrory, Aaron Pryor etc interesting? Haglers early career, Rays amateur fights and the politics involved in American amateur boxing. It was that side of the book which made it great for me.

[BamBam]

I wasn't suggesting you were taking Four Kings for granted. I was just adding my recommendation to other peoples :good

Just another thing about the Anderson book, it lacks real depth but has some nice anecdotes which makes it a pretty breezy read.

Like the one about what really happend to Bill 'The Butcher' Poole (Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York). There are some nice like nuggets of info and some funny tales.

A big MUST AVOID to Ferdie Pachechos '10 greatest rounds of boxing' way too self serving for my liking.

[TBooze]

A big MUST AVOID to Ferdie Pachechos '10 greatest rounds of boxing' way too self serving for my liking.

Oh come on, the man who made Ali, is too self serving... Did not see that one coming!;)

[Axl_Nose]

Axl, didn't you find the parts on people like Hilmer Kenty, Milt McCrory, Aaron Pryor etc interesting? Haglers early career, Rays amateur fights and the politics involved in American amateur boxing. It was that side of the book which made it great for me.

Gaz you are spot on, the early years of Hagler's career was a stand out .... Let me re-iterate, i did find the book interesting and i will read it again some day .. If i sounded harsh on my original post, i apologise .. In no way would i demean 'Four Kings', its great but in my humble opinion it doesnt compare to 'Dark Trade', 'McCilvanney on Boxing' and ultimately Schulberg's 'Ringside' .. It is just my opnion and im sure many people will take more enjoyment in reading 'Four Kings' than 'Dark Trade' .. Its an opinion and i respect everyone's opinion on here, but i just preferred the other 3 books than 'Four Kings' probably because the other 3 books touched on fighters not as 'Showbiz' as the 4 kings ........ It is my dream to have a guy write a book on Ricardo Lopez or Carlos Monzon .. Four Kings is a great book and i recommend it but if you had your last £10, buy Budd Schulberg's 'Ringside - A Treasury of Boxing Reportage', forget about any negative reviews it may have or may not , trust me, you will enjoy it

[Axl_Nose]

I wasn't suggesting you were taking Four Kings for granted. I was just adding my recommendation to other peoples :good

Just another thing about the Anderson book, it lacks real depth but has some nice anecdotes which makes it a pretty breezy read.

Like the one about what really happend to Bill 'The Butcher' Poole (Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York). There are some nice like nuggets of info and some funny tales.

A big MUST AVOID to Ferdie Pachechos '10 greatest rounds of boxing' way too self serving for my liking.

I definately appreciate your advise on the Anderson book and i'll check it out .. I think the way i worded my original post gave people the impression that i didnt like 'Four Kings', but i did, it just wasnt the best boxing book i have personally read. Thats just my opinion, everybody has a different opinion and i respect that

[safe_pa]

Unforgivable Blackness - the rise and fall of Jack Johnson and
The Big If - The Life and Death of Johnny Owen :thumbsup

[Axl_Nose]

Unforgivable Blackness - the rise and fall of Jack Johnson and
The Big If - The Life and Death of Johnny Owen :thumbsup

Thanks bud, i will definately check oout 'The Big If' .. Ive seen tons of stuff on Jack Johnson on tv .. I'll check out 'Unforgiveable Blackness' at some point but Johnny Owen definately interests me, his life before he faced Pintor and then that fight .. Life is about circumstance, but i do wonder whether Pintor would have even been in the ring with Owen had he not got a gift of a decision against Zarate in '79 .. Zarate v Pintor ranks as one of the biggest robberies in history for me, Zarate was a clear winner .. Pintor also starred in one of the top 5 fights of 'all time' in his losing effort against Wilfredo Gomez in '82 .. Anybody who hasnt seen Pintor v Gomez, get a copy, its one hell of a fight

[bigG]

two books i read and thought were excellent, but may be rarer these days...joyce carroll oates 'on boxing' and a book called 'serenity' ..cant remember who wrote this one but it was excellent....

[mbrockett]

Raging Bull by jake la motta? good insight into the man

[Bunce]

Kimball's The Four Kings stands out for one major reason ...he was THERE. He is the reason that some of you are familiar with the tales. Many of the other books in this thread were put together by good writers and good writers should never be confused with good boxing writers. Trust me.
Get a copy of Harry Mullan's Fighting Words; Dave Anderson's In the Corner; Phil Berger's Punchlines. Men that were there and wrote from heart and knowledge and not as fans.
Stick with me boys and girls. And, I nearly forgot: The Biggest Fight. Michael Watson's book. A sensational read!!!!

Adios.

[Beeston Brawler]

Johnny Nelson's book is an interesting read.

Calzaghe's is a bit of a weak effort to be honest, full of bitterness and contradictions, whilst Ricky Hatton's is fairly funny but poorly written.

All sportsmen should wait until they have retired before bringing out books, for a number of reasons.

[c woodhouse]

the big if is my fav book great read couldnt put it down

[Shizzle]

Unforgiveable Blackness - The Story of Jack Johnson.

Fantastic book.

[saturday_kid]

I just finished reading Rope Burns, decent read. Short stories (and 1 novella) be FX Toole (ex cutman), includes the short Million Dollar Baby. Decent read

[archie]

Looking for a Fight: How a Writer Took on the Boxing World - From the Inside
by David Matthews (Author).

It's a true story followng the journey of one man (David Matthews) who decides to cast aside the drudgery of his meaningless and unchallenging day to day existence, and began a two-year training programme so he could have one professional fight. I really enjoyed the book and at times found it quite inspirational...

[GazOC]

two books i read and thought were excellent, but may be rarer these days...joyce carroll oates 'on boxing' and a book called 'serenity' ..cant remember who wrote this one but it was excellent....

Was that book called Serendipity, or something like that?

[FLINT ISLAND]

Benn McCllenan book was good...............savage business or something like that

Cant remeber now I bought it a few years back and read it and sold it

It details everything about the fighters background and the fight

Talks about when McCllenan use to live feed labroders to his pit bulls and how he drove down and killed Flamingo birds on purpose this information caused alot of outrage with the animal rights activists

Any you must know what animal rights activists are like...........complete loons..............they threatened to bring harm to Frank ****** for attending a Gerald McCllenan fund raiser in London

Animal activists are a bit retard as they will nail bomb people etc and cause them harm and suffering in the name of animal rights

However while I am all for treating animals with diginity

Human life is more precious than animal life and they harm Human life

Retards

[LDJB81]

Master of the Ring: The Extraordinary Life of Jem Mace Father of Boxing and the First Worldwide Sports Star

[gutto]

my vida loca johny tapia

[firetrap01]

To OP

Not sure if you like biographies but i've just finished Benny Lynch's.

Also recently read Barney Ross and Emile Griffith's and would recommend all 3.

Benny Lynch
[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Barney Ross
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Emile Griffiths
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

hope those links work...

[Haglers barber]

Serenity is a great book by Ralph Wiley (RIP)

Also good reads are

Come Out Writing (A Boxing Anthology) which is basically some of the best boxing writing comped together

Iron Mike (A Mike Tyson Reader) this book has a forward by George Plimpton and is some of the best writing on Tyson. Really good read

Roger Kahn - A Flame of Pure Fire is a book about Jack Dempsey and the 20's. Bit heavyweight but will keep you going for a few nights and if you stay with it it's good

In the Red Corner by John Duncan is an excellent read on Cuban boxing

Night Train by Nick Tosches is a good read about Liston

One book I really liked is Chris Jones - Falling Hard which is about him in his rookie year as a boxing reporter

Also as other posters have written Don McRaes book 'Dark Trade' and McIlvanney on boxing are both excellent

[ishy]

Some good suggestions here, I'll look to buy some of them. Would have recommended 4 Kings and Duran's bio but you've already them. Both excellent books.


Also, I'd like to know if there are any books which cover the history of british boxing from say the bare-knuckled era to the start of the gloved era. So a history of British boxing pre Queensbury rules.

[GPater11093]

i read ken buchannas auto biography its a brillaint read.

teddy atlas book is realing intresting he has a real intresting life

this isnt boxing but Brian Cloughs auto biography is amazing

[GazOC]

Ishy, I've asked that question in the Classic Forum and got a couple of biographies/ books recommended but no definitive history. Most of the boxing encyclopedias I've got have decent bareknuckle sections but I'd like something that digs deeper.

[eddiesammon]

i know someone as already mentioned it but just thought i'd show my support for Frank Bruno fighting back. i was going to create a thread just about this book a while ago but i never got round to it. its a good book, topics such as racism and the mental health problems make it more interesting and not just a boxing book, but the boxing aspects are very interesting too!

[bigG]

Kimball's The Four Kings stands out for one major reason ...he was THERE. He is the reason that some of you are familiar with the tales. Many of the other books in this thread were put together by good writers and good writers should never be confused with good boxing writers. Trust me.
Get a copy of Harry Mullan's Fighting Words; Dave Anderson's In the Corner; Phil Berger's Punchlines. Men that were there and wrote from heart and knowledge and not as fans.
Stick with me boys and girls. And, I nearly forgot: The Biggest Fight. Michael Watson's book. A sensational read!!!!

Adios.

total agreement bro....for me, one of the all time finest boxing writers is mclvanney..some of the articles in mclvanney on boxing are really poignant, that guy KNOW the sport and the fighters.....

..a good fiction read if you like that sort of thing is george mcdonald fraser's 'black ajax', a novel about a turn of the century african american prizefighter, set in egland and america and featuring the wonderfully amoral flashman as the manager!!....

[HairyHighlander]

In The Red Corner - John Duncan

The Paddy and The Prince - Nick Pitt

Ricky Hatton - The Hitman

Nighel Benn - Nigel Benn

Ken Buchanan The Tartan Legend

Hurricane - The Life Of Rubin Carter

Unforgiveable Blackness -Jack Johnson

Muhammad Ali - Thomas Hauser

Ones i got on the shelfs, think am missing a couple. Currently reading the Teddy Atlas book, had it ages and never got round to it, the writing and his life is damn well interesting, am half way through it and i would say it's well worth a read.
Is the John Duncan doing the cuban book, is he the aussie promoter guy ? The rest are all of different style and matter, out of what i listed i would give Kens book a miss if i had to drop one.
Seemed to be "woke up, trained, had ma tea, slept" x10. Certainly would like to know if anyone else has done a book on him of course, but this style didnt hit me much.

Good Thread :good

[NJ1979]

Ghosts of Manila by Mark Kram
Redemption Song by Mike Marqusee (interesting read about Ali and 60s politics)
Hands of Stone, as mentioned, is very good.
"In this corner..." by Peter Heller is excellent, and parts of "Come Out Writing" are fantastic (especially the piece on Beau Jack).

[GazOC]

Another vote for "In this Corner".

[gutto]

Ishy, I've asked that question in the Classic Forum and got a couple of biographies/ books recommended but no definitive history. Most of the boxing encyclopedias I've got have decent bareknuckle sections but I'd like something that digs deeper.

try claret and crossbuttocks you may have to do some hunting around for it

[gutto]

I found this today well worth a read enjoy

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[GazOC]

try claret and crossbuttocks you may have to do some hunting around for it

Cheers. I just ordered it from Amazon secondhand for £7.:good

[ishy]

Cheers for the info Gaz and Gutto :good.

[gutto]

no problem

[TBooze]

Do not think it has been mentioned but you also cannot beat your annual dose of the BBB of C Boxing Yearbook (edited by Barry J. Hughman)

This years goodies include excellent articles on Pedlar Palmer (Larry Braysher); Jack Bishop (Bob Lonkhurst); The demise of the Prize-ring (Tony Gee); Malcolm Collins (Ralph Oates).

As well as all the normal regulars including John Jarrett with the reports on British fighters Home and Away; unsurpassed detailed Obituaries by Derek O'Dell and two often google and boxrec proof quizzes.....

[AlFrancis]

Ghosts of Manila by Mark Kram
Redemption Song by Mike Marqusee (interesting read about Ali and 60s politics)
Hands of Stone, as mentioned, is very good.
"In this corner..." by Peter Heller is excellent, and parts of "Come Out Writing" are fantastic (especially the piece on Beau Jack).


This is the book that I was gonna mention, In this Corner by Peter Heller. I've read loads but this one is the tops. 40 world champions in their own words. From Pete Herman and Gunboat Smith to Joey Giardello and Jose Torres. Just great.

[Grant1]

Benn McCllenan book was good...............savage business or something like that

Cant remeber now I bought it a few years back and read it and sold it

It details everything about the fighters background and the fight

Talks about when McCllenan use to live feed labroders to his pit bulls and how he drove down and killed Flamingo birds on purpose this information caused alot of outrage with the animal rights activists

Any you must know what animal rights activists are like...........complete loons..............they threatened to bring harm to Frank ****** for attending a Gerald McCllenan fund raiser in London

Animal activists are a bit retard as they will nail bomb people etc and cause them harm and suffering in the name of animal rights

However while I am all for treating animals with diginity

Human life is more precious than animal life and they harm Human life

Retards

I think your talking about 'War, Baby' Flint.

[Dagger]

You could check out 'The Fight' by the late Norman Mailer, which charts the 'rumble in the jungle'. It might not necessarily be for the boxing purist, but it is very well written, and is rightly seen as a modern classic of non-fiction. Should be able to track it down for cheap, too.

[David UK]

The Black Lights by Thomas Hauser,arguably THE definate book about the business of boxing.

Empire of Deceit by Dean Allison and Bruce Henderson. Sensational true story of multi million dollar embezzlement to fund big fights in the 80s

War Baby by Kevin Mitchell

King of the Gypsies by Bartley Gorman.

Worst boxing book-Johnny Tapia's. Awful repetitive rubbish

[ninebar]

Some great books already mentioned here like
Hands of stone and Four Kings

Here's another few:

Angelo Dundee - My view from the corner

Irish Thunder the Hard life and times of Mickey Ward

Kings of the Ring The History of Heavyweight Boxing
(Great Book, with a piece on every great Heavyweight from the Bare knuckle beginings to Vitali Klitschko)

David Remnick - King of the World (Muhammad Ali and the rise of the American Hero)

[gasman]

Currently reading:

Ringside - a treasury of boxing reportage - Budd Schulberg.

So far this is a great read. The opening chapter on Tom Cribb v Tom Molineaux was another fascinating tale that I had never heard before.

Next one:

Unforgivable Blackness - the story of Jack Johnson.

* I am particularly interested in reading loads of books on the black boxers of yesteryear and the struggles that they endured inside and outside of the ring. Recommendations welcome....

[safc1990]

Worst boxing book-Johnny Tapia's. Awful repetitive rubbish

First negative thing I've read about Tapia's book.

Just finished Four Kings and I was fascinated to read Manny Steward saying he's basically become disillusioned with boxing today.

[Neverchair]

Any of Thomas Hausers books on boxing are great. There's a new one out on Oct 15th!

King Of The World - David Remnick

Dark Trade - Donald McRae

Night Train - Nick Tosches

The Long Round - Dominic Calder-Smith

-are also a few of my favourites!

[leighton]

The pocket rocket is a decent book Wayne McCullogh. Michael Watson Story is a good read. The worst book of the lot is Joe Calzaghe.

[TBooze]

Kings of the Ring The History of Heavyweight Boxing
(Great Book, with a piece on every great Heavyweight from the Bare knuckle beginings to Vitali Klitschko)



Surely that is an oxymoron?;)

[nickythekid]

my view from the corner by angelo dundee. enjoyed it, purely his take on big events he has been involved with pastrano, basilio, ali, foreman, leonard etc
cool thread , theres a few books on here i want to get, has anyone read 'the fearless harry greb' .....anygood?

[Jack Dempsey]

Just reading Tex Rickards biography 'The Magnificent Rube' (no I don't know what it means either)

Cracking read, what an amazing life he led prior to becoming boxings biggest promoter, he was a gambler, saloon owner, Marshal and a gold prospector really interesting stuff

Just finished Beyond Glory about the Louis Schmeling bouts, some say its a hatchet job on Max and that 'Ring of Hate' is better, although I didnt find it as hard on Max as I thought it would be, and that it contained a lot more detail on the events outside the ring during that era than the other book on the subject

[gasman]

Just reading Tex Rickards biography 'The Magnificent Rube' (no I don't know what it means either)

Cracking read, what an amazing life he led prior to becoming boxings biggest promoter, he was a gambler, saloon owner, Marshal and a gold prospector really interesting stuff

Just finished Beyond Glory about the Louis Schmeling bouts, some say its a hatchet job on Max and that 'Ring of Hate' is better, although I didnt find it as hard on Max as I thought it would be, and that it contained a lot more detail on the events outside the ring during that era than the other book on the subject

What did it say about the support for Louis in the first fight. I remember The Fight BBC documentary showing little support for Louis and rampant applause for Schmeling. In Budd Schulbergs book - Ringside - he states that there was good support for Louis in the first fight????

[Jack Dempsey]

What did it say about the support for Louis in the first fight. I remember The Fight BBC documentary showing little support for Louis and rampant applause for Schmeling. In Budd Schulbergs book - Ringside - he states that there was good support for Louis in the first fight????

There was good support for Joe from the black community obviously, white America was divided, Max had support in the US even in the rematch, I know history paints it as the American vs the Nazi, but there were many Americans supporting Schmeling.

Louis was treated as a hype job after his defeat to Schmeling and slated by both white and black press alike, funny how the same things happen today with people building up fighters only to slate them after a defeat and claim they were never as great as THEY had claimed them to be in the first place!!

[Jack Dempsey]

Also just got Kevin 'War Baby' Mitchells new book about Jacobs Beach and the boxing era of the 30s-50's, organised crime, Mike Jacobs and Madison Squre Garden, cant wait to start it

[gasman]

There was good support for Joe from the black community obviously, white America was divided, Max had support in the US even in the rematch, I know history paints it as the American vs the Nazi, but there were many Americans supporting Schmeling.

Louis was treated as a hype job after his defeat to Schmeling and slated by both white and black press alike, funny how the same things happen today with people building up fighters only to slate them after a defeat and claim they were never as great as THEY had claimed them to be in the first place!!

Interesting, I must read that book as well, it was an intriguing socio-political context to those bouts. Very sad end to Louis days though...

[ed robinson]

I've just finished 'The Years of the Locust' by Jon Hotten and I'd really recommend it. I bought it on the strength of a good review by George Zeleny - it's about journeyman heavyweight Tim 'The Doc' Anderson, who once fought Derek Williams here, his larger than life corrupt promoter and eventually a murder. Some familiar big names keep cropping up, Arum, King...

The Duran book, Four Kings and War Baby are also recent favourites.

[gasman]

Also just got Kevin 'War Baby' Mitchells new book about Jacobs Beach and the boxing era of the 30s-50's, organised crime, Mike Jacobs and Madison Squre Garden, cant wait to start it

Yeah I have to get this too, I remember it being mentioned on Buncey's radio show, I have read a few tasters on the whole MSG and Mike Jacobs (decent coverage in Budd Schulbergs - Ringside), but it needs a whole book to do this story justice, gotta order Mitchells book today....

[Jack Dempsey]

Interesting, I must read that book as well, it was an intriguing socio-political context to those bouts. Very sad end to Louis days though...


True and that's one of the issues I had with the book, their later careers are covered off in the last 10 pages of a 350 page book, but I suppose the book is mainly about their two fight rivalry and is not really meant to be biography of the fighters

[Chinny]

I couldn't recommend 'Boxing Confidential' by Jim Brady highly enough. It is sensational.

It gets behind the fights and digs right into the corruption and weasiling behind the scenes through the 20th century right up to the present day.

The chapter on the IBF wiretaps is absolute dynamite.

Do yourself a huge favour and buy it. I got it off amazon - in fact I'm the only one to review it on there. Honestly chaps you will not regret it.

[HeavyT]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

and he STILL hasn't realised it... :good

[Chinny]

I couldn't recommend 'Boxing Confidential' by Jim Brady highly enough. It is sensational.

It gets behind the fights and digs right into the corruption and weasiling behind the scenes through the 20th century right up to the present day.

The chapter on the IBF wiretaps is absolute dynamite.

Do yourself a huge favour and buy it. I got it off amazon - in fact I'm the only one to review it on there. Honestly chaps you will not regret it.

in fact it is lying around ready to be given to charity or something so if anyone wants it PM me first come first served and I'll send it on

[telboy66]

Currently reading:

Ringside - a treasury of boxing reportage - Budd Schulberg.

So far this is a great read. The opening chapter on Tom Cribb v Tom Molineaux was another fascinating tale that I had never heard before.

Next one:

Unforgivable Blackness - the story of Jack Johnson.

* I am particularly interested in reading loads of books on the black boxers of yesteryear and the struggles that they endured inside and outside of the ring. Recommendations welcome....

Try "Battling Siki" by Peter Benson. one mans battle in & out of the ring also for those who wish to know the dark side of how boxing run " boxing confidential" by Jim Brady a terrific read

[Jack Dempsey]

Also just got Kevin 'War Baby' Mitchells new book about Jacobs Beach and the boxing era of the 30s-50's, organised crime, Mike Jacobs and Madison Squre Garden, cant wait to start it

Well I'm a few pages into this one and so far quite a lot of factual errors, Max Baers career ending in 1938 when he fought on into the 40's, having him die in 1962 it was 1959, saying there was a statue of Diana on top of MSG I when it was on MSG II, hope theres not a load of other factual errors in here as it undermines the content of what should be a really good book

[Geiger]

Haven't read through this whole thread so this may be a repost...

Arthur Mercante - Inside the Ropes

[turpinr]

I couldn't recommend 'Boxing Confidential' by Jim Brady highly enough. It is sensational.

It gets behind the fights and digs right into the corruption and weasiling behind the scenes through the 20th century right up to the present day.

The chapter on the IBF wiretaps is absolute dynamite.

Do yourself a huge favour and buy it. I got it off amazon - in fact I'm the only one to review it on there. Honestly chaps you will not regret it.
:goodi'll second that.tim witherspoon ended up with about 7p after cuddly don king and his family had flea fucked him from his victory over frank bruno

[CharlieGarbs]

Just about to start on James J. Braddock - Cinderella Man. Will let you know what it's like!:good

[williams7383]

Johnny Nelsons, just for the fact theres a chapter called "someone is shagging your dog"

[gasman]

Anyone read "McIlvanney On Boxing". Simply going by Hugh McIlvanney's standing as a boxing and sports writer, tt must be a good read?

[Flea Man]

Just bought the Greb book, 30 quid is quite steep but it's gonna be a fascinating read.

Gonna get the Langford one next, cheap on Amazon now.

[Flea Man]

Johnny Nelsons, just for the fact theres a chapter called "someone is shagging your dog"

:lol:

[Dan684]

Someone is shagging your dog is a good chapter in a good book. Nelson was alright as a pundit but he must have been told to tune it down or summat as he now just follows the other muppets. He used to disagree wuite a lot with them

[FIGHTER2R]

Rocky grazianos bio, somebody up there likes me.

[Flea Man]

Anyone read Boxings Brainiest Champion about Tunney? Is it really biased? It sounds interesting, detailing both Tunney and Dempseys career and how they met.

Got the Greb one on the way, thanks to the earlier recomendation I just ordered Lynch's for 75p on Amazon!

[gasman]

Well I'm a few pages into this one and so far quite a lot of factual errors, Max Baers career ending in 1938 when he fought on into the 40's, having him die in 1962 it was 1959, saying there was a statue of Diana on top of MSG I when it was on MSG II, hope theres not a load of other factual errors in here as it undermines the content of what should be a really good book

Have you finished Jacobs Beach yet? What did you think? I have ordered it and I should have it the next day or two. I am looking forward to this one, it deals with a fascinating boxing era.....

[Mr Butt]

i have not read all the thread so if someone else has already said corner men
by ronald k.fried

[Jack Dempsey]

Have you finished Jacobs Beach yet? What did you think? I have ordered it and I should have it the next day or two. I am looking forward to this one, it deals with a fascinating boxing era.....

Half way through, got some good stuff in there about this whole era, the exploitation of fighters namely Joe Louis, some interesting stuff about MSG and its Ring that was retired recently, most of the mob related stuff I've read before in Boxing Confidential (done better I might add) hopefully it warms up towards the end.

And still the factual errors come thick and fast! Nikolas Valuev?

[safc1990]

Irish Thunder the Hard life and times of Mickey Ward

my vida loca johny tapia

Nigel Benn - Nigel Benn

Ghosts of Manila by Mark Kram

Looking for a Fight: How a Writer Took on the Boxing World - From the Inside
by David Matthews (Author).

It's a true story followng the journey of one man (David Matthews) who decides to cast aside the drudgery of his meaningless and unchallenging day to day existence, and began a two-year training programme so he could have one professional fight. I really enjoyed the book and at times found it quite inspirational...

Well it's almost Christmas and I'm looking for a few books to put on my list. The ones I've quoted are books I'd be particularly interested to hear any reviews on. :good

Also if there's any chance of finding a copy of 'Life and Times of Don King' without paying extortionate prices (how ironic) I'd be very grateful.

[johnny5]

I see theres a new Tommy Hearns book out in December called 'Hit Man', anyone read any reviews??

[NO MAS]

I am sure sometime ago I saw a thread regarding recommended books to read..Are there a few threads on here?...:think

Anyone help...:think

[chatty]

Raging Bull - Jake La motta. - Makes the film look crap, not all about boxing but nough incite for fans of boxing and one of the best twists in any book of all time. The guys really honest which is one of the reasons i really liked his book.

teddy Atlas - good book, good incite into Tysons early years as well as some really funny hijinks in there (loved the fight with the Italian).

Peerless - Sugar Ray robinson - documents robinsons career really well, bit sad as it documents his decline into ill health though

larry holmes - cant remember the name but its his autobiography, a book i didnt think id enjoy that much but i couldnt put it down once i picked it up, i was like a zombie for about two days.

Jack Johnson - only read half but its a real interesting read, its long and quite time consuming but im finding it worth it so far.

Theres a good book about Tyson by Reg Guitteridge that was really good but it only goes up to the time he was sentenced in jail but i still enjoyed it even though it was a bit dated
I got Benns, Listons and jimmy doyles there to read next. I bought the tragic lives of randolph turpin and freddie mills which i was looking forward to but amazon lost it in the post.

I would avoid Hattons and Calzaghes books i found them both boring and hatton sounds silly shouting about how hes gonna ko mayweather all through the book now too

[GazOC]

I've read Calzaghes and its not bad (not great either) but I've not read Hattons. I can't see the point in reading an "autobiography" about a fighter half way through his career. Like those books Wayne Rooney did in his early 20s....

[TFFP]

I've read Calzaghes and its not bad (not great either) but I've not read Hattons. I can't see the point in reading an "autobiography" about a fighter half way through his career. Like those books Wayne Rooney did in his early 20s....
He kicked balls around on the streets like. :yep

And err...yeah

[GazOC]

He didn't even mention his granny shagging exploits....

[doug.ie]

i'm reading the new kirkland laing book by oliver jarrett.

its a good book and the author comes across as a pretty decent fella too.

[gasman]

I am about to start:

Eubank - the autobiography


*Anyone read it - is it a good read?