Looking for suggestions on Classic Boxing Books

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by KO KIDD, Jan 11, 2013.


  1. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    I am almost done with Hands of Stone and it is fantastic though its tough to say whats true and whats myth

    I was in BN the other day and looked at Mancini's book and Hard Luck about Quarry, which book is better?

    also is there a good full history of the heavyweight title or just a good one on heavyweights pre film so like before Dempsey and such

    is there a good book about the 1960's HWT tourney

    any good suggestions not asked such as specific books or writers
     
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Pollack's stuff is pretty amazing. He weaves accounts from periodicals of the day to give a real feel and appreciation for the early heavy champs. Moyle's Langford book is really good. If you haven't read Liebling, start there.
     
  3. Skins

    Skins Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Four Kings, about the fights between Leonard, Hagler, Duran and Hearns. Can't think of the author off the top of my head, but you can google it. Great book
     
  4. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    I know they made Facing Ali is there a Facing Tyson?
     
  5. JudgeDredd

    JudgeDredd Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yes
     
  6. RockysSplitNose

    RockysSplitNose Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The best boxing book I ever read was "Boxings Mr President - The Story of The World heavyweight championship" by a writer called bill beadle - not sure what the board rules are about posting links these days but look for it in the obvious places online - I implore every boxing history fan to read that book
     
  7. BeerGut

    BeerGut Member Full Member

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    I was very disappointed with the Quarry book, definitely wouldn't recommend it.
     
  8. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    He and Chuvalo are my two favorite heavies to not win the title

    i would want to read a book on both at some point

    so Hard Luck wasnt that good damn
     
  9. BeerGut

    BeerGut Member Full Member

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    The author kept using this strange slang which I didn't understand:

    "Chuvalo brought his lunch-box"

    "Quarry ate Buster's lunch"

    "get busy spending some real cabbage"

    .... and so on throughout the book!

    Factual errors like getting Mac Foster mixed up for Bob Foster, etc

    Quarry was an interesting subject but this book just didn't deliver for me. :bbb
     
  10. KernowWarrior

    KernowWarrior Bob Fitzsimmons much bigger brother. Full Member

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    Agree with the slang/Americanisms used.

    However what always ruins things for me are factual errors, as if obvious facts are wrong then what other less obvious ones are.

    Quarry was a excellent subject to do a book on, i was rather disappointed with outcome.
     
  11. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    W.C. Heinz's novel THE PROFESSIONAL, that Hemingway said was the best boxing novel he ever read.

    Every character in it is a thinly disguised real fighter, trainer, or boxing personality. You might enjoy figuring out who they are.
     
    mcvey likes this.
  12. MadcapMaxie

    MadcapMaxie Guest

    Currently reading "In the Ring with James J. Jeffries" If you have even the slightest interest in learning more about the man it's the book for you. Over 600 pages very detailed, good deal of insight, first hand accounts and pictures.
     
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  13. the_bigunit

    the_bigunit Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Start with the greatest (Robinson, not so much the book)

    Sweet Thunder: The Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson by Wil Haywood.
     
    ETM likes this.
  14. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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  15. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    ETM likes this.