Boxing Book Recommendations

Some great books mentioned here, "Dark Trade" etc which I think has become a boxing classic.
Two books I can highly recommend are "On The Ropes" and "The Shadows Of Boxing: Prince Naseem And Those He Left Behind" both by Geoffery Beattie.
They are superbly insightful of the boxing boom that hit Sheffield from the late 80's through to the mid '90s, starting with Herol Graham right through to the rise and fall of Naz. The author gives superb, first hand accounts of his experiences and observations and it gives you a real sense of being there throughout and seeing the grittiness behind the glitz. Very enjoyable reading.

Also Dan684 mentioned the Johnny Nelson autobiography which I find to be one of the better autobiographies out there. Very funny book, just by the chapter titles alone! The Hatton, Calzaghe, etc, books just read like press releases really but Johnny has real colour and charm to his character.

The Michael Watson book also previously mentioned is an absloute belter of a read. It's criminal if that's out of print as has been stated. Very inspiring, Michael takes us on the dark journey that he endured and how he overcame the odds and never gave up. The strength of the man's soul and spirit is out of this world. I'm lucky enough to have a signed copy Michael signed for me last year, and whilst not exactly the most literary, artful work of prose ever written, it certainly is one of the most inspiring and moving things I have ever read.

Axl mentioned "Becoming Holyfield", and I pretty much agree with his view on it. It's just Evander talking about his faith and his belief in all things good, with no real meat and bones to the things we'd really like to read about. If you want to read a decent book that centres around Holyfield then I recommend "The Holyfield Way" by Jim Thomas, Evander's former manager. It gives great insight to the various behind-the-scenes negotiations with guys like Don King, and focusses more so on the business side of boxing and Evander's career, but is highly enjoyable and a bit of an eye opener in places.

The Benn/Eubank bios are a decent read, as is Teddy Atlas', which is probably my favourite autobiography I've read to date.
I have to confess I wasn't all that impressed with "Hands Of Stone" to be honest. It seemed there was way too much padding out in there with the author going into too much detail about people who weren't really that important in the story. Became a bit of a drag in places. Somebody who was the cousin of a bloke that once knew Roberto Duran's brother in law's friend's uncle, then we get to learn that person's history and life story, etc. (Okay bit of an exaggeration but I think you get my meaning). However when it did focus on Duran it was a great read. Just think it could have been whittled down some.

One of my favourite authors is Thomas Hauser, and I love books of his such as "Chaos, Corruption, Courage And Glory", "I Don't Believe It, But It's True: A Year In Boxing" and "The Greatest Sport Of All" for their widely varied subjects within the sport from the boxers, to the managers, promoters, tv companies, governing bodies, etc and the detailed behind the scenes look at them.

Just purchased "Sorcery At Cesars" and shall delve into that very soon, then will probably go for "Four Kings", as that seems to have a lot of positive feedback. I've been trying for several years to find a copy of "Gentleman Of The Ring", the biography of Jack Petersen by Bob Lonkhurst. However it appears to be out of print and I can only find the odd copy priced in triple figures (!). I did have Lonkhurst's address supplied to me to contact him regarding getting hold of a copy, but unfortunately my computer died and that info was lost.

 

Any of the Thomas Hauser books that he releases every year containing all of his articles from the preceeding 12 months

The Boxing Scene
Greatest Sport of All
Year at the Fights
Chaos Corruption Courage & Glory
View from Ringside

 

I really enjoyed 'Unforgivable Blackness' about Jack Johnson which was a great insight into the man and his times. Likewise the book about Jem Mace. (Which I have forgotten the name of).

I liked Mama's Boy as well.

 

You beat me to it, I finished this a few days ago. I loved it and recommend it highly to anyone.

Although some of the articles were semi familiar from reading them at the time it is great to get the old mans thoughts on modern fighters and some of his insider insights from back in the day are fascinating.

He has a gift for putting all the chaos and BS in context beautifully.

There are very few books I re-read but this will be one of them.

 

An early heads up...next Spring my boxing novel, The Fixer, will be published by Mainstream.

Adios.

 

I'm hoping for a 2 week holiday around June/July next year and will buy a copy to read on the beach with me!

 

Bunce - A novelist ? Whatever next ????

 

Audley Harrison, a boxer?

 

Ha Ha - Thats already happened (In the Ams at least) I said what next

 

Sounds like you've decided on a theme which will shine love and credibility all over our fight game Mr Bunce!!

I want to read your Michael Watson book so please let the forum know if it gets another print run

 

Chinny here is a link to Amazon - its on here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=michael+Watson

 

Cheers! Looks like I'll try and get both then. I think I'll have a look on ebay and sites like that to see if I can find Michael Watson's book if it is out of print.:good

 

Look above your post Grievesy

 

Dark trade is without question my favorite.

Reading soul of a butterfly at present though.

 

Cheers!:good

And I can get his and Nigel Benn's book together for £10.99. Quality!