Cinderella Man by Jeremy Schaap. Not to be confused by that awful and inaccurate movie made by opie, that book is an accurate masterpiece, IMO, by Schaap. It tells the truth about not only the character of Jim Braddock, but also Max Baer, who was so unjustly slandered in that movie of opie's.
"The Fight" by Norman Mailer, narrating the "Rumble in the Jungle", is a must read classic. I know that Mailer was in a very bad ego trip, writing as much about himself as he did about Ali and George together, but the book is still a classic and a great read
I have a few autobiographies.... Ricky Hatton Joe Calzaghe Frank Bruno Frank Maloney Johnny Nelson Hatton's and Calzaghe's (esp Calzaghe's) were pretty weak, full of the stuff you expected and not actually going into much detail about themselves as people. Johnny Nelson's was very insightful, giving details about how he was unable to get into the gym the Monday after drawing with Carlos de Leon for people wanting to get in the ring and spar with him. It also details his difficult relationships with family members and fellow fighters, in particular Naseem Hamed and Herol Graham. Frank Bruno's book is a fairly good read, better than I expected actually. Mainly going over his career and relationships with his family and also his long term battles with depression. Frank Maloney's book is full of humour, detailing how he almost got into boxing by accident, working for Frank Warren as a trainer before going it alone and managing to pull off a miracle and sign Lennox Lewis. Stories about affairs with women, failed businesses, his brother's trouble with the Police etc.
Has anyone on here read Johnny Tapia's book? I'd love to read that, as well as Michael Gomez's book when it eventually comes out.
Agree completely. This is the first boxing book that caught my attention and I still list it as my favorite.
Not read it all yet. First couple of chapters. The author, Brian Hughes, has one coming out on Thomas Hearns. It's due for release anytime now.
yeh it is a good book especially the first few chapters that are basically stories from the NY fight game in the 50s-60s, very good stuff there then it basically goes on about Ali-Leonard-Foreman for the rest of the book with some golden nuggets added in espcially how he developed the strategy for Leoanrd vs Hagler. Its great for boxing fans wanting to know abit about the fight game in the NY 50s-60s with all the legendary trainers or if you want to know about Ali-Leonard-Foreman. But if you want to know about angelo Dundee there must be a better book. He hardly speaks about himself at all. afew others i have read The Four Kings by George Kimball - Excellant book Hands Of Stone by Christian Giudice - A great book on a great fighter Eye of The Tiger by Frank Bruno - Bruno is honest and it makes an alright book No Ordinary Joe by Joe Calzaghe - An alright auto biography abit generic Hatton: My Story by Ricky Hatton - ditto A Boy From Bolton by Amir Khan - an alright book about Amir Khan but there isnt alot about boxing in it King Of The World by David Remnick - a good book about Muhammed Ali but also contains alot about the politics of boxing in the 50s and 60s and the mafia involvement with Liston The 12 Greatest Rounds Of Boxing By Dr Ferdie Pacheco - A surprisingly good book as Ferdie comes across as loving the sport and gives a few intresting nuggets about the fights/rounds he is writing about Chris Eubank: The Autobiography by Chris Eubank - i liked it it was a good book and about Eubank and he comes across as likeable and a respectable man Atlas: From the streets To the Ring: A Boys struggle to become a man by Teddy Atlas - A good book Atlas is honest in it and his boxing knowledge is good and he has had a very interesting life to say the least. The Tartan Legend by Ken Buchanan - One of my favrouite books it is realy good Buchanan is funny and likeable as well as honest and provides his own account of his boxing career in good detail The Heavyweights by Bob Mee - A pretty comprehensive list of every important Heavyweigth since the MoQ rules came about. It includes stats about evry fighter and a small bio.
A good Scotsman like yourself should have "McIllvanney on Boxing". Easily one of best boxing writers ever. Terrific book.