I haven’t read it and was kind of guided away from reading it. Compton’s book is fantastic, and Springs Toledo’s is just fantastic literature. I highly recommend both of those. I may check Paxton’s out still though. I’m not one of those “you only need to read this book” on a fighter. If a fighter is great and his story compelling, I welcome multiple books. I’ve read 4-5 on Frazier, The Fab Four etc; etc;
I picture Greb as more Michael Hunter Sr. Or Naseem Hamed, without the power. (If you can imagine Hamed without power.) Awkward style. Weird angles. Moved a lot. Usually landed more punches in a round than his opponents but without much pop on them because he had another fight tomorrow. And, in the era of no-decisions, that was good enough to get the nod by writers most nights. But, like Michael Hunter Sr fights, most people never wanted to watch them again by the time the final bell rang. Which is why there aren't Greb fights to watch. Likely very frustrating viewing. (LOL) I think most of the shine will come off if/when there are films to watch. Likely he just had a style/formula that worked for him in that era which allowed him to fight so often. He wasn't trading and taking beatings or punching hard enough to hurt his hands most nights, or he'd miss out on the next payday. Like I said, probably frustrating for most fans to watch. The last thing I imagine when I think of Greb is a boxer in a classic sense. By most accounts, he certainly wasn't that. Now, people can just imagine he's anything they want him to be, like they are in this thread.
I dunno, nobody else could do this like him, & everyone was free to try. He did get rocked by some like Tunney, fought him & others when they were somewhat larger than him, & so had quite a chin. If he fough as seldom as modern fighters who need not save their energy, hands or body like that, he likely would have hit harder. He landed many blows from all directions, so maybe it was a crowd *pleasing* style. Regardless, fighting all comers, many champs, bigger guys, doubtless in many small rings with so much success ... I think he had to be Historically Great.
Smaller, quicker, better-balanced Calzaghe I think. Worth mentioning though that Greb though judges preferred to see a more straight-backed style and apparently did "box" more in accordance with custom on occasions.
Douglas Cavanaugh, who wrote "Pittsburgh Boxing: A Pictorial History", which had some assistance from Compton, has run a relevant Facebook page that includes all sorts of snippets about Greb that help paint a more detailed picture about Greb's style and personality: https://www.facebook.com/pittsburghboxing
Bonavena book is out now. A good friend of mine is the author. I started reading it the other day. So far so good.
Agreed, a much better and detailed book by far, my interpretation of his style ( from what I have read ) would be a cross between Hamed and Pryor, a most confusing fighter to face. keep well.
My friend wrote his first book just published. Patrick Conner. Its part True Crime part Boxing. Its called A Shot At A Brothel. The murder of Bonavena at the infamous Mustang Ranch. Joe Convorte is covered thoroughly. I can tell you its a good read. I didn't want it to end.