Writing "Sorcery": an author's tale

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SorceryatCaesar, Aug 10, 2008.


  1. SorceryatCaesar

    SorceryatCaesar Leonard-Hagler author Full Member

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    Aug 3, 2008

    cocking a snook?

    yes, there's a section on judge selection. if the Petronellis had done their homework on Gibbs, they would have known he gave Duran the nod in Leonard-Duran 1. So obviously he would not have been biased toward boxers.
     
  2. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Interesting

    My take on it is quite different and based soley upon watching for signs of wear, slowing of the reflexes, and strong decline. Ray Leonard had already had a history of pushing for fights with a damaged or handicapped opponent (Duran 2) and attempted through an edict to bring Marvin down to a svelte 154 pounds.

    leonard deliberately avoided for 5 years Marvin waiting for the opposition to soften him up. He tried to make a comeback in 1984, encouraged by Duran's performance or rather, Hagler's non-performance.

    Unfortunately, Ray would lose confidence due to what happened in the Howard fight. I'm not sure Ray would have been the best challenger for him based on what I saw.

    But he gained new hope after watching a surprisingly competitive Mugabi tear up Marvin (due to a tremendous slowdown) and out of the blue, called him out.

    I watched Marvin in sparring 3 weeks prior to the fight itself v. weaver tripplets and saw Marvin was through as a fighter he never touched them and even once fell thru the ropes attempting a wild swing with his right hand. Most of the time he just spent covering from no stop flurries. Weavers 1 & 2 were especially impressive.

    I didnt know at the time how well conditioned Leonard was but based on what I saw in training, anyone who could do what the Weavers had done to Hagler in their three 3 minute rounds for 12 rounds would beat him on points.
     
  3. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I don't often buy hard covers -but this book will be an exception.
     
  4. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    I think I shall purchase a copy myself.
     
  5. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I just did... and it's out in paperback.

    Has anyone read "Champ in the Corner" -about Ray Arcel?
     
  6. SorceryatCaesar

    SorceryatCaesar Leonard-Hagler author Full Member

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    I plan to. Arcel was still active when I started on the boxing beat. He was one of the finest gentlemen I've ever met - incredibly sharp for a man in his 80s - and smart. I wish I had taken more time to listen to his personal history. One story I recall is about how he got whacked over the head outside of Boston Garden after a card in the 1950s. He wasn't sure who did it, but suspected it was a message from somebody in boxing. Seriously injured - he was laid up for quite a while.
     
  7. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Arcel was arranging fights for ABC-TV and the IBC was feeling the pinch. Frankie Carbo was behind the IBC at that point (~53) and so Arcel got piped in the head and that was it for him for 20 years. The thought of some animal hitting that class act with a lead pipe is beyond words.
     
  8. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    :lol:

    You just had to
     
  9. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    That was actually a good post by the Rooster. I thought so anyway.
     
  10. SorceryatCaesar

    SorceryatCaesar Leonard-Hagler author Full Member

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    Aug 3, 2008
    you could tell weavers 1 and 2 from weaver 3? impressive. even their mother had a hard time.
     
  11. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I don't know Floyd from Troy or Roy. It's the order they were brought in to spar-1,2,3. Do you know if they ever turned pro?
     
  12. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Boxrec lists Floyd and Troy turning pro, the former as a MW, the latter as a LHW.
     
  13. Cmoyle

    Cmoyle Active Member Full Member

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    I finished the book last night. It was one I really looked forward to reading because I was a big Hagler fan and I was anxious to learn more about what transpired before, during, and after this fight. I enjoyed it very much, a very entertaining read. For whatever reason I hadn't heard about the substance abuse by both fighters, and how ironic was it that the English official that Hagler's group rejected later revealed that he would have scored the bout 8-4 in Hagler's favor, and that the official who took his place scored it in favor of Leonard?

    I was very disappointed when Hagler lost this fight, but thought his strategy in the early rounds was disasterous. I wasn't as bitter about the outcome as Hagler, who could be, but I will say I enjoyed watching Norris dominate Leonard a few years later. Leonard waited for Hagler to pass his prime before tackling him, so I thought it was only fair he got a taste of his own medicine down the road.

    But this post is about this book. I highly recommend it, anyone who has any interest at all in the Hagler-Leonard fight, or about either man for that matter, will really enjoy the read, and come away with a lot more insight concerning their fight, and both men in general.
     
  14. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    I have yet to see a bad review for this book.