Writing "Sorcery": an author's tale

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.

 

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

 

I think I shall purchase a copy myself.

 

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

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

 

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.

 

You just had to

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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