Best boxing books you've read?

In The Ring With James Corbett

by Adam Pollack.

 

The Gloves: A Boxing Chronicle by Robert Anasi

One of the best books I've read

 

The last boxing book I read was Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran. A very good book.

 

I agree that diehard Ali fans will find 'Ghosts of Manilla' hard to swallow. I am a big Ali fan myself, and also a fan of Thomas Hauser's Ali biography (the best single volume on Ali, IMHO). HOWEVER, it must be said that although Hauser tries to be comprehensive and balanced, his obvious love for Ali prevents him from revealing some of Ali's darker side. He doesn't mention one of Ali's wives and daughters who were treated shabbily by Ali, for example. It's as if they didn't exist, according to Hauser.

Now Kram is on the other end of the spectrum. He interviews both mother and daughter at length. I think it is too hard to say Kram actively hates Ali...Kram seems to me like a man who may be cynical, but tells it as he sees it. He knew Ali very well during his glory years, liked parts of Ali's character, is a real boxing expert and a fine writer, so his opinions deserve to be listened to...even if you choose to disagree with them.

As I say, I am a big Ali fan, and my favorite Ali book is Hausers. But I do value Krams alternative viewpoint, even if I find it harsh in places. I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.

 

I know this is a bit off subject, but as long as we're talking about books, I strongly recommend the novel " The unmaking of a latin King" By Reymundo Sanchez. It's a book that discusses the true life story of a Chicago gangster in the 70's and 80's.

Good read.

 

After "Corner Men" by Ronald K. Fried there was another book about famous boxing trainers published: "Ringmasters" by Dave Anderson. It is more about modern trainers (Emanuel Steward, George Benton etc.).

 

Yeah, good book.

Muhammad Ali - In fighters heaven. Very interesting read as well.

 

Anything by W C Heinz,AJ leibling,or Hugh Mcillvanney is great.

 

To be exact: Kevin Rooney, Goody Petronelli, Angelo Dundee, George Benton, Jackie McCoy, Ray Arcel, Bill Slayton, Lou Duva, Emanuel Steward, Gil Clancy, Eddie Futch, Richie Giachetti.

 

As McVey posted, you can't got wrong with anything W.C. Heinz wrote. If his novel, "The Professional," is still in print, it's a must read -- flat-out, the best boxing novel ever.

The last chapter will stun ya.

 

As Hemingway said the best fictional book on boxing written,and IMO it still is!

 

Charley Burley, The Life & Hard Times of an Uncrowned Champion

 

"THE DEVIL AND SONNY LISTON"

by NICK TOSCHES. GREAT BOOK ABOUT LISTON!!!

TOSCHES IS A FANTASTIC WRITER AND YOU JUST
WANT TO READ THE BOOK AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!