'Bhumibols Battlers: The Boxers of Thailand' by Fleaman Mack is, I've been reliably informed by a man from the future, incredible.
I heard about this Fleaman Mack read the book sadly the book seemed to focus on fleaman macks sexual encounters with said boxers on a trip to Thailand in early 2012 and during 2013. His gratuitous description of how he took advantage of these old lions under the guise of being a boxing reporter really detracted from what was really a fascinating subject :verysad
Where to begin......its better i dont. Regarding how he gets a bit involved, for me....isnt such a bad thing. Considering ya get books that talk of young xxxxx growing up for 4 chapters till he went down the gym. .......or swam **** and sparred for twelve. If theres a boxing bible.....then that books defo on the same shelf.....easy.
I liked McRae being part of the story because it's about how boxing and the boxers make him feel. All the stuff about how it ties in with his life is important in that. Most of us will have a similar story, but few will put it so powerfully as McRae. The stuff about Toney, Jones and Oscar is worth admission alone. Very few people have gotten close to the façades and seen beneath them. But I accept it's preference. Four Kings, while an excellent book, got a little dry because I couldn't find the emotional core of it. Kimball was undoubtedly better as a features writer rather than a long-form scribe. McIlvanney is brilliant and that's a fine collection, but it doesn't have the throughline of Dark Trade. I like individual pieces in it, but I wouldn't say the book is more than a beautifully written travelogue.
My most vivid memory of this book is McRae's social life and his wife or girlfriend. Maybe that says something about me.
Most vivid memory for me was Jones Jr's training regimin/slave labour camp as a kid. That tells you quite a lot about nature vs nurture.