I'm not sure what your particular interests in the sport are or what fighters you may like to read about, but if you're into history and are looking for a broad based book that features a number of different boxers from the past, Peter Heller's "In This Corner" has always been one of my favourites and would highly recommend it as each chapter includes a different fighter (30+ in all) and the story told is largely written from the words of the fighters themselves. That one is pretty old though, having been originally written in 1972 (there's an updated version that is still quite old, I believe). If you're looking for some more recent works; Bert Sugar's latest "Boxing's Greatest Fighters" is also a pretty good read along the same lines, as he ranks what he sees as the 100 greatest fighters, which includes a short writeup on each (not in too much detail, though, as expected with a ranking that deep). Beware of Bert's tendency to 'story tell' though. If you're looking for a bio on one particular fighter, of recent reads in the last couple of years, I very much enjoyed Jeremy Schaap's "Cinderella Man", as it was well written, and with all the sources listed in the back, is also trustworthy of being an accuarte account of Braddock, his life and career. Ummm, Thomas Myler's book called "The Sweet Science Goes Sour" was an enjoyable read, as it attempts to help explain some of the great controversies throughout history, giving each story it's own chapter with 14 or so chapters in all.
Im a huge Ali fan and have most of the books ever written on him, lots of different styles and topics but one stands out to me and is an awesome take on probably the worlds most well known fight The Rumble In The Jungle. Its a fantastic book, its called THE FIGHT, its by NORMAN MAILER, its brilliantly written by Norman who was in Africa and around both fighters during the build up and spent a lot of time with Ali while he was training. You get a feel for being there as he gives you a real fly-on-the-wall take, things like jogging with Ali through Africa are not something many people can say they exeperienced ya know. He was ringside for the fight and gives a brilliant take on it round by round. I dont know what Era your into but honestly all in all its a fantastic read and im sure you would enjoy it.
This isnt just one of the best boxing books ever written but one of the best books ! Honestly you wont find a better boxing read but check out Rope Burns by FX O'Toole too its short stories so a bit easier going than the somewhat cerebral Mailer ( but dont let that put you off ! )
I remember reading that years ago, and you're right, it is a good read by a wonderful writer. Another book that is largely focused on the Ali/Foreman fight is George Plimpton's "Shadow Box", which spends nearly half the book speaking about the fight and the going-ons surrounding it, and was also written by a writer who was there in attendance (although quickly leafing through it, I don't see a round-by-round). It also covers plenty of other stuff too (plenty of other Ali stuff, and some interesting stories in regards to history), with some of it's focus being centered around Plimpton's own experience in getting into the ring with Archie Moore for a sparring session.
Yeh cracking read, like Govanmauler said its a great book not just a great boxing book... Plimpton is a very good writer, those guys have been lucky enough to be around many great fighters and at great fights, such is there depth of knowledge now through their Journalism that you find most of those guys get consulted on films / documentaries. I think Mailer died last year or a year or two ago, not sure for a fact though....good writer.
Yeah sadly he died just before my birthday last year ( 10th of Nov I think ! ) I've tried to read Armies of the Night twice but without the boxing angle I find his writing tough. It makes one feel like an idiot sometimes ( which is no bad thing ! ) I love Mailer and Plimptons parts in When we were Kings , they really make the movie for me , Ali aside of course ! )
Good call mate, thats a class film, really brilliant, i heard somewhere that the footage and all the film work in that was nearly never seen as it had been lost or something since the 70's, and was only found in some archive somewhere..... So they remastered it and contacted the relevant parties for interviews etc and put it together. Is this right do you know, if so what a find, footage like that of Ali / Foreman and the whole thing would have been a sorry miss..
Here's a few that i've ready lately Rope Burns (Million Dollar Baby) by F.X. Toole: Short stories by a cut-man. One of the short stories spawned the movie million dollar baby. I'm not a huge fan of fiction but this I was glued to this. A fighter's heart by Sam Sheridan: Not strictly boxing, it's one man's journey around the world to fight in many diciplines. Very interesting read. No Ordinary Joe by Joe Calzaghe: I'm a fan of Joe so I would have bought this no matter what but it was a cracking read too. A great behind the scenes look and very honest. Hard Road To Glory by Johnny Nelson: Not the most famous boxer but Johnny Nelson's story is one you gotta read. Got through it in 3 sittings! The Great White Hopes: The Quest to Defeat Jack Johnson by Graeme Kent: I read this on my last holiday. It goes through all the attempts made by promoters to find someone who could beat Jack Johnson. It's mind boggling the length people went to to stop him being champ! An interesting read. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head that were really worth it.
Ah dude its phenomenal . Ali running with the locals , sparring and talking to the press. George hitting the bag , Joe Frazier lounging by the pool and people like Mailer , Plimpton and Spike Lee adding their own feelings., It reminded me of the book a great deal. Listening to Mailer describe Georges bag workout over the top of the footage itself , man you're in fistic heaven right there ! The Film was worthy of its oscar !
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