Just finished Johnny Lewis' book. Anybody had a read?

Finally managed to knock JL's book over.....a great read...a must have for your sporting library....a real trip down memory lane....also a great insight into Johhny Lewis the man....his values and what made him tick....Johhny Lewis....great boxing trainer....but more importantly a great human being.

ps:I could never stand Paul Kent but he deadset nailed this book....done a great job.

 

I have just started reading this. Couldnt help but laugh at the part when Tommy Raudonikis is in the plane drinking cans of beer.

 

Even though I have been put off by some of Lewis's recent statements, especially pertaining to Mundine, I've always had a great deal of respect for him. He's always seemed a great down to earth guy and no doubt a great trainer.

I can definately believe those stories about Tyszu. Got the impression he didn't give two hoots about the people around him and was a bit consumed by greed watching his career unfold and reading story after story about him owing all kinds of people money. Not surprising, boxing is a business that breeds alot of greed, and is infact built on it.

Also remember on his site he would sell memoribilia at exorbitant prices and would always make a note on his regular fan mail urging his fans to buy whatever he was selling. His rant after Dancing With The Stars probably had more to do with the prize money he missed out on than anything else. I'm also skeptical about him pushing his son to turn pro so quick. He is acting more like a promoter than a father there.

 

Agree.

I read it in two whacks. I couldn't put it down. Great read.

It brought back memories for me.
Selling papers & the tricks of keeping the change. The lolly trays & Hot dog cans. The old Blue bags.
PMSL about the plane ride.
Yeah I went cold on KT in the early days. Tight as a fishes arse.
Surpised to see Changa pop up. I played League with him at school.

Loved it. Barefoot days.:happy:happy:happy

 

...to me Johnny Lewis's story is a lesson on principles...loyalty....honesty....stayin' solid with your mates....the very fabric of what our society was built on....very sad that such a supreme athlete like Kostya couldn't understand that....Johnny has come up the other side still loved and respected because he stayed true to his values....sadly for Kostya Tsyzu his day of reckonin' is still comin'.

 

Yep.

Johnny's Mum & mine seem to share the same outlook.
I've always been an optomist.

In reflection, if there is one person that needs to read this book, it's Kostya.
He won't like what Johnny has written but he needs to consider the type of man John is.

In an interveiw he done with 60 minutes, he was asked about going back to live in Russia. He said "I couldn't. I've become too Australian"

Because of his money, he will always have people around him, but I don't think he has even grasped the meaning of "Mates".
In Russia, where he almost commutes, he is something of a big wheel.
He probably doesn't realize it but he's burning the candle from both ends.

Alliegence is not something you can share honestly.

The day will come when he realizes that anything bought, can be sold, which means a life of transience & mistrust.
If that day comes, I think he will then grasp what real mates, the ones Johnny talks of, are all about.
JMO

 

hmmm.....well put :thumbsup

 

As everyone seems to give Johnny's book the thumbs up i'm gonna buy it today. I'm reading Wayne McCullough's book at the moment, good read so far.

 

Now that sounds like a book worth reading....McCullough is up there with Gatti and Coralles (not literally thank the lord)

 

....if I may just expand on that RA.....yeah....Tommy,still in footy kit...covered in ****....slab on the seat next to him....Paul Ferrari sittin' oppostite him thinkin'.."who the fark is this carnt?"....then he fires up a dart....and when the pilot smells it and he tries to put it out he sets the plane on fire....hahaha...farken gold!

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl

The other one with KT weighing himself every day & Ronny having to go get the scales off the Commish, bring them to the flop, cart them to the lift & up to the room for KT, then take them back again, day after day.

Day of the fight he says to Johnny. "Tomorrow, I'm gunna go to a hardware store, buy a shovel & hit him on the ****en head with it!!" :rofl:rofl:rofl

 

At the end of the day Lewis knows when enough is enough , far too many trainers are braver than their charges ability, when he pulled Kostya from the last round v Hatton he knew his kid was ****ed , he knew and Kostya knew the game was up Hatton would have rather died on the spot that night rather than get beaten . some fellers on this board bag the old fella out but i was privelidged to have a bloke like that in my corner as a young man and it shows in later life as some of that character does rub off on you , Grandson is hooking off the jab at 2 ,,,,,lol

 

yep...ala Eddie Futch with Frazier in Manila....Eddie told Joe "sit down son...no one will forget what you did here today"

 

Another class example.