Ray Leonard's book

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MagnaNasakki, Jul 21, 2011.


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  1. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I was shocked at how candid and even it was. I've never read a more humble autobiography, heaping praise on deserving foes while still giving credit where its due to the man himself.

    Did anybody else read and enjoy it?
     
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 21, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 21, 2011
    #1
  2. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Haven't read, but I think I will. I'm not surprised by him being candid, though, since he usually is very candid in the interviews he gives.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 21, 2011
    Bokaj, Jul 21, 2011
    #2
  3. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Have n't read it yet,but looking forward to doing so. The bio that was written about him a few years back was terrible. It was just a glorified diary about his career. I'm looking forward to seeing what made Ray tick. I've heard that it's very good.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 22, 2011
    Stevie G, Jul 22, 2011
    #3
  4. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He out and out repudiates the Hearns decision in their rematch. Says, and I quote, "Tommy had every right to feel robbed."

    Dunno if I can think of another champ who would admit something that concrete, in print.

    What he has to say about Benitez and Duran is also fascinating.
     
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    #4
  5. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Could you offer up any snippets?
     
    Bokaj, Jul 22, 2011
    Bokaj, Jul 22, 2011
    #5
  6. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'm about 3/4 of the way through it. It seems like Ray has grown as a person and has owned up to a lot of bad behavior. Almost like his past was another lifetime and he can look at it as a different person. He's so heavy handed in pointing out his own bad behavior, that it lends credibility to some of his claims of poor behavior by people in his camp. He still holds some bitterness toward Dave Jacobs, Janks Morton, and others, but again, he's so hard on his own behavior that it doesn't come accross too bad.
    Good book as far as Autobiographies go.
     
    natonic, Jul 22, 2011
    natonic, Jul 22, 2011
    #6
  7. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree. Never liked him back in the day, but he was so honest and contrite in this book that I have a new view of him. He is trying hard to own up to his mistakes and does a great job of it.
     
    Vince Voltage, Jul 22, 2011
    Vince Voltage, Jul 22, 2011
    #7
  8. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I love how he refuses to offer excuses in just about any fashion.

    He never says he would have BEATEN Duran if he boxed his fight in Montreal, only that he knows he should have tried to box rather than so easily give into a war. His biggest adjustments for the second fight were mental.

    I also love how gracious he is towards Hagler, saying he believes he beat him, but he understands Marvin being upset and bitter, and that he never disliked him and wants, still, to be friendly.
     
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    #8
  9. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I thought it was pretty flat myself.
     
    he grant, Jul 22, 2011
    he grant, Jul 22, 2011
    #9
  10. Cmoyle

    Cmoyle Active Member Full Member

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    "I also love how gracious he is towards Hagler, saying he believes he beat him, but he understands Marvin being upset and bitter, and that he never disliked him and wants, still, to be friendly."

    Marvin is still very bitter about that fight from my point of view. I found myself sitting next to him for a bit at the Int'l Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota last month and heard him say to another fighter about that fight with Leonard: "How long is he going to make me wait until he admits that I beat him, until I'm old and gray."
     
    Cmoyle, Jul 22, 2011
    Cmoyle, Jul 22, 2011
    #10
  11. DonBoxer

    DonBoxer The Lion! Full Member

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    Him being bald he must know its never going to happen.
     
    DonBoxer, Jul 22, 2011
    DonBoxer, Jul 22, 2011
    #11
  12. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hagler didn't beat him. Not really. You can score the fight for him, and thats fine, but you can also score it for Leonard. Ray has every right to believe he won: 50% or more of boxing fans do.

    Taking this into account, he handles Marvin extremely evenly in his book. He heaps praise on his tough road up and the fights he fought.
     
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Jul 22, 2011
    #12
  13. KillSomething

    KillSomething Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Is the weiner-touching scene any good?
     
    KillSomething, Jul 22, 2011
    KillSomething, Jul 22, 2011
    #13
  14. Waynegrade

    Waynegrade Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The book was great ! It was refreshing in that Ray was very honest with all facets of his career and life. He had the drive to be great, against all odds. The fact that he is so humble and honest about fighting his demons, makes him more of a man in my eyes. Great story by a truly great fighter...
     
    Waynegrade, Jul 22, 2011
    Waynegrade, Jul 22, 2011
    #14
  15. mochabuzz

    mochabuzz Active Member Full Member

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    I cant stand ray.... But if this book is as honest as Agassi's biography, I'm sure I will love it.
     
    mochabuzz, Jul 22, 2011
    mochabuzz, Jul 22, 2011
    #15
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