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£10.44
John Blake Publishing Ltd My Brother, Muhammad Ali: The Definitive
Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year'Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story' - Mike Tyson'The real life of the Great One' - George ForemanMore words have been written about Muhammad Ali than almost anyone else. He was, without doubt, the world's most-loved sportsman. At the height of his celebrity he was the most famous person in the world. And yet, until now, the one voice missing belonged to the man who knew him best - his only sibling, and best friend, Rahaman Ali.No one was closer to Ali than Rahaman. Born Cassius and Rudolph Arnett Clay, the two brothers grew up together, lived together, trained together, travelled together, and fought together in the street and in the ring.A constant fixture in his sibling's company, Rahaman saw Ali at both his best and his worst: the relentless prankster and the jealous older brother, the outspoken advocate, the husband and father. In My Brother, Muhammad Ali, he is able to offer a surprising insider's perspective on the well-known stories, as well as never-before-told tales, painting a rich portrait of a proud, relentlessly polarizing, yet often vulnerable man. In this extraordinary, poignant memoir, Rahaman tells a much bigger and more personal story than in any other book on the great man - that of two brothers, almost inseparable from birth to death. It is the final and most important perspective on one of the most iconic figures of the last century.Trade ReviewHeart-warming, multi-faceted and hard-hitting [...] Thanks to Rahaman's powerful storytelling ability, My Brother, Muhammad Ali shares with the world a tale unlike any other biography on Muhammad Ali * Fox Sports *No one knew Muhammad Ali better than Rahaman, and he provides a welcome and insightful addition to the extensive Ali literature * Sunday Times *Rahaman was alongside Muhammad Ali all the way, from his street-fighting teenage days, loving home life, soaring fame, marriages, troubles, notoriety, highs and lows. In this long-overdue book, he takes us inside the legend's head and home [...] And just like the man, the book never stops surprising. A must for fight fans * Sunday Sport *Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story * Mike Tyson *The real life of the Great One * George Foreman *It seems there is a bottomless supply of revelations about Muhammad Ali, one of the most written-about men in history. Yet more insights come in a book by his brother, Rahaman. From Ali's difficult birth to how he had to be rescued from financial difficulty after he stopped boxing and on to the tenderness of his last hours with his family, the story of The Greatest Of All Time is retold from the inside by his younger sibling * Jeff Powell, Daily Mail *
£15.00
HarperCollins Focus Killing the Image
Book SynopsisIn this inspiring memoir, undefeated five-time world champion boxer Andre Ward--aka Son of God--shares the gripping narrative of his unforgettable career, his rock-solid faith, and why boxing was never the biggest fight of his life.Andre Ward was the undefeated light heavyweight boxing champion of the world when he walked away from the ring and did not look back. Now that he has taken off his gloves for the final time, the Olympic gold medalist is ready to share the heartbreaking and uplifting stories of his formative years and unprecedented boxing career. Motivational, faith-building, and utterly compelling, this memoir offers an inspiring story of overcoming a broken childhood behind-the-scenes drama from Andre''s epic championship bouts, complicated relationships with managers and promoters, and shocking decision to retire at the top of his game insight into breaking destructive generational bonds, forgiving those who have h
£17.09
HarperCollins Publishers Undisputed Truth
Book SynopsisOne of the most talked-about and bestselling books of last year, this is the no-holds-barred autobiography of a sporting legend driven to the brink of self-destructionThe bestseller that has everyone talking.In this, his first, autobiography, Iron' Mike Tyson pulls no punches and lays bare the story of his remarkable life and career. Co-written with Larry Sloman, author of Antony Keidis's best-selling memoir Scar Tissue', this is a visceral, and unputdown-able story of a man born and raised to brutality, who reached the heights of stardom before falling to crime, substance abuse and infamy.Full of all the controversy and complexity that you would expect from a man who delighted as much as he shocked, this is a book that will surprise and reveals a fascinating character beneath the exterior of violence.If you think you know all about Mike Tyson, read this book and think again.Trade Review‘Might be the most soul-baring book of its genre ever written’ Washington Post ‘Savagely compelling… A voyage through the great American underbelly’ Telegraph ‘Sensational… Fascinating… An epic tale’ Daily Mail ‘Completely riveting’ Janice Turner, The Times ‘A fallen hero mauled by excess’ Evening Standard ‘A gripping and indecently enthralling autobiography . . . Tyson’s life reads like an Elmore Leonard thriller’ Telegraph ‘Undisputed Truth, is the American dream writ large in raw detail: think Citizen Kane scripted by the writing team of The Wire’ New Statesman ‘Utterly gripping’ Janet Street-Porter, Independent ‘Addictive’ Geoff Dyer, Observer ‘Extraordinary’ Sunday Times
£11.69
Cornerstone Behind the Mask: Winner of the Telegraph Sports
Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON NETFLIX'S AT HOME WITH THE FURYSTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR** TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR **DOUBLE WINNER: BEST AUTOBIOGRAPHY & BEST OVERALL SPORTS BOOK OF 2020________________________________ 'Incredible stories... you don't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy it' SCOTT MILLS, BBC RADIO 1'One of sport's most heart-warming stories' SUNDAY TIMES, SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR'A must-read for any boxing fan.' WORLD BOXING NEWS'If you know someone who is a fan of the People's Champion then they'll love this.' TALKSPORT XMAS GIFT GUIDEThe extraordinary story of the rise and fall and rise again of Tyson Fury...THE GYPSY KING.A Manchester lad from Irish Traveller stock, born three months premature and weighing just a pound at birth, Tyson (named after his father's boxing hero) grew up to become one of the most unlikely heavyweight champions in history. This 'dream come true' soon turned to nightmare, however, as alcohol and cocaine abuse took hold and Tyson was stripped of his titles. What followed was the darkest moment of his life - detailed in this book for the first time - in which he came within seconds of ending everything.THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION.Like all the greatest stories, though, there is redemption and Tyson defies all the odds and literally drags himself to his feet. 10 million people around the globe watched Fury fight Wilder in the biggest fight of the boxing calendar. Speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you have never seen him before.A BRITISH ICON.________________________________ Behind the Mask is an unflinching story from the greatest boxer of our time and a man who has demonstrated strength of a very different kind by conquering his demons.________________________________ 'It's a great book, if I could read, I'd buy it' BILLY JOE SAUNDERS, WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion'I didn't believe boxers could be role models, but Tyson Fury has changed my mind... This 30-year-old Mancunian has made us all think twice about the possibilities of redemption.'SIMON KELNER, INDEPENDENT'Tyson Fury has become Britain's most unlikely inspirational figure... the sight of a broken Fury caught a mood with the public. Never was the epithet "People's Champion" more apt'RON LEWIS, THE TIMES'Tyson Fury is an amazing real-life champion' SYLVESTER STALLONE, star of Rocky'You may not have any interest in boxing at all and you will find this story about Tyson's life fascinating' BBC RADIO 5 LIVE'An unusual, heartening story, nicely told. There is much to amaze and admire' SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewSpeaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you've never seen him before. * Daily Telegraph *Fury delivers on his Behind The Mask promise. Beneath the rowdy showmanship is a gifted athlete with bottomless reservoirs of determination and a rare willingness to be frank about his vulnerability to depression […] you may have to take him more seriously than your instincts suggest. * The Sportsman *‘The story of his recovery and resurgence... struck a chord with fans around the world. When his autobiography, Behind the Mask, was released in November 2019, it reached the No 1 spot on Amazon’s charts within 24 hours.’ * iNEWS *‘Behind the Mask is his unflinching account of how he overcame his battles with obesity, anxiety, drink and drug abuse, depression and despair to become one of the most exciting fighters of boxing’s modern age.' * Penguin.co.uk *His autobiography Behind The Mask and ITV programme has shown how vulnerable people are to depression and other mental health issues. The country should make him an ambassador for mental health awareness. -- Letter from reader, The Sun
£10.44
Cornerstone Gloves Off
Book SynopsisThe No-Holds-Barred Sunday Times bestselling Autobiography'Tyson Fury is an amazing real-life champion' Sylvester Stallone____________________________________________________________________Tyson pulls no punches in his most candid, comprehensive and entertaining book yet, which chronicles for the first time in full his inspirational story - the rise, the fall, and the rise again, which saw him come back from the brink of suicide to reclaim his heavyweight crown. Access-all-areas and full of never-before-told stories, Tyson looks back on his life and career to examine what's really defined him: his Travelling upbringing, his fighting family (including his dad John and his half-brother Tommy), his beloved wife Paris, his 6 beautiful children, his mental health battles, his faith, his boxing rivalries and the fights, pitfalls and challenges along the way. Tyson shares fascinating blow-by-blow accounts of his inspiring victories against Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte, his recovery f
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd Ali A Life
Book SynopsisBRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR. SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2017. SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. WINNER OF THE PEN/ESPN AWARD FOR LITERARY SPORTS WRITING. THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. The most comprehensive and definitive biography of Muhammad Ali that has ever been published, based on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, with many dramatic new discoveries about his life and career. When the frail, trembling figure of Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996, a TV audience of up to 3 billion people was once again gripped by the story of the world's most famous sporting icon. The man who had once been reviled for his refusal to fight for his country and for his fast-talking denunciation of his opponents was now almost universally adored, the true cost of his astonishing boxing career<Trade Review'Jonathan Eig's Ali: A Life is the business - 640 pages of patient scholarship and intelligent reassessment written in crackly prose and dancing gleefully and illuminatingly through the well-documented highlights while never shying away from the less glorious shadows.' -- Giles Smith * The Times *'A fine piece of journalism of the best American kind...wrought with sound judgment and rigorous prose. Ali's life is dissected with the detachment of a pathologist, and the picture isn't always a pretty one... In 50 or 100 years, people might wonder what all the fuss was about. Muhammad Ali: was there really such a character? They should read this book and learn that yes, there was, for all his flaws.' -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times *'This richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait of a controversial figure...could not have come at a more appropriate time... As Muhammad Ali's life was an epic of a life, so Ali: A Life is an epic of a biography... Even the familiar may be glanced from a new perspective in Eig's fluent prose.' -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Times Book Review *'Finally, after so many works focusing on this fight or that, the whole man, his whole life, is presented here' -- Ken Burns'Goes deeper and uncovers more than any Ali biography has before’ * Esquire *'Jonathan Eig’s Ali: A Life is the first comprehensive biography worthy of this titanic figure... [Eig] vigorously narrates the story of the man who transformed the landscape of race and sports... Eig also paints Ali’s bouts with vivid detail and captivating sweep... Ali stirs together the sweet and the spicy, the gifts and the failings, the charm and the rage, the grace and the greed, the pride and the ego. Together, they made Ali the transcendent athlete of his age.' -- Aram Goudsouzian * Washington Post *'Does a remarkable job of synthesising the warring elements of Ali's life. Above all, it delivers a portrait of a hero that does not ignore his all too human flaws. This biography...ends in darkness & melancholy. Fortunately, the earlier chapters dazzle us.' -- Clive Davis * The Times *'Ali's extraordinary story, in all its complexity, is told in Jonathan Eig's excellent Ali: A Life' -- Martin Chilton * Daily Telegraph *'There have been countless tomes about the iconic fighter, of course, but Eig's is the definitive work to date.' * Sports Illustrated Sports Book of the Year *'Stunning new biography...Ali is a big, fat, entertaining and illuminating read...What makes Eig’s book stand out is its broad scope, its detailed reportage and its lively, cinematic writing.' -- Laurie Hertzel * Star Tribune *'Each blow echoes on the pages of Jonathan Eig’s relentless, image-altering biography Ali: A Life...Though replete with tales of race, religion, war protest, sex, marital turmoil and skulduggery, this book is, more than anything else, an indictment of boxing. The cumulative damage of Ali’s boxing career is a terrible and haunting thing to read about, and it becomes all the more so when you remind yourself that Mr. Eig’s subject is one of American sports’ most beloved figures, not some luckless tomato can.' -- John Schulian * Wall Street Journal *'Eig...has exhaustively covered the career of boxing’s very greatest in an unprecedented level of detail...The result is a biography that is as unflinching about Ali’s marriages and extra-marital activities as it is about his sporting decline. The closing chapters...are heartbreaking.' -- James Grey * Daily Express *'Achieved the minor miracle of refreshing ground already trodden by writers of the quality of Thomas Hauser, Mike Marqusee and David Remnick, relating groundbreaking analysis of the punches taken by Muhammad Ali, particularly in his later fights, to his subsequent ill health' -- Huw Richards * Guardian *'First rate... An exemplary life of an exemplary man' * Kirkus Reviews *Ali, who died last year, was contradictory and controversial, and Jonathan Eig tells his story beautifully in his stunning new biography of the champ, Ali: A Life... Eig recounts the champ's major bouts in dizzying detail. Even readers who don't care for boxing will be drawn in by his descriptions of the fights... Ali's life was more complex than most other sports figures, and Eig's brilliant, exhaustive book is the biography the champ deserves: a beautiful portrait of a man whose name will never be forgotten, who carried a torch for equality and justice, and lit a fire that will never go out. -- Michael Schaub * NPR Books *'Jonathan Eig’s masterful new biography of the champ is both captivating and highly relevant to the current discussions on race...Eig’s boxing descriptions are taut and lively, wisely eschewing the purple prose of the literary set who have written about the sport... Muhammad Ali was one of the most compelling figures in the 20th century, and Eig does ample justice to capturing his extraordinary and enduring legacy.' -- David Takami * Seattle Times *'Full justice is done to Ali's extraordinary athletic gifts' -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times *'[Jonathan Eig's] new book feels comprehensive...noteworthy is how much of Ali’s well-documented life has been overlooked by previous accounts... He’s breezy to read while also being a stickler for detail... It is by no stretch a hatchet job, but it’s no hagiography either and doesn’t shy away from stories that reveal Ali’s fallibilities and extreme views... Even in the most examined lives, there are corners where it is revealing to shine a light.' -- Tim Lewis * Observer *'Jonathan Eig’s book is the first major biography since Ali’s death, and it offers a bruising account of his life. It jabs at myths throughout... Masterful.' * The Economist *'That Eig has achieved his aim of revealing Ali afresh, which I think he has, is some kind of literary miracle...Eig has achieved the improbable and made Ali human again: flawed, inspiring, too complex to truly represent any one coherent idea.' -- Malcolm Knox * Sydney Morning Herald *'Comprehensive and definitive...uncovers new stories and tidbits about his life and career' * Sports Illustrated *'Ali’s life and times have been documented often but never more comprehensively or brilliantly than the recently published Ali: A Life...this is not only one of the best-ever sports books but an insightful social essay about a deeply troubled era for human rights in America.' -- Ron Reed * sportshounds.com.au *'This deeply researched, comprehensive biography. His prose is fast-paced, uncluttered, and rich in personal insights' -- J. Michael Lennon * Times Literary Supplement *'He may have been the greatest but he was no saint... Paints a portrait of his life in its entirety' * Mail on Sunday *'Eig’s richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait of a controversial figure for whom the personal and the political dramatically fused could not come at a more appropriate time.' -- John Williams * New York Times *
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd The Sweet Science
Book SynopsisTake a ringside seat next to A. J. Liebling at some of the greatest fights in history. Here is Joe Louis''s devastating final match; Sugar Ray Robinson''s dramatic comeback; and Rocky Marciano''s rise to heavyweight glory. The heated ringside atmosphere, the artistry of the great boxers and the blows and parries of the classic fights are all vividly evoked in a volume described by Sports Illustrated as ''the best American sports book of all time''.''A rollicking god among boxing writers ... before Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson were out of diapers, Liebling was taking his readers on excursions through the hidden and often hilarious levels of this bruised subculture ... the Master'' Los Angeles Times''Nobody wrote about boxing with more grace and enthusiasm'' The New York TimesTrade ReviewThe best American sports book of all time * Sports Illustrated *Nobody wrote about boxing with more grace and enthusiasm than Joe Liebling * The New York Times *
£9.49
Pan Macmillan I Am Duran: The Autobiography of Roberto Duran
Book SynopsisThey called him 'Hands of Stone'. In his own words, and for the first time, Roberto Duran tells his unbelievable story in I Am Duran: The Autobiography of Robert Duran. From the mean streets of Panama to the bright lights of Las Vegas, blazing a trail through the golden decade of boxing, Duran, in unflinching form, dispels myths and lays bare the cost of conquering the world. He also returns to the debacle that entered sporting folklore during his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, when he uttered the infamous words 'no mas' – no more.Starting life in abject poverty as the illegitimate son of a serving US soldier, Duran quickly realized that his fists could both protect him on the streets and put food on the table. His reputation in and out of the ring travelled the corridors of boxing power on the day, for a bet, he knocked down a horse with a single punch.From his stunning debut in New York to the glorious defeat of Sugar Ray Leonard, the world titles and the chaos that ensued after the No Mas encounter, Duran's explosive life in the ring was matched only by the volatility outside of it, as he lurched from kingmaker to bankruptcy, before the ultimate ending of a bloody comeback and, finally, redemption.Trade ReviewMy hero and inspiration, and the greatest boxer of his generation. An unbelievable story * Ricky Hatton *If a pound-for-pound list of boxing autobiographies existed, this fascinating account of his life would sit comfortably on it. * Marc Deanie, Boxing Truth *I was drawn in and kept reading and before I knew I was through the book and feeling, really feeling, like I just sat down to a long dinner and beers after in some open Panamanian café with Durán sitting across from me just speaking with no filter, none at all. * Frank Miniter Forbes *
£9.49
Biteback Publishing Death of a Boxer
Book SynopsisSince 1995, there have been four deaths following fights in Britain and forty around the world. In Death of a Boxer, Pete Carvill sets out to explore the psychology of those who choose to fight and what draws them towards this most dangerous of pursuits. But to write about the death of fighters would only be half the story. Carvill, who has written extensively on boxing and combat sports for fifteen years, will take off his own gloves and pick up a pen to explore the lives of fighters, from the early days in amateur clubs, to established professionals, to those down on their luck and to the retired still hankering for the feeling of being able to do what once came so easily to them. A deep and powerful meditation on the nature of boxing that asks why people do it, what it does for them – and ultimately to them. This may be the most important book on the sport for decades.
£17.00
Vintage Publishing Unforgivable Blackness The Rise and Fall of Jack
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDHe was the first black heavyweight champion in history (1908-15) and the most celebrated - and most reviled - African American of his age. In Unforgivable Blackness, prize-winning biographer Geoffrey C. Ward brings to vivid life the real Jack Johnson, a figure far more complex than the newspaper headlines could ever convey.Johnson battled his way from obscurity to the top of the heavyweight ranks and in 1908 won the greatest prize in American sports - one that had always been the preserve of white boxers. At a time when whites ran everything in America, he took orders from no one and resolved to live as if colour did not exist. Because of this, the federal government set out to destroy him and he was forced to endure a year of prison and seven years of exile. As Ward shows, Johnson was seen as a perpetual threat to white and African Americans alike - profligate, arrogant, amoral, a dark menace and a dangeTrade ReviewA significant achievement... An utterly convincing and frequently heartrending portrait -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Review of Books *A formidable accomplishment...Ward has successfully brought this deep and colourful personality, this insufficiently understood and altogether amazing man, back to life -- David Margolick * New York Times Book Review *A portrait of a fascinating figure, whose oversized personality fills every page. -- Bruce Schoenfeld * Washington Post *Ward is a distinguished and diligent historian, and he has mined original sources to tremendous effect. The detail is dazzling... It deserves an audience far beyond fans of the ring game -- Andrew Baker * Daily Telegraph *'a delicious detail on almost every page... Research this powerful gives Unforgivable Blackness a richness that rewards contemplative reading', -- Jon Hotten * Scotland on Sunday *
£11.69
Floodlit Dreams Ltd A Dazzling Darkness
Book SynopsisA Dazzling Darkness is the emotional autobiography of the brave and popular Darren Barker, who fought on after the tragic death of his hugely talented 19-year-old boxing brother Gary and realised a dream of winning the world middleweight title one hot August night in Atlantic City, a triumph he dedicated to the memory of Gary.Trade Review"Great boxer. Great man. Great story." JOE CALZAGHE, former undefeated World Super Middleweight Champion. "Deeply insightful account of Barker's long, gruelling but ultimately uplifting struggle to win a world title in memory of his younger brother... Profoundly moving." JEFF POWELL - DAILY MAIL. "Barker's story, seen through the prism of retirement, is a study of grief and redemption, inner strength and susceptibility to fate." MICHAEL CALVIN - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY. Shortlisted in British Sports Book Awards, Outstanding Sports Writing category.
£9.49
Pan Macmillan When Fury Takes Over
Book SynopsisJohn Fury was born on 22 May 1965. He is a retired professional boxer and bare-knuckle fighter of Irish and British descent, and father to six sons including heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury. When Fury Takes Over is his unfiltered autobiography.Trade ReviewMy dad is truly a man amongst men -- Tyson Fury, WBC Heavyweight Champion of the WorldA knockout account of his wild and wayward life as a bare-knuckle fighter and no-nonsense minder * The Sun *
£18.70
Amberley Publishing Richmond Unchained
Book SynopsisThe first ever biography of slave turned bare-knuckle boxing legend Bill Richmond (1763-1829).Trade Review‘Carefully examined by a writer with an obvious passion for his subject’ * Greg Jenner, historical consultant, CBBC’s Horrible Histories *‘A fascinating and deeply researched account’ -- David Snowdon, author Writing the Prizefight
£15.19
Hodder & Stoughton Barry Hearn: My Life: Knockouts, Snookers,
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*REVISED AND UPDATED*'I am the largest sports promoter in the world. I promote 11 sports to a global audience of billions of people every day of my life'__________A larger than life working class hero, Romford born and bred - always ready with the perfect soundbite - Barry Hearn was famously described as 'roguish but never a rogue'.Hearn is credited with turning snooker into one of the biggest sports in Britain. He essentially turned a sport in which competitors wear bowties into a massive, globally televised event. Away from the table, his promotions empire casts its net over a dozen sports - from professional boxing to darts, fishing to ten-pin bowling - and his career spans four decades. He also previously owned Leyton Orient football club.Packed with hilarious anecdotes from the golden age of snooker, and behind-the-scenes insight into boxing negotiations and darts bust-ups, Hearn's book is a joy to read from start to finish.__________
£10.44
Cornerstone Fight For Your Life: The must-read, astonishingly
Book Synopsis***THE MUST-READ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST BRITISH BOXERS EVER – LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY, INSPIRATIONAL AND BRUTALLY HONEST***'It's a fascinating read' - Chris Moyles'I cannot recommend it enough - I absolutely tore through this. Fight For Your Life is not a normal Sports autobiography – it is much more than just that – it is very personal and very open and honest’ - TalkSPORT'An absolutely amazing book' - Alison Hammond, ITV This Morning'Some people are born to be sports stars. I wasn't one of them. I was born to be . . . actually what was I born to be? Probably, like most Asian kids growing up in the late Nineties, a doctor, or a teacher. At a push I might have been a cricketer. A boxer? Come off it! No Asian lad did that sort of thing. Hanging up my gloves has given me the opportunity to reflect not just on my career but on who I am and the kind of person I want to be. Whoever that is, I just hope they get a few less slaps to the face! Boxing has only ever been part of the storyline. Whether it be winning an Olympic medal at 17, death threats from Al-Qaeda, gunpoint robbery, family fallouts, marriage to a New York socialite, three kids, a reality show, a money pit wedding hall, or walking through a flood and earthquake devastated Pakistan, I'm struggling to think of a quiet day. That means a lot of lessons hard-learned - and here, in my autobiography, you'll notice that I try to pass a few on here. I've become a teacher after all!'
£18.70
Pitch Publishing Ltd Marvelous: The Marvin Hagler Story
Book SynopsisMarvelous Marvin Hagler is a sporting legend. Often called the greatest middleweight boxer of all time, he held the world title for 12 defences, including bouts with Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran which entered fistic folklore. From his wild early fights in the boxing wilderness of Brockton, Massachusetts, Brian and Damian Hughes trace the blazing trail of Hagler's career: the controversial defeats subsequently avenged, a riot-scarred title win in London, and his unification of the middleweight crown. Hagler became a huge favourite, taking on all comers while never taking a step back. And so to The Ring magazine's "greatest round of all time" against Hearns, his ferocious battle with Duran, and the still-controversial loss to his nemesis Leonard. Marvelous tells the story of Hagler's extraordinary life for the first time, separating truth from myth to get right to the heart of a complex and charismatic man.
£8.54
Orion Publishing Co Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in
Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER'Tony is a champion who knows the hardest battle is always with yourself. Everyone who reads this book will find a change to make in their own life ' ANT MIDDLETON**THE PULL-NO-PUNCHES GUIDE TO LIFE**"When your job is to stand in front of a very big man who wants to knock you unconscious, you learn what's important in life. In the ring there's nowhere to hide. I was never the biggest or the strongest but I made the most of what I had - I had heart and I had grit and I always put time into the mental game. Now I want to take readers into the ring and help them understand that even though it's an extreme environment and somewhere they're unlikely to ever be, there's plenty they can learn there"Over 12 rounds (chapters), former world champion boxer Tony Bellew will take the reader inside the world of elite boxing to reveal what we can all learn about performance. From what the boxing gym can teach us all about being honest about our strengths and weaknesses to how to hit the canvas and get back up again, this is the closest thing to having a world champion boxer in your corner.Trade ReviewTony worked incredibly hard to get to the top. He has tremendous self-belief and in his new book he tells it how it is. A must read * Ricky Hatton *A great read * Dan Walker *The story of an aggressive kid who, though boxing, found the best version of himself * The Times *A great read for anyone: hard-won advice given by a truly hard bloke. Tony's story shares both the blood, sweat and years that went into becoming world champion AND how you can apply his philosophy to your everyday battles * John Hudson, The UK Military's Chief Survival Instructor *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times
Book SynopsisOne of the most recognisable, respected and inspirational men on earth, Muhammad Ali is the world's most famous boxing hero. Ali brought unprecedented speed and grace to the sport, and his charm and wit changed forever what the world expects of a champion athlete. This is the ultimate biography to match Ali's lifetime of extraordinary achievements. Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of The Year Award A superb book; hilarious, sad, moving and hopeful – The Times A monumental achievement…it documents every facet of his extraordinary life – The Daily Telegraph Hauser's achievement in chronicling the life of Muhammad Ali is monumental… triumphant and harrowing at one and the same time – The Guardian A tour de force – The Observer Compassionate, intelligent, fair-minded, definitive, and certainly exhaustive – The New York Review of Books A delightful summer read – The Los Angeles Times One of the most recognisable, respected and inspirational men on earth, Muhammad Ali is the world's most famous boxing hero. Ali brought unprecedented speed and grace to the sport, and his charm and wit changed forever what the world expects of a champion athlete. In the words of over two hundred of Ali's family members, associates, opponents, friends and enemies, this comprehensive and honest portrait relates his legendary sporting accomplishments, as well as the high drama of life outside the boxing ring. From Olympic gold in Rome, to stunning victory over George Foreman in Zaire, every historic victory and defeat of Ali's career is covered. His controversial embrace of the Nation of Islam – with the renunciation of his 'slave name', Cassius Clay – and the historic refusal to be inducted into the US Army makes for compelling reading. Ali became America's first national conscientious objector, and with a willingness to stage his fights in Third World locales, he continued his advocacy for people in need which was honoured in 2000 when he became a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Charismatic, dedicated and a skilful self-publicist, Muhammad Ali was the embodiment of the American Dream. This is the ultimate biography to match Ali's lifetime of extraordinary achievements. The perfect companion for any boxing enthusiast or fan of Muhammad Ali's life and work.
£12.34
Rockpool Publishing Immortals of American Boxing
Book SynopsisThe Immortals of American Boxing celebrates our greatest ever fighters. It chooses the best of the best from over a century of the sport's colorful history. Renowned boxing writer Don Stradley selects his top 15 boxers and then delves into the careers of the true greats. Legendary fighters selected and profiled include pre-war figures Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis, plus the modern era's Mike Tyson and George Foreman. And the greatest of them all: Muhammad Ali. The book tells the remarkable stories behind each immortal's rise to the top and the adversity faced through their lives.
£19.80
Taschen Rocky. The Complete Films
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£56.25
Headline Publishing Group Ruin
Book SynopsisAs seen on TikTok, from Samantha Towle, the New York Times bestselling author of Wardrobe Malfunction and Breaking Hollywood, comes the first dramatically powerful and passionate novel in the Gods series.Readers are raving about Ruin!''Samantha Towle at her best''''Wow! What a story, I can''t even begin to tell you just how much I loved . . . this mind blowing book''''I adored this story! . . . Samantha Towle really knows how to make her characters jump out of the page and into our hearts as their journey becomes our own''''I love a good second chance romance story and this one was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G''..............................................................................And the new heavyweight champion of the world is... Those are the words that Zeus Kincaid has been waiting to hear since
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The Murder of Sonny Liston: A Story of Fame,
Book SynopsisSonny Liston was a legend, described by Mike Tyson as "the baddest man boxing ever produced". From veteran sports reporter Shaun Assael, The Murder of Sonny Liston is a gripping, intense examination of the former Heavyweight Champion's death in mob-ruled 1970s Las Vegas.'The Murder of Sonny Liston is a classic of the genre' – Daily MailOn January 5th 1971, former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston was found dead at his Las Vegas home.Liston’s death, labelled an overdose, has long hung over Las Vegas and the boxing world, leaving unanswered questions about his ties to mob kingpins, drug lords, billionaire hoteliers and powerful promoters.Against the backdrop of the pivotal era in the history of Las Vegas when the mob turned a sleep desert oasis into a gambling paradise, Shaun Assael's The Murder of Sonny Liston is both a riveting murder hunt and a stunning portrait of a city that was home to the Rat Pack, race riots and glittering high-rises along the strip.'Shaun Assael has delved deeper into Liston's mysterious death than anybody and come up with sensational results' – Nigel Collins, former editor-in-chief of The RingTrade ReviewReaders of James Ellroy's Underworld USA Trilogy will feel very much at home. -- Dan Jones * Sunday Times *The Murder of Sonny Liston is a classic of the genre . . . The cast of characters in these pages is a casino-packed assembly of the showbiz stars of a neon era who performed on that fabled Strip, heroes of the prize-ring, shadowy figures of a Mafia underworld, money-grubbing hangers-on, showgirls, straight and crooked cops. -- Jeff Powell * Daily Mail *Writing with the flair of a mystery writer and the attention to detail of an investigative journalist . . . Assael dissects the suspicious death of former heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston . . . The engrossing depiction of Sin City's corrupt cops, malevolent mobsters, and drug dens follows in the footsteps of Nick Tosches's The Devil and Sonny Liston . . . Assael's journey into the seedy underworld of the Las Vegas's past is worth the ride. * Publishers Weekly *Shaun Assael delves into Las Vegas at the turn of the '70s and uncovers a thrilling mystery. Leave it to Sonny Liston to emerge as its larger-than-life anti-hero. -- Nicholas Pileggi, Oscar-nominated screewriter of GoodfellasMobsters, casino moguls, degenerate gamblers, junkies, strung out fighters, drug dealers, crooked cops and coke-head judges all play a role in The Murder of Sonny Liston. Shaun Assael has delved deeper into Liston's mysterious death than anybody and come up with sensational results. Investigative reporting at its finest. * Nigel Collins, Former editor-in-chief, The Ring *As tough and pounding as its subject, this is the send-off Sonny Liston deserved. Only read it if you're interested in crime, Vegas, and boxing, or the complications of being human. -- Robert Lipsyte, author of The Contender and An Accidental SportswriterDrugs, booze, gambling, fixed fights. Casino moguls, crooked cops, mob bosses. The Murder of Sonny Liston has it all. Investigative reporter Shaun Assael's account of the death and life of one of boxing's biggest and saddest characters crackles with drama, tension, and suspense. It's part The Wire, part Chinatown, part The Professional-but unlike those works of fiction, all remarkably true. Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak and A Few Seconds of Panic -- Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak and A Few Seconds of PanicAssael, a member of ESPN’s investigations unit, is typically thorough in his research and approach yet manages to balance a meticulous attention to detail with a consideration for his audience, which is to say he never loses sight of the need to tell a story. The narrative is fluid and engaging, while the Las Vegas backdrop, arguably as important a character as any human being featured, is as alluring on the page as it is when witnessed in person. -- Elliot Worsell * Boxing News *
£10.44
Cornerstone Not Without a Fight: Ten Steps to Becoming Your
Book SynopsisRamla Ali's life inside and outside the ring represents her ruthless refusal to quit and passion to fight for what she believes in.In her first book, Ramla details ten key fights - a combination of life's constant challenges and real bouts she's endured both in and outside of the ring - that have shaped her remarkable rise to date.From her arrival in England as a refugee to being drawn to the energy and spirit of her first boxercise class; from the adrenaline of her first amateur fights to how she often powered on alone, searching for a community of women like her, and her biggest win of all: letting love into her life.Each relatable lesson is packed full of honesty and urgency, powering the reader on to become their own champion.Trade ReviewRamla has been an inspiration to me and so many other people around the world. I hope you can take as much out of this book as I did. Long may the journey continue! -- Anthony JoshuaRamla Ali is an extraordinary individual. Her immense strength is rivalled only by her compassion and she channels this fire with a cool head and endless determination resulting in a remarkable life, and a book that is a gripping and essential read. -- Camilla ThurlowRamla is a role model for all women, strength and focus like no other. Her spirit and fight inspire me. -- Katie Piper
£9.49
Cornerstone The Furious Method: The Sunday Times bestselling
Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON NETFLIX'S AT HOME WITH THE FURYSTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR________________________________________PICK YOURSELF UP OFF THE CANVAS.TRANSFORM YOUR BODY AND MIND.MAKE YOUR COMEBACK.________________________________________'Tyson's story ranks as one of the greatest comebacks ever. Not just in sport.' Telegraph'Full of tips on getting physically and mentally fitter ... a great antidote to battling lockdown blues.' Evening StandardFrom weighing twenty-eight stone and fighting a deep depression, to his amazing return to heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson opens up and share his inspiring advice and tips on diet, exercise regime, and his incredible journey back to a healthier body and mind.Frank, accessible and inspiring, The Furious Method is a feel-good and motivating tonic, full of inspirational advice for readers on how we can all improve our physical and mental health. And how we can all create a champion mind-set.Whatever your starting point or past set-backs, Tyson will show you how you can make your own comeback and start living your life to the fullest - fighting fit, mentally restored, and stronger than ever.________________________________________'King of the ring ... king of how to make a regime work for you. [Passes] on the message without preaching, without lecturing' Chris Evans'It's a very positive book, it's got some incredible things in here ... [this] book will help so many people' Roman Kemp'A number of very useful tips ... A great example to anyone' Phillip Schofield'It's a very open, honest book ... I think the advice in it is great.' Susanna Reid'It's a great read ... a great book' Piers Morgan'There's great humour in the book ... This is my favourite interview we've ever done' Holly Willoughby'Inspirational ... must-have gift for Christmas' Alan Brazil'The Furious Method is a feel-good and motivating tonic, full of inspirational advice for readers on how we can all improve our physical and mental health.' The SportsmanTrade ReviewA number of very useful tips [...] A great example to anyone -- Philip SchofieldThere's great humourin the book [...] This is my favourite interview we've ever done -- Holly WilloughbyIt's a very positive book, it's got some incredible things in here' -- Roman KempThe Furious Method is a feel-good and motivating tonic, full of inspirational advice for readers on how we can all improve our physical and mental health * The Sportsman *This follow-up to his bestselling autobiography is full of tips on getting physically and mentally fitter, and could be a great antidote to battling lockdown blues * Evening Standard *
£8.54
Hodder & Stoughton Relentless: 12 Rounds to Success: WINNER AT THE
Book Synopsis__________Out now: the knockout number one bestseller by Eddie Hearn. Find out about success and mindset, by one of boxing's most respected and influential promoters. WINNER AT THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS *The Sunday Times Number One Business Bestseller*'Relentless fizzes with Hearn's work ethic' - Financial Times__________What does it take to succeed? What is the mindset required to be the best? How do you stay at the top of your field? How do you come back from failure?Eddie Hearn knows what it takes. In his remarkable career, Hearn has worked alongside some of the biggest names in sports entertainment and has seen first-hand the grit and relentless determination that it takes to succeed.Structured around the key skills that Eddie Hearn values the most, this book looks at his business, life, and the drive to succeed. Covering subjects such as discipline, passion, preparation, motivation and failure, this book shows you what it takes to get the most in your life and career.In this insightful and revealing book, Eddie talks about the highs and lows of his career - from negotiating a billion dollar boxing deal to selling out Wembley for the Joshua Klitschko fight - and draws the valuable lessons that we can learn from boxing's toughest performers.__________'Arguably the world's most powerful boxing promoter' - Financial Times'The most powerful man in British boxing' Business Insider'Eddie Hearn has been at the forefront of boxing's resurgence' GQ'The biggest promoter in boxing' Square Mile__________The perfect book for when life deals a knockout blow, an invaluable guide about making the most from life, drawn from the hard-won lessons of one of the most successful boxing promoters in the world.
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Love and Fury: The Magic and Mayhem of Life with
Book SynopsisCOMING VERY SOON: the brand new book from bestseller Paris Fury. How Does She Do It is available to pre-order now!Gypsy Queen to the Gypsy King, Tyson Fury's wife Paris reveals the magical highs and epic lows of life with the Heavyweight Boxing World Champion, as she shares their life story and what keeps them strong through the good times - and the bad.Paris Fury is Tyson's rock, the wife he thanks for all his success. Both from Traveller families, she married him at 19 and is hands-on mother to their six children, as well as at his side through every fight. Always glamorous, strong, grounded, and her own woman. When Tyson's struggles with depression, OCD and alcohol have threatened to overwhelm them, she has held them together, and helped to see Tyson through to the greatest boxing victories.With all her warmth, humour and honesty, she tells her story - from her Traveller childhood, falling in love, making a home and a family, to coming through Tyson's darkest moments. She vividly describes the anguish of their worst times, and what it's like to be at the ringside. And she shows what it takes to balance the fame, the fans and all the sporting pressures alongside everyday family life.
£10.44
Pitch Publishing Ltd Guardian of the Streets: James Cook MBE, My Story
Book SynopsisJames Cook's autobiography is a gripping account of his life told with the assistance of his friend and boxing author, Melanie Lloyd. Cook was raised by his grandparents in Jamaica until he was nine years old, when his mother arrived from London to collect him. His words paint a vibrant picture of childhood in the Caribbean sun and having to adapt to life on the notorious North Peckham Housing Estate in the late 60s. He started boxing in his teens and became British and European super-middleweight champion. Cook eloquently leads the reader through his life in the ring with plenty of droll tales along the way; but this is much more than a boxing book. Cook's commitment to keeping his local community safe through his youth work contributes to an inspirational and uplifting read. But anybody expecting to find Saint James on every page is in for a shock. His stories range from fighting with wheel-clampers in a Tesco car park to receiving his MBE from the Queen, all told with equal warmth and a sweet honesty that will keep the pages turning.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd This Boxing Game: A Journey in Beautiful
Book SynopsisWhat is it about boxing that charms and bewitches us? John Wight looks for the answer as he delves into the world of beautiful brutality. Showing that boxing is fundamentally tied to the human condition, he pulls back the curtains of his own masculinity to reveal the insecurities, life experiences and vulnerabilities that first drew him to the sport and have informed his engagement with it over a 20-year period. While relating his experiences in boxing gyms on both sides of the Atlantic, Wight reflects on the sport's origins, analysing some of its most memorable moments and characters. Through Wight's compelling memoirs we encounter some of modern boxing's most fascinating figures, among them Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao, James Toney and Scotland's IBF junior-welterweight world titlist Josh Taylor. Straddling the line between nobility and barbarity, boxing operates on a different moral and spiritual plane than other sports. This Boxing Game explores why and how.
£16.99
Canongate Books Amateur: A Reckoning With Gender, Identity and
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-FictionShortlisted for the Wellcome Book PrizeIn this groundbreaking new book, Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence.Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a way forward: a new masculinity, inside the ring and out of it.A graceful and uncompromising exploration of living, fighting and healing, in Amateur we gain insight into the stereotypes and shifting realities of masculinity today through the eyes of a new man.Trade ReviewAmateur is a beautiful and powerful book written by the superbly talented Thomas Page McBee. This memoir is such an important piece of trans literature to support and one that spoke to me deeply * * Elliot Page * *A visceral, sparky read . . . Beautifully written [and] deep and affecting . . . Absolutely fascinating -- BBC Radio 4 A Good ReadA blazingly wise and beautiful book -- A.L. KENNEDYMcBee's writing bristles with an elegant swagger . . . Amateur is as much a reconciliation as an emancipation . . . Punchy, thought-provoking stuff * * Sunday Times * *In an age when identity feels so splintered and fractional, McBee's empathy with men feels refreshing, but it's his determination to be accountable that is radical. He resolves his own masculinity crisis by doing the things men often think they're doing, but so often are not: listening, asking questions, seeking help, being vulnerable * * Observer * *Brave, honest and touchingly human . . . This is a beautiful book that will resonate . . . with anyone anywhere in the world who is determined to become a better, kinder human being -- ELIF SHAFAK * * Guardian * *Amateur is a heck of a tale, and McBee is a gifted memoirist * * Financial Times * *Amateur provocatively describes the ways in which an increasingly fragile patriarchal culture needs to keep men in their place. A quest for self-liberation, this loving and deeply intelligent exploration of contemporary masculinities is essential reading -- DEBORAH LEVYOne of my favourite books of 2018 . . . A memoir about boxing, masculinity and transitioning. It is exceptional -- NIKESH SHUKLAAn eye-opening story about gender and courage, and confirmation that there are many different fights to being a man * * Guardian * *
£10.44
Reaktion Books Boxing: A Cultural History
Book SynopsisThroughout history, potters, sculptors, painters, poets, novelists, cartoonists, song-writers, photographers, and filmmakers have recorded and tried to make sense of boxing. From Daniel Mendoza to Mike Tyson, boxers have embodied and enacted our anxieties about race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. In her encyclopedic investigation of the shifting social, political, and cultural resonances of this most visceral of sports, Kasia Boddy throws new light on an elemental struggle for dominance whose weapons are nothing more than fists. Looking afresh at everything from neoclassical sculpture to hip-hop lyrics, Boddy explores the ways in which the history of boxing has intersected with the history of mass media. Boddy pulls no punches, looking to the work of such diverse figures as Henry Fielding and Spike Lee, Charlie Chaplin and Philip Roth, James Joyce and Mae West, Bertolt Brecht and Charles Dickens in an all-encompassing study that tells us just how and why boxing has mattered so much to so many.Trade Review"Boddy intelligently takes up--via art, literature, film, and the media--the many issues that have historically veined the sport: 'nationality, class, race, ethnicity, religion, politics, and different versions of masculinity, ' plus dialectics like 'brawn versus brains, boastfulness versus modesty, youth versus experience.' Her reach is considerable, but so is her grasp. The result is a sweeping critical history and a perfect power-to-weight ratio."--Atlantic "If one author deserves real praise for stamina, it is Kasia Boddy. The research she has put into this book, combined with her awesome understanding of Western culture, is staggering. She can write with authority about everything from classical Rome to the Dada movement of the 1920s, from the work of George Bernard Shaw to Samuel Pepys' diary. . . . Her book is a magnificent achievement."--Leo McKinstry "Sunday Telegraph " "A penetrating, sparky, and powerfully intelligent work of artistic, sporting, and cultural history. . . . When you get to its final page you will find that you have not merely been entertained but enlightened, too. A literary knockout."--Times, Sports Books of the Year "Boddy's book is a superb work of scholarship, spanning ancient Greece to Mike Tyson. Its reproduced lithographs and colour plates make the book, in its way, a handsome work of art in itself. . . . Boddy referees this heavyweight 15-rounder with elegance, aplomb, and rigor."--Jonathan Rendall "New Statesman " "Compendious, and thoroughly fascinating. . . . An excellent, well-written and beautifully illustrated book."--David Flusfeder "Daily Telegraph " "Future champs may well carry Boddy's book in their sports bags along with their gloves, gum shields, and genital protectors."--Reg Gadney "Literary Review " "Fascinating tome. . . . The breadth and rigour of her research is astonishing. A lecturer in English at the University College London, she is just as sure-footed on the intricacies of boxing as in their depiction in literature, painting, film, and television. . . . This is no dissertation dressed up in book form. Boddy seamlessly weaves together tales of fighting men with tales of the arts, placing them squarely within historical context. . . . She is a more reliable chronicler of boxing than the ringside hack."--Gavin Evans "Financial Times " "[Boddy] provides much merriment along the way as she explores the ways professional fighters excite the imagination of writers, artists and intellectuals."--Economist "The merit of Boddy's meticulously researched and deeply intelligent examination of boxing through the ages is that it refuses to take the pop historian's route of lazy simplification. The political and moral ambiguity of the fights that have played such a seminal role in shaping human consciousness are chronicled in all their rich and equivocal detail. . . . Her volume is one of the most intelligent sporting books of recent times."--Matthew Syed "Times " "Boddy's vivid and highly entertaining book traces the manner in which pugilism has been represented in Western culture from Homer's Iliad of the eighth century BC to the present. . . . A lavishly illustrated study of a contentious yet compelling sport."--John Strachan "History Today " "In this ambitious book, Boddy provides a fascinating account of the ways in which boxing has been represented in literature and the visual arts from ancient Greece to the present. . . . No other work attempts such an exhaustive investigation of boxing's cultural history in the Western world."--Choice "Boddy pursues a lively, wide-ranging critical survey of boxing in literature, film, and other media, a compendious engagement with a fantastically rich tradition. She attends to both the aesthetic and the signifying potential of boxing, which has attracted artists for three millennia not only because it inspires and challenges their creative impulses but because, as Boddy amply demonstrates, the ring has proven to be a lastingly useful venue for staging all manner of ideas about class, violence, history, gender, work, leisure, ideology, politics, race, and nation, among other topics."--Carlo Rotella, author of "Cut Time: An Education at the Fights" and "Good with Their Hands" "The first thing that must be admired is the incredible richness of its sources. Boddy moves from classical Greece to contemporary fine art and mass culture and provides a wonderful synthesis of the writing and visual imaging of boxing. She writes with great clarity and draws this huge variety of material together with great ease. The research is very impressive. The text offers both an historical survey of the culture of boxing and the points of contact and connection across different periods. This is a very accomplished piece of research and writing."--Lynda Nead, University of London Birkbeck "Almost everyone who matters in Western cultural history in the past century enters Boddy's ring. . . . such is the overall quality of the job here that she can be forgiven anything."--Peter Temple "Age " "For what seems like forever, writers have tried to make sense of man's attraction to the sport of pugilism. Precious few have succeeded in explaining the relationship, while many have failed. . . . Boddy is one of those who have successfully captured the essence of boxing's grip on us, and she has done so with flying colors. . . . A tour de force."--The Ring "If you trace man's first footsteps on the planet you'd see much about him has changed - and that some has not - such as his ability and even his need to fight. But not for survival alone--but for a reason for existence, an identity to pass on, to aspire towards. Boddy's Boxing: A Cultural History explores this journey and connects dots that explain why, how long, and who we've been fighting."--Teddy Atlas "I've had a sneak preview of Kasia Boddy's huge, lithe Boxing: A Cultural History, which is out in the spring from Reaktion. Boddy is the kind of writer whose intelligence can bring together and reveal the patterns and resonances between such unlikely contenders as Plato, Scorsese, Fielding, Dickens and Keith Haring. It's a beautifully illustrated, expert, readable and startling expression of the dualities of all things. Boddy is the champion!"--Ali Smith "Guardian " "Splendid and surprising. . . . The illustrations in Boxing alone are worth the price of the book. . . . The author's research is thorough, and her writing is sharp and crisp. 'Boxing' easily pierces the aforementioned haze that surrounds the sport and gets to the crooked heart of the allure."--Julia Keller "Chicago Tribune " "A treasure trove for boxing historians and aficionados. . . . At nearly five hundred densely packed pages . . . Boxing: A Cultural History would seem to include everything that has ever been written, depicted, or in any way recorded about boxing."--Joyce Carol Oates "New York Review of Books "
£15.91
Quarto Publishing PLC The The Hurt Business: A Century of the Greatest
Book SynopsisFrom Jack London to Joyce Carol Oates, The Hurt Business is the ultimate boxing book covering a century of the greatest fighter and the writers who have followed 'the sweet science'. Beginning with Jack London's account of the 1910 championship bout between Jack Johnson and James Jeffries (for which the Call of the Wildman called for and coined the term "The Great White Hope"), and ending with Carlo Rotella's 2002 homage to Larry Holmes ("Champion at Twilight"), The Hurt Business is a near century's worth of rip-roaring reveal. Some of it comes ringside, like Norman Mailer et; some of it comes from the gym, like Pete Hamill's "Up the Stairs with Cus D'Amato"; and some of it comes from so far behind the scenes you feel as if you've been eavesdropping - Thomas Hauser's excerpt from The Black Lights. For fans of Norman Mailer's The Fight or George Kimball's Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing, The Hurt Business belongs on the shelves of any fan of boxing or sublime sports writing.Trade Review'For a nimble sample of prizefighting prose, Don King couldn't have put together a better card.' Time Magazine
£18.70
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Smokin Joe
Book SynopsisTrade Review“A revelation, a powerhouse, a thing of beauty, and—OK, I’ll say it—a knockout. Joe Frazier is one of the most compelling figures ever to step in a boxing ring, and Mark Kram, Jr. has written a biography worthy in every way of the champ’s greatness.” — Jonathan Eig, bestselling author of Ali: A Life “Mark Kram, Jr. much, much more than splendidly gets to the strange anomaly that was Smokin’ Joe: you’d have thought the guy didn’t get no respect. Only he did. Lots...His life is a story worth reading.” — Richard Ford “Mark Kram, Jr.’s sympathetic and thoroughly researched Smokin’ Joe is a worthy introduction to an under-appreciated American athlete.” — Joyce Carol Oates “An exquisite biography that depicts Frazier as he really was: not just fearless and ferocious but soulful, compassionate, loyal, impulsive, capable of powerful hatred and even more powerful love. You can feel the gospel truth of Smokin’ Joe deep in your bones.” — John Schulian, winner of the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing “Mark Kram Jr.’s landmark book about Joe Frazier...at last remedies a grave wrong, lifting the indomitable Frazier out of the crypt of creeping obscurity and into the exalted place he deserves in America’s annals...[A] sublime exploration.” — Michael Leahy, aof the Casey Award-winning The Last Innocents: The Collision of the Turbulent Sixties and the Los Angeles Dodgers “Bookish fans of the sweet science will flock to this biography.” — Kirkus Reviews “A comprehensive knockout of a biography...[A] beautiful book.” — Wall Street Journal "Kram...writes with the intensity that Frazier fought with...Unlike his subject, Kram knows when to take a step back and reflect, revealing a Frazier far removed from the enduring portrayal of him as 'an angry and unforgiving man so incapable of letting go of the hatred he harbored for Ali.'" — The National Book Review
£11.69
Running Press,U.S. The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists
Book SynopsisWhat were the ten most fantastic knockouts in boxing history? Which pugilist had the greatest jab of all time? What were the sport's most intense rivalries? What are the biggest upsets in boxing's annals? Who had the greatest nicknames? Which trainers got the most out of their charges? This title answers these questions and many others.Trade ReviewLibrary Journal, March 17, 2011 It's hard to imagine a team better equipped to compile this work than Sugar, boxing writer nonpareil, and Atlas, boxing analyst and trainer of champions. Throw in a few lists by guests like Muhammad Ali, and you have a book that will appeal greatly to boxing enthusiasts. Among the 88 lists are the expected (greatest fighters); the arcane (best body punchers); the amusing (best boxing nicknames); and the puzzling (heavyweight Ernie Terrell's favorite singers and musical groups). The book falls short of Sugar's stated intent to, through a collection of orderly miscellanea, create a kind of shorthand history of the sport, but to do so would be difficult. A winner by a majority decision, though an index sure would have been handy.
£16.99
Amberley Publishing Stars and Scars
Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - Jeff Jones tells the incredible story of Jewish boxing in London - a tale that stretches back centuries and includes a remarkable cast of characters who fought prejudice both inside and outside the ring.
£10.79
Penguin Books Ltd His Greatest Muse
Book SynopsisTinsley Lowry is my obsession. Tinsley Lowry could be my downfall. I''ve known Tinsley since we were children, two souls tangled in a bond that defied explanation. Her name echoes in my mind like a song. The world sees me as a rockstar, but it''s her who sees the parts of me I''ve kept hidden from everyone else.When Tinsley joins me on my tour, and we travel from city to city, a nagging feeling grows that someone is lurking in the shadows, watching her, waiting for her. The protectiveness I''ve always felt for her is driving me to insanity.With each day that passes, it becomes clearer that I want more. My need for her has erupted into a raging inferno. I''m not seeking redemption; I''m embracing the darkness that defines me in an effort to keep her safe. Can my obsession protect her against what I can feel coming, or will it become what devours us both?
£9.49
Amberley Publishing East End Born and Bled
Book SynopsisThis is the extraordinary story of the British birthplace of a worldwide sport of boxing in London's East End.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Sinner and Saint: The Inspirational Story of
Book SynopsisSinner and Saint is the inspirational story of Martin Murray, St Helens' flawed yet favourite son. A promising amateur teenage boxer, Murray was drawn into a life fuelled with drugs, alcohol and street fighting. By the age of 24, he had completed four jail sentences, one of them in a notorious Cypriot prison. He still managed to win the ABA welterweight title in 2004 - while on the run! The reintroduction of boxing back into his life and a settled family life proved to be his saviour. Turning pro in 2007, Murray went on to win the Commonwealth and British middleweight titles, and challenged for the world title on no fewer than four occasions. Murray pulls no punches as he recounts his story in the most intimate and vivid way - a rollercoaster life ultimately redeemed through his success in boxing.
£16.99
ACC Art Books They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He
Book SynopsisThey Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought features powerful and often moving images and stories of Muhammad Ali and the men he fought in the ring, by award-winning photographer Michael Brennan. “Around 1978, I had been in Houston, Texas photographing former Ali opponent George Foreman who had then reinvented himself as a roadside preacher. On the plane back to NYC, I thought, ‘If that’s what George is doing, I wonder what the rest of his opponents are up to?’ I set out to track down as many of the old guys as I could find.” Brennan spent decades locating Ali’s former opponents to discover what had become of them. This unique book is a look through Brennan’s remarkable archive, containing numerous never-before- seen photos plus poignant stories illuminating the images and contextualising Ali’s powerful role in the world of sport. Includes a special introductory essay by the late, great Jimmy Breslin. “Michael Brennan’s iconic 1977 portrait photograph of Muhammad Ali captures something far bigger and deeper than just the beautiful face of a beautiful man. It is a detailed map of the personal journey of one whose incomparable talents and audacity caused literati to swoon, taught a generation to question authority, and ultimately altered the path of a society which had never before seen a man exactly like him. To look at him the way he was then is to remember, with joy and sorrow, who we all once were.” - Jim Lampley, discussing the cover image (Boxing commentator, HBO Sports)Trade Review”Now a book by Michael Brennan, an English photographer, breathes renewed life into a man who remains the most photogenic of sports stars. Millions of words have been written about him, but each of Brennan’s pictures paints a thousand more.” -- Rick Broadbent, The Times"Great photographs...it's a book for Ali, for boxing and for photography fans.... Unrivalled." -- Steve Bunce, author and BBC Radio 5 Live boxing commentator"Michael Brennan brings together a collection of portraits and stories of the men Muhammad Ali faced in the ring to create a fascinating portrait of the Greatest of All Time. ” -- Miss Rosen, blind magazine“A dozen films have been made around Ali’s life; even more books written about it. Yet, the allure around Ali's larger-than-life persona remains enticing as it ever was. It was this allure which led photographer Michael Brennan to spend decades tracking down Ali’s opponents, from former champions such as George Foreman and Joe Frazier, to forgotten names known only by their contribution to a 56 win tally.” -- Esquire Magazine“A murderer, a homeless man, a taxi driver: what do they have in common? They all boxed Muhammad Ali once. The award-winning photographer Michael Brennan speaks here about his search for the opponent of the “greatest”.” - Benjamin Knaack, Spiegel Sport“A picture is worth a 1,000 words. The photos tell the story. This is a good way to describe a book which has provided tremendous photo coverage of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.” - Donald Hunt, Philadelphia Tribune“The images take us beyond the ropes and across time, into the private lives of men who played vital roles in the history of our ancient sports.” - Rob Chilton, Edgar Magazine"The book, They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali And The Men he fought is a reflection of the impact of a man in sports history….Beyond the ropes, from afar or close, the face of the man who changed boxing is another and his life is another; hence, Brennan bet on going further and taking a historic step: follow closely the men who faced the king." - Mario Villagrán, GQ Mexico
£28.00
Cornerstone Fight For Your Life
Book SynopsisAVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW''Some people are born to be sports stars. I wasn''t one of them. I was born to be . . . actually what was I born to be? Probably, like most Asian kids growing up in the late Nineties, a doctor, or a teacher. At a push I might have been a cricketer. A boxer? Come off it! No Asian lad did that sort of thing. Hanging up my gloves has given me the opportunity to reflect not just on my career but on who I am and the kind of person I want to be. Whoever that is, I just hope they get a few less slaps to the face! Boxing has only ever been part of the storyline. Whether it be death threats from Al-Qaeda, gunpoint robbery, family fallouts, marriage to a New York socialite, three kids, a reality show, a money pit wedding hall, or walking through a flood and earthquake devastated Pakistan, I''m struggling to think of a quiet day. That means a lot of lessons hard-learned - and you''ll notice that I try to pass a few on he
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Switch
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.29
Atlantic Books The World's Strongest Book: Ten Lessons in
Book SynopsisGo behind the scenes with Eddie 'The Beast' Hall as we follow his incredible journey from World's Strongest Man to competing in 'The Heaviest Boxing Match in History' against his nemesis Hafthor 'Thor' Bjornsson. 'No human can visualise the impossible like this man' Jason StathamTHE BEASTIn 2017 Eddie Hall became the World's Strongest Man. He was the first person to pull half a tonne off the floor when everybody else said it was impossible, setting a new World Record. Impossible is a recurring theme in Eddie's life - from the streets of Stoke-on-Trent to the pinnacle of Strongman - at every step on his journey he has blasted through the obstacles in his way.THE BOXING MATCHNow, Eddie brings you into the heart of his training camp as he prepares for his greatest challenge yet - a boxing ring showdown with his nemesis, Hafthor Bjornsson. Witness Eddie's two-year journey as he transforms his body and mind from strength athlete to titan weight boxer. Get ringside access to Eddie's formidable mindset, he reflects on the lessons he's learned over the course of his life and draws on them to overcome each new setback. Featuring training diaries, 10 rounds of mental preparation and contributions from iconic friends including Ross Edgley, James Haskell, Paddy McGuinness, his family and inner circle, this is Eddie as you have never witnessed him before: 100 per cent authentic, honest and raw. Table of Contentsi: INTRODUCTION 1: ROUND 1: Fight or Flight 2: ROUND 2: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail 3: ROUND 3: Find a Mentor and a Nemesis 4: ROUND 4: Be a Lover and a Fighter 5: ROUND 5: Setbacks are Signposts to Success 6: ROUND 6: The Dark Place 7: ROUND 7: The Smelling Salts 8: ROUND 8: The Good and The Greatest 9: ROUND 9: The Taper 10: ROUND 10: The Mountain ii: CONCLUSION: Backing Up Your Bull for Life iii: EPILOGUE iv: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
£9.49
Octopus Publishing Group Real Punching
Book SynopsisHands are the most accessible, effective and natural tool available for use in self defence situations. This manual takes the reader step by step through the moves and techniques required to become competent in real punching. These moves can be used to compliment other forms of martial arts, or used alone in close-range self defence. Topics covered include sparring, stances, the jab, the cross, footwork, defences, "cheeky" shots and hooks.
£9.49
The Crowood Press Ltd Boxing: Training, Skills and Techniques
Book SynopsisBoxing - Training, Skills and Techniques is essential reading for both recreational and competitive boxers, and all those who wish to take up amateur boxing, or participate in a boxing-based programme. It offers practical advice on the many crucial factors that need to be taken into account if the boxer is to maximize his, or her, performance and potential. An overview of the history of boxing, the amateur code, boxing weights, recreational boxing, equipment and attire A detailed consideration of both basic and advanced techniques The role of the coach Fitness training, gym work, running, conditioning, speed and agility training Making the weight and nutrition Planning the season, and much more
£12.34
Vertical Editions The Legend: The story of Steve Ward, the world's
Book SynopsisThe Legend is the remarkable autobiography of Steve Ward, the world's oldest ever professional boxer. It details the astonishing obstacles Steve has overcome to become a three-times Guinness World Record holder after taking up the sport he loves again at the age of 54. Steve's unstinting ambition is driven by a promise made by his late father Bernard, who introduced him to boxing and told allcomers his son would be a world champion. His story is an inspiration to anyone who has hit hard times and proof of the old adage that all things are possible. A very serious foot injury sustained in a freak accident at work eventually led to Steve planning to kill himself before he bounced back to confound the medical profession and achieve his dream of winning a world title in his very last fight, at 64 years of age.
£10.79
BDM Publishing The SuperFight: Marvelous Marvin Hagler - Sugar
Book SynopsisTwo of the most prominent and celebrated athletes in the world, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard came together to contest the $100million SuperFight on April 6, 1987 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. From Frank Sinatra to U2, Joan Collins to Whoopi Goldberg, the stars were drawn to ringside by the huge box-office appeal of the blue-collar, dominant world middleweight champion facing his nemesis, the charismatic and flamboyant Sugar Ray, who was coming out of virtually five years of retirement. Drawing on his deep reservoir of nerve, outstanding technique and a strategy which Budd Schulberg - who provided Marlon Brando with the immortal line, 'I coulda been a contender' - called a compound optical illusion, Leonard won on points. It was boxing's greatest comeback, but to this day the judges' decision remains bitterly contested and not merely by the protagonists. But the story of The SuperFight is much more than the story of the fight, for it details two remarkable lives, the demons that drove both men and the formidable challenges they overcame inside and outside the ring. Hagler grew up in the Newark, New Jersey ghetto of Central Ward, where a riot/rebellion rooted in racism claimed the lives of 26 people, injured 1,000 more and, to the young teenager, was "like the end of the world". Fuelled by anger, he climbed to the top of his domain and ruled for seven years as champion, one of the most accomplished in boxing's annals. Leonard was an Olympic gold medallist and all-American hero whose career was cut short by a detached retina after he became the world welterweight king. He was Muhammad Ali's gifted and anointed successor but he succumbed to alcohol and drug abuse and for years was tormented by a secret - the sexual abuse he endured as an amateur boxer by a trusted coach. As provocative and polarising in its own way as Ali's defining rivalry with Joe Frazier, this is the story of The SuperFight, of Marvin Hagler and Ray Leonard and a fierce fire that still burns.Trade Review“Leonard moved, he boxed, he frustrated his opponent and that’s all part of fighting, too. The skulduggery, irritating the man in front of you - he wasn’t playing with him, he had a strategy. And don’t ever be fooled by the pretty face. Ray Leonard was a pit bull with a pretty face. Outside the ring, he was cute, articulate, smart, great looking, but deep down inside he was a vicious animal. When it comes to this fighting thing, he’s like a monster. Hagler was a ferocious animal himself, of course, and over the years, if you didn’t try to take him out, you couldn’t keep Hagler off you. You couldn’t just box this man. Look what he did to Hearns, which was brutal, amazing” - Mike Tyson … “The SuperFight is the story of two of the sport’s greatest, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard. It was one of the great fights, one of the epic fights, one of the biggest shocking fights of all-time and people still argue to this day over who won the fight. The author is a guy who respects the sport and cares about the sport and it’s important for people to know about the greatness of the sport and about the great fighters they might not always be aware of or how great they really were” - Teddy Atlas, The Big Fight with Teddy Atlas podcast … “Want to know the story behind the story of Leonard v Hagler? Everyone loves Brian Doogan’s hot new book on one of boxing’s greatest mysteries. It’s a knockout” - Ron Borges, Boston Herald … “The book is as enthralling as The SuperFight itself” - Gordon Marino, Wall Street Journal … “Painstakingly researched, entertainingly explained, Doogan’s interviews with both men and those connected to them reveal the behind-the-scenes machinations that enabled the richest fight in history to be made, grossing nearly $100 million. The book opens with Mike Tyson’s assessment of Leonard’s character: ‘Ray Leonard was a pit-bull with a pretty face. Outside the ring he was cute, articulate, smart, great looking. But deep inside he was a vicious animal. When it comes to this fighting thing he’s like a monster.’ The SuperFight is the perfect gift for fight fans” - Colin Hart, The Sun … “A long-lasting fascination with one of the greatest fights of all time has resulted in a wonderfully detailed and insightful book about Sugar Ray Leonard versus Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Brian Doogan, a vastly experienced sportswriter, weaves that epic of 33 years ago into the background of the golden era of Leonard, Hagler, Duran and Hearns and examines the still-running controversy over the decision in favour of Sugar Ray. This book is a must-read” - Jeff Powell, Mailonline … “The SuperFight, Brian Doogan’s book on the controversial Leonard-Hagler clash, is a must-read for boxing fans. I have never known a big fight which so divided opinion among respected judges” - Ian Darke, ESPN and BT Sport … “What makes Doogan’s book unique is the deep dive he takes with both fighters in and out of the ring. In disparate ways, the two had a past darkness in common. Doogan visited their lives and careers in depth. They were the centerpiece of the 1980s, after both beat Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran. Doogan tells a story that had not yet been told and deserved to be told in the rich, multi-layered context in which only Doogan can bring it. The SuperFight is a gem” - Joe Santoliquito, The Ring … “Brian Doogan joined me on the Fight Night podcast to talk about his new book, The SuperFight. I’ve read it and it’s a belter” - Adam Catterall, talkSPORT … “A great book on one of the epic fights” - Matt Macklin, Sky Sports, former world middleweight title challenger
£17.00
Rowman & Littlefield Sparring with Smokin' Joe: Joe Frazier's Epic
Book SynopsisJust in time for the fiftieth anniversary of The Fight of the Century (Ali–Frazier I), Sparrin’ with Smokin’ Joe provides a penetrating, at times brutally candid, look at legendary champion Joe Frazier. While the more flamboyant, media-accessible Ali continues to receive the lion’s share of the ink on their epic rivalry, Glenn Lewis rectifies that imbalance by focusing on the man whose ferocious fighting spirit enabled Ali to be viewed as truly great. Based on several months Lewis spent in the gym, on the road, and in verbal tussles with the Frazier as part of his inner circle in 1980, the book includes compelling, never-before-heard anecdotes that give new insight into Frazier and make readers reevaluate their impressions of Ali. Lewis argues that Joe actually won their second fight and even questions whether the wrong man got the mantle as “The Greatest.”
£17.09
Taschen GmbH Norman Mailer. Neil Leifer. Howard L. Bingham.
Book SynopsisOn October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, at the virtual center of Africa, two boxers were paid five million dollars apiece to confront each other in an epic match. One was Muhammad Ali, who vowed to reclaim the championship he had lost. The other was George Foreman, who was as taciturn as Ali was voluble and who kept his hands in his pockets “the way a hunter lays his rifle back into its velvet case.” Observing them both was Norman Mailer, whose grasp of the titanic battle’s feints and stratagems—and sensitivity to their deeper symbolism—made his 1975 book The Fight a masterpiece of sportswriting. Whether analyzing the fighters’ moves, interpreting their characters, or weighing their competing claims on the African and American souls, Mailer was a commentator of unparalleled acumen—and surely one of the few intrepid enough to accompany Ali on a late-night run through the bush. Through The Fight he restores our tarnished notions of heroism to a blinding gleam, and establishes himself as a champion in his own right. Over four decades after its original publication, this edition of The Fight has been introduced and abridged by Mailer scholar J. Michael Lennon and illustrated for the first time with principal photography by the two men who captured Ali and Foreman in the ring and in private like no one else: Neil Leifer and Howard L. Bingham. Widely considered to be the greatest sports photographer of his generation, Neil Leifer’s vibrant color coverage dominates from ringside. It also serves as a living testimony to the pageantry, sheer physical power, and deep psychological interplay of the fighters, their camps, and their controversial host, Zaire’s President Mobutu Sese Seko. Behind the scenes, meanwhile, Howard Bingham was Ali’s constant companion, documenting his every move from the moment he stepped off the plane in Zaire, his daily training regime, right through to the dressing room tension as he prepared to face Foreman once and for all. Together with pictures from other photojournalists, reproductions of Mailer’s original manuscript pages, and additional visual documentation of the media frenzy surrounding the “Rumble in the Jungle,” the result is a dazzling tribute to The Champ and a vivid document of one of the most epic, adrenaline-laced events in sporting history.Trade Review“…the most in-depth look at every step of the fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.” * thedailybeast.com *“A sensitive portrait of an extraordinary athlete and man, and a pugilistic drama fully as exciting as the reality on which it is based.” * The New York Times *“No fighter, no American athlete, would ever be so connected with a writer as Ali would be with Mailer.” * The Atlantic *
£60.00