Boxing Books

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Book SynopsisAs featured in the BBC 4 documentary: Murder In Soho, Who Killed Freddie Mills?Seven young women, all murdered in the most disgusting manner imaginable. Unimaginable, in fact: a first of its kind, and never before explicitly revealed. All the victims were prostitutes. All were dumped naked after having been stored by their killer as sex toys. Some of them were mothers. Each was someone's daughter. And for more than fifty years the author has lived with the haunting secret that he was once suspected by Scotland Yard of being a serial killer more depraved and dangerous than Jack the Ripper. In the killing-spree that lasted more than a year, the author had a mole deep inside Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, similar to "Deep Throat" of Watergate scandal, who was drip-feeding him the step-by-step ploys to snare the monster who brought terror to the streets of West London. Hundreds of police women, posing as prostitutes, flooded the red-light districts, hoping to be selected by the killer - more hopeful, though, that the back-up would swoop to the rescue in time. At one point, Scotland Yard feared that a prostitute, missing for more than a fortnight, had become the eighth victim and appealed to the public for help. It took the author just eleven hours to track her down and hand her alive and well to the Murder Squad. When the killings stopped, the most senior member of the Murder Squad claimed that the serial killer had committed suicide and an innocent man was named in a deceitful cover-up. The author fingers the real serial killer, a celebrity and national treasure who died in circumstances arguably even more bizarre than the manner in which he murdered his victims.

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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

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Book SynopsisFighting Men of London explores the lives of seven former professional boxers who fought in the capital between the 1930s and 1960s. Set around a series of interviews, it resurrects a golden age of the sport when boxing was as popular as football and Britain's leading fighters were working-class heroes. Dramatic, poignant, inspiring and at times funny, the book covers such subjects as booth fighting, exploitation in boxing, East End poverty, World War Two London, Jewish culture, fame and success, crime, prison life and encounters with such figures as the Kray twins, the Great Train Robbers and Britain's most infamous inmate, Charles Bronson. Fighting Men of London takes us on a journey through a lost era of smoky fight halls, ramshackle boxing arenas and courageous fighting men. It features the previously untold stories of 1950s boxing star Sammy McCarthy, Bethnal Green knockout specialist Ted Berry (an associate of the Kray twins) and Sid Nathan, who as one of Britain's last surviving 1930s boxers once shared a fight bill with the great Jack Kid Berg. This isn't a single story, but seven stories of seven very different men. The common bond they shared was boxing.

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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.

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Book SynopsisEvery once in a while, a book publisher comes up with a great concept for a series of books that deserve more than superficial recognition. Such a series is The Greatest (fill in the blank) Stories Ever Told, anthologies that should win places on many bedside tables. On the long winter nights that lie ahead, such stories make great reading. -The Lexington County Chronicle THE GREATEST BOXING STORIES EVER TOLD assembles some of the best writing available on the sweet science and illuminates boxing in all its literal and symbolic glory. Each piece in this varied collection connects with the sort of powerful punch one can only expect from the world''s greatest writers. -Boxing Digest In THE GREATEST BOXING STORIES EVER TOLD, editor Jeff Silverman delivers a knockout collection of not only the best writing ever penned on the subject of the sweet science, but also stories that relate to the larger human issues the brutal sport has come to embody. Whether the story be abTrade Review"Every once in a while, a book publisher comes up with a great concept for a series of books that deserve more than superficial recognition. Such a series is "The Greatest (fill in the blank) Stories Ever Told", anthologies that should win places on many bedside tables. On the long winter nights that lie ahead, such stories make great reading."--The Lexington County Chronicle

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Book SynopsisRubin "Hurricane" Carter was riding a wave of success. The survivor of a difficult youth, he rose to become a top contender for the middleweight boxing crown. But his career crashed to a halt on May 26, 1967, when he and another man were found guilty of the murder of three white people and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. Written from prison and first published in 1974, The Sixteenth Round chronicles Hurricane's journey from the ring to solitary confinement. The book was his cry for help to the public, an attempt to set the record straight and force a new trial. Bob Dylan wrote his classic anthem "Hurricane" about his struggle, and Muhammad Ali and thousands of others took up his cause. The power of Carter's voice, as well as his ironic humor, makes this an eloquent, soul-stirring account of a remarkable life.Trade Review"A document of life lived in the center of hell." --Sports Illustrated"When they come to list the greatest boxers, Hurrican's name isn't likely to pop up in the Top 10. But when they come to list the greatest figures of the 20th century, he'll be alone at the peak." -- Boston Globe"A shocking, savage and brilliant indictment of racial injustice and the inhumanity of the prison." -- Globe and Mail"Carter's scorching and poetic autobiography." -- Toronto Sun

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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

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Book SynopsisGreatest of All Time: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali is not just a book; it is a testament to the extraordinary life of one of the world’s most famous athletes. GOAT delves into the intricate layers of Ali’s existence, tracing Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.’s journey from his humble beginnings navigating segregation and financial hardship in Louisville, Kentucky, to his evolution into the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Essays by those closest to him reveal stories behind monumental fights like those with Sonny Liston, the Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman, and Thrilla in Manila against Joe Frazier. The book also explores Ali’s signature fighting style, which, when paired with his rapper-style wit, positioned him as a charismatic figure inside and outside the ring.Beyond boxing, GOAT weaves together Ali’s historic moments with his resilience against discrimination and his determination to confront racial inequities. His triumph at the 1960 Rome Olympics was marred by hostility, underscoring the racial tensions he faced; Ali boldly challenged these prevailing biases. The boxer’s embrace of Islam became a cornerstone of his moral standards, guiding his principles against racism, inequality, and undue violence, with the latter informing his staunch opposition to the Vietnam War. Interspersed between these accounts are thousands of historical documents and images of Ali, including the boxer’s documentarian-turned-confidant Howard Bingham’s intimate snapshots, Neil Leifer and Flip Schulke’s iconic pictures, and Hank Kaplan’s archival contributions. Stills from Leon Gast's film ‘When We Were Kings’, which told the story of Ali’s pivotal 1974 fight, are also included in the volume.GOAT is a heartfelt homage to a boxing legend, exploring Muhammad Ali’s indomitable spirit and celebrating his enduring impact on civil rights, sports, and culture.Trade Review“GOAT sets whole new standards. Books such as these shatter conventions and exert a fascination often only associated with other branches: eccentric and unforgettable.” * Buchmarkt *"Published by TASCHEN, this latest release contains a complete record of Ali's career, essays by leading writers and hundreds more remarkable images. It is all the Ali you need." * Red Bulletin * "A monument on paper, the most megalomaniacal book in the history of civilization, the biggest, heaviest, most radiant thing ever printed—Ali’s last victory." * Der Spiegel *

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Book SynopsisMarch 2016: following a brutal title fight with Chris Eubank Jr, former British champion Nick Blackwell ended up fighting for his life in a coma. That night, victory was no longer important; boxing was no longer a sport.Elliot Worsell, journalist and lifelong boxing fan, had been ringside and in the dressing rooms at Wembley, and what he saw and heard would transform his view of the sport he loves and force him to question his own complicity.In Dog Rounds, Worsell goes in search of boxers who have killed in the ring. Spending time with these pariahs and returning to the venues in which tragedies occurred, Worsell reveals the extent of the devastation left behind. In doing so, he uncovers an incredible story of guilt, forgiveness, obsession and violence.Trade ReviewI left the book outside at the smoking area at Dublin airport just as the Eubanks were in the sixth round. I then found another copy at Heathrow. Dog Rounds is an outstanding book. -- Doug StanhopeI've not read a better sports book this year. Insightful, conflicted and especially moving -- Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Writer, The TimesOne of my favourite sports books of this year -- Matt Williams * Radio 2 *Best Holiday Read 2017 -- Ross Raisin * Observer *

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Book Synopsis“The story of the legendary martial arts fighter and kickboxer Oum Ry is by turns pulse-pounding, disturbing, and powerful. His is an astonishing life told beautifully by his daughter Zochada Tat and Addi Somekh. The book will grip you from its first pages and not let you go."—Jeff Chang, author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop GenerationOum Ry (b.1944) is a former international champion kickboxer who first brought the Cambodian martial art Pradal Serey to the United States. When his family of silver engravers couldn't afford his food or schooling, he lived with monks until seeking out Pradal Serey masters, soon becoming national champion at 23 years old and one of the most famous fighters in the region. For 15 years, he toured Southeast Asia, and without ever suffering a knock-out, won more than 250 fights. After a young man’s dream-life of stardom, parties, and girls, his new wife gave birth to a child in 1975, two months before the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh and threw the country into the chaos of civil war, where starvation, disease, and mass executions were common.Oum Ry survived the genocide though much of his family perished. He was saved many times from death in Cambodia due to fame, talent, and his resilience, but suffered a life-threatening attack during Southern California’s epic gang violence of the 1990s. Earlier, as a refugee with his young family in Chicago, Oum Ry learned English while working cleaning hotels. But within a few years, he had an investor in Long Beach, California and opened one of the first kickboxing gyms in the United States.This is Oum Ry's life story, which is propelled by his highly anticipated return to Cambodia in February 2022 to reunite with family and to pass on Pradal Serey traditions to the next generation.Trade Review“This memoir strikes hard on multiple levels. It is a reflection of contemporary America and the transnational, transcultural, immigrant experience that many Americans live, whether themselves or vicariously. Oum Ry, like many other fortunate refugees makes his way to the United States where he finds both happiness and deep disappointment. The life of a migrant is bittersweet, filled with hope and longing. Oum Ry’s life has been a rollercoaster in and out of the fighter’s ring, dramatic in positive and negative ways. His is a life worth the reading.”—Dr. JoAnn LoSavio, Washington State University, VancouverTable of ContentsPreface1 – Father and Daughter2 – Childhood3 – Pradal Serey4 – Champion5 – Genocide6 – Refugee7 – America8 – Long Beach9 –Attack10 – ReturnNotesAfterword " Oum Ry's Life in the Context of Cambodia's History" by Michael G. Vann, Ph.D.Appendices:TimelineArchive: Photographs and DocumentsAcknowledgments

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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

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Book Synopsis''To be legendary you got to have heart... Ray''s heart was bigger than all the rest'' Muhammad AliSUGAR RAY LEONARD was one of the greatest boxers ever. An artist and a showman he was always willing to take the difficult fight: his gruelling encounters with Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler have become legendary.Ray''s autobiography takes you into the ring - with the mind games, brutality and euphroia. But, outside of the ring, Ray''s biggest opponent was himself. From early domestic violence and sexual abuse to a blur of fame, sex, greed, drink and drug addiction at the height of his career that cost him so much, The Big Fight is a remarkable portrait of the rise, fall and final redeption of a true fighter in every sense.Trade ReviewGripping and revealing… the raw truth -- Donald McRae * Guardian *[An] uninhibited memoir… Sugar Ray’s bittersweet ascent to greatness * Daily Telegraph *A fascinating, illuminating, engaging story of what it takes to be successful at the highest levels. Simultaneously, The Big Fight is a most instructive study of competitive strategy * New York Journal of Books *

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Book SynopsisCarl Froch was born in Nottingham in 1977. He is a four-time world champion at super middleweight and currently holds the WBA and IBF belts. His professional record is 33 wins (24 by knock-out) and 2 losses. He lives with his partner Rachael and their two children Rocco and Natalia.Niall Hickman is the boxing correspondent for the Daily Express. He previously worked with Ricky Hatton on his autobiography The Hitman.Trade ReviewThe saviour of British boxing * Daily Mail *Carl has fought, without doubt, the toughest list of world class fighters in succession. No other British fighter in history can claim such a record * David Haye *One of the finest fighters on the planet * Guardian *

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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 *

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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.

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Book SynopsisThe Yorkshire Hunter tells the story of boxing champion Paul Ingle, endearing and enduring product of one of Scarborough's toughest housing estates, who never deserted his roots. It is the tale of a fighter who won world titles and represented his country but who, left with a blood clot on his brain, fought his fiercest battle outside the ring.Trade ReviewJoe Calzaghe - "An excellent fighter and a good champion and a great guy. He was a very special talent and showed that against Naz - at a time when Naz was invincible Paul caused him a lot of problems and was unlucky to lose. One of them was going to run out of steam and it was unlucky it was him. Billy Hardy - "Paul's work rate was immense. He was called the Yorkshire Hunter for a reason! When he had somebody on the back foot, he wouldn't let them off the hook with his power and energy." Johnny Nelson - "A true Yorkshireman through and through. If you looked up Yorkshire Terrier in the dictionary there should be a picture of Paul Ingle there. He was in it for the game not the fame." Glen McCrory - "Every time he won a new title, he would become the first featherweight British champ, then first Commonwealth etc in Scarborough. Everything he did came with a headline. He re-wrote history every time he stepped in the ring and the people in the local area loved him for that. Especially as he never wanted to move away. They were loyal to him - he repaid that loyalty at every opportunity he could. A gritty, fiery, determined, tough individual, who would always give better than his best every time he stepped into the ring." IBO President, Ed Levine - "Winning two world titles that day in the boxing mecca of the United States has to be the pinnacle for any champion." Graham Earl - "I've sparred with a number of world champions and I can honestly say he's one of the most down to earth likeable person to have ever worn a world title belt and to have become a friend of his is something very special to me. A true world champion and a humble guy inside and outside of the ring. Even if I try hard, I can't think of a bad thing to say about the fella." Adam Smith - "I have always had a soft spot for Paul Ingle. A true fighter through his career, and an even braver fighter after it. Paul always had a wonderful sense of humour and was a pleasure to interview. Still has, and still is. A world class boxing man through and through." Robin Reid - "He shouldn't be remembered for what happened at the end of his career, he should be remembered for what he achieved during it. He was an incredible fighter." Tris Dixon, editor of Boxing News - "What a warrior, what an underrated warrior Ingle was. Paul was a throwback, he would hunt you down, chase you all night and thrill those who'd paid to watch the brutal little man at work."

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF BEST SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2022**''Hard-hitting and hilarious'' - James Acaster''Funny, moving and compelling'' - Mike CostelloA heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family, based on the acclaimed stage show. For fans of books by Dave Gorman, James Acaster and Danny Wallace, along with boxing tales from the likes of Tyson Fury and Ricky Hatton.THE CHAMPTerry Downes - the charismatic cockney known as ''The Paddington Express'' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters'' favourite and later a film star and businessman. THE CHUMPJames McNicholas'' PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he''d be dead by the time he was 23. James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant stints as a car park caretaker and river cruise salesperson. After Terry''s death, James finds himself in reTrade ReviewAn extraordinary family history, told with warmth and wit. Two remarkable underdog stories - come for the cockney scrapper who conquered the world, stay for the grandson and the fight of his life * Greg Jenner *Funny, moving and compelling * Mike Costello *I loved this book: poignant and funny * Suzi Ruffell *Hard-hitting and hilarious * James Acaster *A wonderfully funny and heartfelt story of what family and lineage means * Josh Widdicombe *If you like comedy and boxing this is the perfect book. James McNicholas is a very funny man and a brilliant writer * Rob Beckett *

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Book Synopsis This second collection of the author''s 24 exclusive interviews with boxing insiders features some of the most influential personalities in ring history, including former heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield and promoters Don King and Kathy Duva. Other interviewees include trainers Ronnie Shields and Virgil Hunter, former HBO blow-by-blow announcer Jim Lampley, and judge Duane Ford, along with some names perhaps unfamiliar to many of the boxing public who work as driving forces behind the sport.Table of Contents Table of Contents Acknowledgments Foreword by "Iceman" John Scully Prologue: Why I Write About Boxing Fighters 1—Lennox Lewis: The Emperor 2—Winky Wright: Undisputed 3—Ivan Robinson: Fight of the Year 4—Jose Antonio Rivera: The Rooster 5—Dwight Muhammad Qawi: The ABC Plan 6—Chris Byrd: Little Big Man 7—George Chuvalo: Still Standing 8—Caveman Lee: Runaway Child 9—Evander Holyfield: The Warrior Trainers and Cutmen 10—Ronnie Shields: Any Given Sunday 11—Virgil Hunter: From the Root to the Fruit 12—Roger Bloodworth: Different Seasons 13—Jack Loew: Grooming the Pride of Youngstown 14—Winston Shaw: A Place Called Gamble 15—Ray Rodgers: Golden Gloves Education 16—Don Turner: The Gym at Clark & Central Promoters and Managers 17—Lou DiBella: After Dark 18—Pat Lynch: Legendary Nights 19—Kathy Duva: Ice World 20—Don King: Once and for All 21—J Russell Peltz: The Blue Horizon Announcers and Officials 22—Jim Lampley: World Championship Boxing 23—Duane Ford: Through the Eyes of a Judge 24—Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum: Commissioner Emeritus Epilogue: A ­10-Count Index

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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.

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Book SynopsisJourneymen tells a story that is often purposely ignored - that of the modern-day boxers who lose for a living. Far from huge purses and pay-per-view hype, the book lays bare the reality of the boxing business and the way it works in small-hall venues countrywide. October 2013 saw the 100th and final fight in the career of East London's Johnny Greaves, remarkable in that he won only four contests. He took fights at short notice, facing young prospects with the implicit understanding that he was not there to win. Journeymen features in-depth interviews with Greaves and other men who have similarly served the fight game, including Kristian Laight (180 defeats), Jason Nesbitt (178) and Daniel Thorpe (113). Though sometimes dark, their tales reveal humour, wisdom and sporting pride: the journeymen eschew glamour, make the best of what they have and face the world with a smile and a wink.

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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.

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Book SynopsisFighting Back is the story of a different kind of boxing superstar - a hero for winning his battles outside as well as inside the ring. When he outpointed Wladimir Klitschko, on one of the greatest nights in British boxing history, Tyson Fury sat on top of the world. But 'The Gypsy King' soon discovered that being heavyweight champion wasn't all he had imagined. His own demons would prove harder to conquer than Klitschko. In the following months, Tyson drank and ate to excess, took drugs and contemplated suicide. He seemed destined for an early grave. But, with the help of his family, Fury dealt with his issues and launched a boxing comeback - after shedding an incredible ten stones in weight! Fury eased back with a couple of straightforward wins. Then, in what appeared a foolhardy, if very brave, move, he challenged unbeaten KO specialist Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship in Los Angeles. Having followed Fury's career from his first amateur bout, author Matt Bozeat has spent time with Fury and his family trying to get to know and fathom out this most remarkable of fighters and people. The result is the humour-laden, heart-wrenching, inspirational story of a boxer who conquered the world, lost everything - and then got it back.

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Book Synopsis Belfast?s Carl ?The Jackal? Frampton MBE is no ordinary boxer. One of only three fighters from the British Isles to be named theRing MagazineFighter of the Year, he has headlined multiple sell-out world championship bouts on both sides of the Atlantic, winning multiple world titles in the process. His dedicated army of fans have traversed the globe to be ringside throughout it all. But Frampton?s popularity far exceeds the traditional adulation for a sporting icon; he is regarded as a symbol of hope and unity by both sides of the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland. In this captivating autobiography, Frampton reveals the most personal aspects of being a fighter; of fears and doubts, of exhilaration and devastation, of friendship and animosity. He also recounts for the first time his high-profile, acrimonious split with Barry McGuigan, in devastating and revealing detail. Frampton speaks openly and passionately, not only about boxing, but about his country, how far it has come and the problems it faces. This is a uniquely intimate account of a true modern-day sporting great and a local hero like no other.

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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 "

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Book SynopsisBlood, Brawn, Brains and Broken Noses explores the evolution of pugilism, better known as boxing, from its origins in Ancient Greece and Rome to the present day. In England, pugilism became a popular form of entertainment, leading to a golden age, which the book covers in detail along with the careers of five champion pugilists. But the sport hit a major hitch when bare-knuckle pugilism clashed with Victorian morals, and it was superseded by gloved boxing. Afterwards, bare-knuckle boxing went underground and was practised clandestinely and seen only by a select few. The book examines the thoughts of ancient philosophers to explain why pugilism became part of British culture. Nineteenth-century philosophies such as Social Darwinism, Muscular Christianity and Rational Recreation are also explored along with how Rational Recreation influences boxing today. What are the sociological factors that motivate people to take up boxing? And how can the sport prevent societal ills? Blood, Brawn, Brains and Broken Noses holds the answers.

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Book SynopsisKing of the Journeymen is the gripping autobiography of Peter Buckley, a pro boxer who fought 300 times and was a 'stepping stone' for world champions such as Naseem Hamed and Duke McKenzie. As a boy, Buckley shone as an amateur boxer, but outside the ring he was heading for trouble. He was suspended numerous times from school and sent to prison at age 15 for assault and robbery. Whilst inside, his father died. His life felt hopeless and seemed to be going nowhere. But after his release he turned to professional boxing and things started to improve. Labelled a journeyman, he fought often and lost often, whilst earning more money than he'd thought possible. Buckley never refused a fight, often accepting bouts at a few hours' notice or after a night out. King of the Journeymen is an inspirational tale of a man tenaciously fighting for a better life. Although he lost more fights than he won, Buckley persevered with his career and attained widespread respect from boxers and fans alike.

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Hugh McIlvanney is a living legend in sports journalism. A regular winner of the fiercely contested UK Sports Writer of the Year award, he also has the unique distinction of being the only sports writer to have been voted Journalist of the Year. He is respected for his incisive commentaries and perceptive analyses of football and racing, but this collection contains the best of his writing on his first great passion, boxing. The book features in-depth analysis of the build-up, climax and aftermath of over 25 showdowns including: Muhammad Ali vs. Henry Cooper (1966) Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (1971) George Foreman vs. Ken Norton (1974) Eusibio Pedvoza vs. Barry McGuigan (1985) Lloyd Honeyghan vs. Marlon Starling (1989) Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno (1989) An essential read for boxing lovers of all ages with writing so vivid that readers will feel like they have a ringside seat.

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Book SynopsisThe American boxing champion Emile Griffith gained notoriety in 1962 when he brutally defeated the Cuban fighter Benny Paret. Ten days after the fight, Paret, who had directed a homophobic slur at Griffith during the weigh-in, died from his injuries. In Knock Out!, Reinhard Kleist draws a powerful, emotive portrait of a bisexual black athlete who, facing racism and homophobia in 1960s America, found success in the world of boxing. This is the story of a fierce and ambitious fighter, and of a knock-out blow that ended one life and changed a second forever.

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Book Synopsis“The story of Ike Ibeabuchi is one of the strangest in modern boxing history and Luke G. Williams has told it with great clarity, sensitivity, and skill. President of Pandemonium is crammed with raw and revealing details as Williams draws us into the unsettling world of a man as vulnerable as he was destructive. It is a gripping read.”—Donald McRae, The Guardian Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi had the boxing world at his feet in 1997 after vanquishing David Tua in a battle for the ages in Sacramento. The Nigerian heavyweight’s subsequent descent into a vortex of mental illness and crime and punishment was as shocking as it was tragic. Was Ibeabuchi a vulnerable man exploited by a ruthless sport and a dysfunctional criminal justice system, or was he guilty-as-charged for his deeds and rightly punished? Somewhere amid a colorful cast of characters including Republican politicians, crooked promoters, and demons hiding in air-conditioning units, lies the uncomfortable truth. In President of Pandemonium, Luke G. Williams vividly recreates Ibeabuchi’s life in and out of the ring. Combining exclusive interviews with those who guided his career and observed him closely, as well as firsthand testimony from “The President” himself, this is a story of brilliance destroyed by dark forces, both real and imagined.

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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.”

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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

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Book SynopsisSuccessful Boxing is the ultimate training manual for aspiring boxers. This indispensable resource shares tips and suggestions on how to improve skills and maximize performance. With inspiration and advice from World Champions Sergio Martinez, Saul Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and a foreword by legendary World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez, using the information presented in this book will be just like receiving private sessions with a coach or top performer. These tips and training methods allow you to master the individual nuances of boxing to give you the winning edge. Whether you are new to the sport or a serious competitor, this book will help you reach the next level of skill development.

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Book SynopsisTHE STORY BEHIND THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED THE FACE OF BOXING FOREVER, OBE NICOLA ADAMSAt London 2012, Nicola Adams made history when she became the first woman ever to win an Olympic Gold medal for boxing. In Rio 2016, with the nation cheering her on, she did it all over again. Years of relentless training, fundraising and determination have seen Nicola battle through injury, prejudice and defeat to become one of Britain best-loved athletes and an inspiration to all those who are chasing after a seemingly impossible dream. From a leisure centre in Leeds to the Olympic Stadium in Rio, Nicola with her famous smile has become an LGBTQ+ icon and the poster girl for women in sport. This is her story of grit, talent and the real person behind the smile.Nicola is soon to be a contestant on BBC''s Strictly Come Dancing in the show''s first same-sex pairing. ____________________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICOLA:Trade ReviewThe British public don't just admire her, they love her * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFrom the daughter of Muhammad Ali comes an intimate portrait of the heavyweight boxing champion and a final love letter from a daughter to her father. Through audio journals, love letters and cherished memories, Ali''s daughter Hana tells the story of a very typical and yet fully-unique family, the rise and fall of her parent's marriage and the struggles they faced as a family surrounding Ali's loss to Larry Holmes in 1981.With the decline of Ali's voice, his recordings are important to history as they are to his personal legacy. At Home with Muhammad Ali offers a candid look at a man who was trying to find his purpose in the world as he realized he was coming to the end of his lucrative sporting career, all the while trying to balance fatherhood and his worldly and political obligations. Additionally, Hana tells of the everyday adventures that the family experienced around the housewith visitors like Michael Jackson and Clint Eastwood dropping by. And Trade ReviewThis book is an amazing insight into an incredible man * Lorraine Kelly *To millions of fans his reputation went beyond the boxing ring. In At Home With Muhammad Ali, Hana Ali tells what it was like to grow up with the most legendary name in sport. [The book] vividly evokes an Ali who is barely recognisable as the cocky, complicated boxer and incendiary political figure depicted in obituaries. Instead, Hana fleshes out the Ali of his later years... She presents her father as a funny, doting family man who looks for ways to bring joy to ordinary people. Ultimately, his final victory is his greatest: coming to terms with this illness after realising that it was the one opponent he would never beat. * The Times *Intimate... Moving... [This] memoir charts Hana's treasured memories of a man hailed as one of the first global superstars of sport. * Sunday Mirror *How wonderful, after decades of thoughtful but at-a-distance portraits of Muhammad Ali, we have this exquisite and movingly intimate one. His daughter, Hana, has permitted us all to fill out—with love—our own sense of the real man behind all the mythology. This is a hugely important addition to our understanding of the Greatest of All Time. -- Ken Burns, filmmakerA famous man will be viewed one way by the public. Another by his wife. Another by his children. Hana brings together these vantage points — and allows everyone to see Muhammad Ali in a new light. -- Larry King

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Book Synopsis*FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE BIGGEST FIGHTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS*''Essential reading for anyone with even a fleeting interest in boxing'' Boxing Monthly ''Nobody knows British fighters and their stories better than Steve Bunce'' Daily TelegraphBoxing is Steve Bunce''s game. He has filed thousands and thousands of fight reports from ringside. He has written millions and millions of words for national newspapers previewing boxing, profiling boxers and proselytising on the business. He has been the voice of British boxing on the airwaves, both radio and television, with an army of loyal fans. And now it''s time to put those many years of experience into penning his history of the sport of kings on these isles. It''s Bunce''s Big Fat Short History of British Boxing.Starting in 1970, the beginning of modern boxing in Britain, Bunce takes us from Joe Bugner beating Henry Cooper to Trade ReviewA history that crackles with energy and is rich in empathy. * Daily Telegraph *I went on some crazy boxing journeys and Steve was always there * Ricky Hatton *Outstanding * Carl Froch *

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Book Synopsis Boxing was phenomenally popular in 18th and 19th century Britain. Aristocrats attended matches and patronized boxers, and the most important fights drew tens of thousands of spectators. Promoters of the sport claimed that it showcased the timeless and authentic ideal of English manhood--a rock of stability in changing times. Yet many of the best fighters of the era were Irish, Jewish or black. This history focuses on how boxers, journalists, politicians, pub owners and others used national, religious and racial identities to promote pugilism and its pure English pedigree, even as ethnic minorities won distinction in the sport, putting the diversity of the Empire on display.

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Book Synopsis While many of his peers began their careers as farmers and factory workers, Leo Florian Houck became a boxing sensation at age 14, enabling him to support his mother and six siblings after his father''s death. Houck''s career really took off in 1911 with a 20-round victory over world-class welterweight Harry Lewis in Paris. During 1913 Leo became the leading middleweight contender in America. This biography details Houck''s early years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, his long career in the ring--including 200 fights--and his 27 years as Penn State''s legendary boxing coach.

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Book SynopsisKicking ass and taking notes—what it’s like to be a woman in the ring. Alison Dean teaches English literature. She also punches people. Hard. But despite several amateur fights under her belt, she knows she will never be taken as seriously as a male boxer. “You punch like a girl” still isn’t a compliment — women aren’t supposed to choose to participate in violence. Her unique perspective as a 30-something university lecturer turned amateur fighter allows Dean to articulately and with great insight delve into the ways martial arts can change a person’s — and particularly a woman’s — relationship to their body and to the world around them, and at the same time considers the ways in which women might change martial arts. Combining historical research, anecdotal experience, and interviews with coaches and fighters, Seconds Out explores our culture’s relationship with violence, and particularly with violence practiced by women. "An important addition to women’s martial arts scholarship, Dean provides personal insight into the radical space women occupy in sport fighting. Seconds Out is a must-read for all fighters looking for mentors in the complicated world of martial arts." —L.A. Jennings, author of Mixed Martial Arts: A History from Ancient Fighting Sports to the UFC "Dean brings a fresh new female voice to the topic of combat sports." —Trevor Wittman, renowned MMA trainer, UFC analyst, and founder of ONX Sports "Trained in the discipline and art of both fighting and literature, Dean combines both with style. She honors the fighters, writers, and historians who have come before her and definitively ends the idea of women fighters as a novelty. Seconds Out is a must-read for anyone who feels the call of the bell and reverence for a good fight." —Sue Jaye JohnsonTrade Review"Seconds Out is, to put it bluntly, a joy to read, even for those (like this reviewer) who have no real interest in professional fighting." —Quill and Quire Review

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Book SynopsisThe Joshua Files traces the story of Britain's latest heavyweight hero from the building site to the top of the boxing world and beyond. Anthony Joshua's fight with Wladimir Klitschko, in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, transformed the fighter not only into a national hero but also a global star. Having worked as a boxing journalist for almost 30 years for Boxing News, Boxing Monthly and Sky Sports, Matt Bozeat was perfectly placed to follow Joshua from a ringside seat from the very start of his professional career. Joshua turned pro soon after winning gold at the London Olympics in 2012, and has since surpassed all expectations, going on to dominate the division with a 100 per cent KO record. The Joshua Files tells exactly how he fought his way to the top, through revealing and insightful interviews with the fighter himself, as well as with the boxing experts, trainers, sparring partners and opponents who have the closest insider knowledge of Anthony's incredible rise.

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Book SynopsisHenry Armstrong: Boxing's Super Champ is the story of arguably the most incredible fighter in the history of boxing - told by one of the few surviving writers to have been around during Armstrong's unique world championship reign. When Henry had his arm raised on 17 August 1938, after winning a blood-spattered 15-round decision over Lou Ambers, he became the first boxer to simultaneously hold world titles at three different weights - and somehow he managed the feat in an era of just eight weight classes, with no 'junior' or 'super' divisions. He had entered Madison Square Garden as the reigning world feather and welterweight champion, and left with the world lightweight belt strapped around his waist. Now in his 90s, veteran boxing journalist and author John Jarrett looks back on the life and career of this ring hero of his youth: a 5ft 51/2in buzzsaw they nicknamed 'Homicide Hank'. In the 85 years that have passed since then, nobody has matched Armstrong's amazing triple-championship feat. It's likely no one ever will.Trade Review"A colourful and controversial career (and life) – including financial help from actress Mae West – is covered in full, with alcoholism awaiting 'Homicide Hank' in the blue corner, and Bible-bashing awaiting 'Hammerin' Hank' in the red… One ring, twenty-two chapters, 352 pages, in 1938, real name, Henry Jackson Jr, became the only boxer in history to hold the following [world titles] at the same time – featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. Quite an achievement – just like this very well-written book, which lives and relives some great boxing action." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"Jarrett's Armstrong study is one of the more well-researched and immersive boxing books I’ve been fortunate enough to read. The colourful characters of the black and white era have rarely been so well-rendered as they are here. Jarrett takes you into the gyms, small halls, arenas and stadiums of boxing’s golden age... The 92-year-old is by most measures the oldest scribe in all of fistiana. Jarrett is also one of the most uniquely qualified. He is a vital through-line from the wonderful fighters of the mid-20th century... Jarrett lovingly compiles fight reports from the day to allow the reader to experience Armstrong's journey in real-time. 'Super Champ' leaves the reader invigorated by a time when boxing's stars spent more of their time in the ring and took on all-comers. A must-read for curious modern fans and wistful vintage watchers alike." -- Joey Mills * The Sportsman *"Henry Armstrong: Boxing’s Super Champ is John Jarrett’s retelling of the career of genuine boxing legend Henry Armstrong, the only boxer to ever simultaneously hold world titles at three different weights... [it is] the product of an enormous amount of research and editing. It might also be truer to say (and I mean this as a compliment), that Jarrett is less the author of this book and more the compiler, with the text mainly being taken from archival sources of printed material contemporary with Armstrong’s career. There are numerous sections of opinion pieces, lifted from The Ring magazine and a number of LA and New York based newspapers, by writers who have gone down in legend and/or been inducted into the various national and international boxing halls of fame." -- David Turner * Writers on Boxing *

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Book SynopsisIt was the funniest fight build-up of Muhammad Ali's career - and publicist and writer Norman Giller saw it all. British bulldog Richard Dunn was challenging Ali for the world heavyweight crown in Munich in 1976, and Giller hired the eccentric hypnotist Romark to convince Richard that he could topple 'The Greatest'. What Romark kept to himself was that he planned to put a curse on Ali that would doom him to failure. Recalling arguably the most bizarre fight build-up ever, Giller has penned a book that is laugh-out-loud funny, peopled by a colourful cast that includes irascible matchmaker Mickey Duff, millionaire magnate Jarvis Astaire, much-hated heavyweight rival Joe Bugner, Richard's father-in-law, trainer and minder Jimmy Devanney, a paratrooper regiment and 54 Ali hangers-on. The match bankrupted its promoters and lost more money than any heavyweight title fight in history. Romark claimed credit for the stage collapsing at a chaotic weigh-in ceremony, while 'Cinderella Man' Dunn got beaten up and was hailed a hero.Trade Review"Hilarious and bizarre…arguably the strangest fight build-up ever, and the colourful characters includes matchmaker and gambling addict Mickey Duff (Giller’s roommate in Munich), millionaire magnate Jarvis Astaire, Richard’s bitter rival Joe Bugner, Richard’s father-in-law, trainer and minder Jimmy Devanney, his wife, Janet, a jealous sparring partner who decided he wanted to be the star and "54 Ali hangers-on who threatened to bankrupt him"." -- Louise Howeson * The Southend Echo *"The Man Who Put A Curse On Muhammad Ali is a most interesting boxing book with 256 opinionated pages from an expert writer… There’s plenty of humour in Norman recollecting how a hypnotist was hired in the attempt for a southpaw to beat 'The Greatest' - Muhammed Ali… As well as intensely describing the fight, round by round, blow by blow, Giller also highlights the boxing careers of various other, and notable, heavyweight greats." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"This factual story contains enough amazing characters that you could be forgiven for thinking this was pure fiction but, as the author states, you couldn’t make it up." -- David Brown * Best of British magazine *"The book reveals the author’s mixed emotions about boxing, a sport he has been involved with for decades… This book is often funny and bizarre but also provides an insight into the world of boxing. A very entertaining read for sports fans." * sixtyplusurfers.co.uk *"There’s an incredible story to be told and it’s told well… Giller was at the heart of all this, spoke at length to both Dunn and Ali, and his liking, almost love, for them shines through, as does his enthusiasm for those days almost 50 years ago when so many bizarre circumstances contrived to create an unforgettable, shambolic event… The sheer bizarre nature of this true tale, the enthusiasm of the author and the throwback to a more innocent and naïve time, make it well worth a look." -- Karl Hornsey * On:YorkshireMagazine *

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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 *

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