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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Combat sports & self-defence > Boxing
Bartley Gorman was a legend in the brutal world of illegal
prize-fighting, and this long-awaited auto-biography, with many
unique photographs, lifts the lid on a secret sub-culture.
Has everything been said about Muhammad Ali, once the most famous
man in the world? No. There is one special bout that has, over
time, been largely overlooked, where both the fight and shenanigans
surrounding it have never been fully examined. In early 1970, a
fight involving Ali was avoided by just about every city in America
- until Atlanta in Georgia decided to take a chance. They proposed
an Ali fight with 'Great White Hope' Jerry Quarry. The comparison
of Ali's comeback bout with that of 'Great White Hope' Jim Jeffries
and his return against Jack Johnson in 1910 was unavoidable.
Atlanta, once fertile soil for the racism, was inundated with
objections when a prize fight involving Ali, a black Muslim draft
evader facing a possible five-year prison sentence, was planned.
When the 'Black Mecca' of the South eventually put on the fight it
attracted not only Ali's legion of die-hard fans but also every
echelon of African American society. They came together to witness
the return of their fighting hero, but for some unlucky ringside
spectators the party spirit was soon replaced by anger, empty
pockets and rumours of deadly retribution. An after-party became
the scene of perhaps one of the biggest and most brazen armed
robberies in Atlanta's history. Ali's life would be forever linked
to the city that reintroduced him to the ring. Twenty-six years
later, the same city and same fighter would come together in one of
the most memorable moments in sporting history, when Ali lit the
Olympic flame in front of the whole world.
"Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late
brother, which tells the real Ali story." -Mike Tyson More 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 near-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, Rahaman offers
an insider's perspective on the well-known stories as well as
never-before-told tales, painting a rich and intimate 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 Muhammad Ali-that of
two brothers, almost inseparable from birth to death. It is the
final and most important perspective on an iconic figure.
The story of the relationship between the most devastating
heavyweight boxer in history and the mentor who made him. When
legendary boxing trainer Cus D'Amato saw thirteen-year-old Mike
Tyson spar in the ring, he proclaimed 'That's the heavyweight
champion of the world'. D'Amato played a huge role in Tyson's
formative years, legally adopting him at age sixteen, and shaping
him both physically and mentally after years of living in poverty.
He would train the young boxer for several years, dying just months
before Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.
In Iron Ambition, Tyson shares the life lessons that D'Amato passed
down to him and reflects on how the trainer's words of wisdom
continue to resonate with him outside the ring. The book also
chronicles Cus's courageous fight against the mobsters who
controlled boxing, revealing more than we've ever know about this
singular cultural figure.
An intimate portrait of Muhammad Ali that explores his ascent to
greatness in the prizefighting ring and his extraordinary
accomplishments as a celebrated humanitarian. Muhammad Ali is
arguably the greatest boxer of all-time. Yet, outside his
record-breaking achievements in the ring, he was admired by
millions of people worldwide for his compassionate heart and
altruistic endeavors. Throughout his life, Ali demonstrated an
unwavering commitment to advancing justice and freedom that should
never be forgotten. In Muhammad Ali: A Humanitarian Life,
Margueritte Shelton shows how the "People's Champion" transformed
his success in the boxing ring into a powerful platform to further
his fight against inequality, injustice, and oppressive politics.
Ali ascended to greatness during a violent decade of protests and
revolutionary movements, and Shelton vividly portrays the personal
journey of this bold young dreamer as he pursued athletic glory to
become a champion in the ring and a champion for human rights.
Featuring a rare collection of letters as well as exclusive
interviews, this book offers unique personal perspectives on the
man who became world-renowned as the "Greatest of All Time." With
an emphasis on Ali's humanitarian endeavors, Muhammad Ali reveals
that the champion's greatest achievement was his lifelong fight to
transform the world as a messenger of peace.
Beginning in the late 1970s, "Gentleman" Gerry Cooney's
professional boxing career was marked by exhilarating fights,
exciting wins, and a powerful left hook. In 1982, Cooney landed a
lucrative match against world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes on
one of the biggest stages in championship boxing. Yet Cooney's
bouts in the ring were nothing compared to the inner turmoil that
he dealt with and eventually overcame. Gentleman Gerry: A Contender
in the Ring, a Champion in Recovery chronicles the career of a
boxing legend, the challenges and triumphs of a trauma survivor,
and an alcoholic's journey to sustained recovery. Gerry Cooney and
John Grady provide a detailed account of how the former contender
went from an abused childhood to becoming a two-time Golden Gloves
champion. More than just a biography, this book explores the
challenges of surviving difficult moments and overcoming obstacles
such as alcohol addiction. The authors also provide historical
perspectives of the era and behind-the-scenes insight into the
world of professional boxing. Complete with photographs from
esteemed sports photographer Joe DiMaggio and stories directly from
Cooney himself, this book offers an unprecedented look into
Cooney's life and the lessons he learned. Fans of boxing, as well
as sports enthusiasts and others recovering from addiction, will
find Gentleman Gerry a must-read.
"He's the toughest street fighter alive." Freddie Foreman Picture a
man, he's tall, not excessively so, yet as wide as he is high. This
man is a spitting and growling street brawler; a tank full of ready
to blow, muscle-fuelled aggression. Imagine, if you will, the comic
book style Bulldog of Great British stamp. Well, there you have
him! The prototypical face taken from the terraces of an '80s
football fan's rolled-up newspaper cosh; a poster-boy of
malevolence left over from Thatcher's post-punk Britain. Stormin'
Norman's his name and when this storm is erupting, he's like a
force-nine gale fused with a hurricane. In his heyday, Norman saw
off a plethora of gangland minders, and with his own style of
hands-on education, taught Glasgow's prolific hitman, Billy McPhee,
the laws of the Guv'nor's land. He's the Godfather of Aylesbury,
former British Bare-Knuckle Champion, and undefeated European
Boxing Federation 'Guv'nor'. The loveable lunatic with the heart of
a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Yes, this my accidental friends, is the new
Guv'nor. He is the man who rebuked many a heathen, but was also
everyone's friend, and for all the right reasons. So, settle in
with your favourite tipple, and let us regale you with a lifetime
of fronting the doors, serving at Her Majesty's pleasure, righting
wrongs, and brutal bare-knuckle tear-ups.
This collection of quotes is accompanied by family photographs and
the stories behind the sayings by Ali's daughter and biographer,
Hana Ali. A book of inspiration, humour, and Ali's inimitable way
with words, it's a unique look at a unique and beloved person.
"In yet another skillful excavation of a dazzling Latino champion,
Christian Giudice...follows Hector 'Macho' Camacho from his
embattled childhood in Spanish Harlem, to the heights of his
electrifying yet too-brief stardom and onto his abject end by hail
of gunfire in a carful of cocaine. It is a compelling
journey."-Mark Kram Jr., author of Smokin' Joe: The Life of Joe
Frazier Raised in 1970s Spanish Harlem, Hector Camacho lived a life
as fast as his fists flew in the ring. Handsome, flamboyant, and
outspoken, Camacho electrified the boxing scene of the 1980s and,
shouting his mantra "Macho Time!", beat some of the greatest
fighters of his generation. His fast-lane life caught up with him
eventually-and tragically-when he was shot dead outside a nightclub
in Puerto Rico at the age of fifty. Macho Time is written by
Christian Giudice, author of Hands of Stone, the definitive
biography of Roberto Duran, which was made into the motion picture
of the same name starring Robert De Niro Macho Time will be the
first biography of Hector Camacho Sr., who lived a life as fast as
his fists flew in the ring. Camacho's son, Hector Camacho Jr., also
a professional boxer, has worked closely with author Christian
Giudice to give him unprecedented access and insight into this
complex man, who was tragically murdered in San Juan, Puerto Rico
in 2012 I thought I was cocky. Camacho surpasses me by three or
four levels. But when Camacho brags, he's not trying to convince
you of anything; he's just telling you what's going to
happen."-Sugar Ray Leonard, from the pages of Macho Time "He would
give me a hug and a kiss, then he would sit on the couch and make
everyone laugh so hard. He had such good energy and spirit. He
brought such joy to people whenever he entered a room. It was a
gift."-Hector Camacho Jr., from Afterword of Macho Time
Sinner 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.
Ben Calder-Smith travelled around the UK for 18 months meeting and
interviewing a broad cross-section of former fighters and boxing
personalities. He now presents the stories of huge forgotten
talents, coulda-been contenders and men who established a foothold
in British boxing history, highlighting the highs and lows of their
careers in and out of the ring. From the agonies of injury and
enforced retirement to a poignant late comeback inspired by
personal tragedy; from a British Boxing Board of Control-licensed
ringside doctor to a late-blossoming veteran of the ring, Ungloved
features unique, varied and personal accounts of the 'noble art'
from a bygone age. Memories are relayed with the same passion as
was expended in the ring, describing the good, the bad and the ugly
with brutal honesty and heart-warming humility. These moving
accounts provide living proof that, when knocked down, the human
spirit has infinite capacity to bounce back.
What 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.
Million Dollar Crolla: Good Guys Can Win tells the unique story of
the 'nicest man in boxing' and his remarkable path from prospect to
has-been, from victim to world champion. Written off by many, an
office job beckoned for Anthony Crolla before a devastating but
defining fight put him back on track. After overcoming the demons
of badly injuring a rival, Anthony's boxing dream was again
shattered after a neighbourly deed left him seriously injured.
Against all the odds, he fought back to win a world title in front
in his home fans. Covering key moments in a bumpy ride, the book
gives unique insight into the preparations for the biggest nights
of his boxing career - a rematch with the exceptional Jorge Linares
and the must-win domestic showdown with Ricky Burns. It's access
all areas with insight to family life, media commitments and his
passion for Manchester United. Crucially, the book details the
punishing training schedule, alongside his fellow champions at
Gallagher's Gym, which has helped him to the top. Includes
contributions from some of the biggest names in sport.
Rocky Marciano accomplished a feat that eluded legendary champions
like Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson: he
never lost a professional fight. When he retired in 1956, his
record was a perfect 49-0. Unbeaten is the revelatory biography of
one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Marciano rose from
abject poverty and a life of petty crime to become heavyweight
champion and one of the most famous faces of his era. He dominated
boxing in the decade following the Second World War with a
devastating punch, which he nicknamed the `Suzie Q'. But perfection
came at a price. Pulitzer Prize-winner Mike Stanton tells the story
of Marciano's pursuit of greatness through the era of guys and
dolls, hustlers and gamblers, glamorous celebrities and notorious
mobsters. But boxing had its dark side, particularly at a time when
Mafia mob bosses like Blinky Palermo and Frankie Carbo wielded
immense power behind the scenes. Marciano retired while still in
his prime, weighed down by the mob's influence in the sport he
loved. For the last decade of his life, he wandered America,
disillusioned, untrusting, hiding his money, cheating on his wife,
consorting with the mobsters he had loathed for corrupting his
sport, until his death in a plane crash in 1969, the night before
his 46th birthday. Unbeaten by Mike Stanton is the story of a
remarkable champion, a sport that was rotten to its core, and a
country that may have expected too much from its heroes.
When it comes to sports and entertainment, the glitz and the
glamour of celebrity life, most of us only aspire to gain something
small such as an autograph. Few of us ever have the chance to sit
down with stars and discuss their lives, or rub shoulders with
those closest to them. Being up close and personal with UFC, boxing
and entertainment stars is just part of journalist Fiaz Rafiq's
daily routine. He's worked closely with some of the most revered
champions and pioneers of UFC. In this gripping memoir he shares
riveting behind-the-scenes stories of the top MMA and boxing
champions and legends, their gritty beginnings and their most
triumphant moments. The result is the culmination of over two
decades of work , gaining the trust and confidence of the greatest
fighters and personalities in MMA and combat sports. To the Top is
a fascinating odyssey, a compelling tale of triumph despite
insurmountable odds. It uncovers the hidden history of the most
brutal combat sport on the planet.
Theodore 'Tiger' Flowers rose above the racist bigotry of the Deep
South to become the first African-American middleweight champion of
the world. To do it, this Christian family man beat a boxing
legend, Harry Greb, in the first of the great sporting cathedrals,
Madison Square Garden. It was a victory that stunned the sporting
world and made him a household name. Yet within a year he had lost
his championship on a decision some said was influenced by Al
Capone - and within another year was dead, following a seemingly
innocuous operation, in the clinic of a controversial surgeon, to
remove lumps and scars above his eyes. Was his death, at the age of
34, an accident, a result of negligence, or something more
sinister? And what was behind his white manager's attempt to throw
Tiger's widow into an asylum and their daughter into an orphanage?
Flowers' inspiring, harrowing story, set against an horrific
backdrop of lynchings and routine prejudice, is largely forgotten
now but he paved the way for black sporting heroes like Joe Louis,
Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson.
Successful 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.
On the night of 29 April 2017, at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua
knocked down and defeated the Ukraine's former world heavyweight
champion, Vladimir Klitschko. In doing so, he added the WBA and IBO
heavyweight titles to the IBF belt he already held. That bald
statement of fact does little justice to what proved to be one of
the finest heavyweight contests of all time, in which a brilliant
but relatively inexperienced fighter took on, and eventually
defeated, one of the finest boxers of his or any other age. It was
a twelve-round fight before a record post-War crowd, and for eleven
of those rounds it could have gone either way; indeed, in Round 6
it looked as though Joshua was finished when a massive right hand
from Klitschko sent him to the canvas.
THE STORY BEHIND THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED THE FACE OF BOXING FOREVER,
OBE NICOLA ADAMS At 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: 'One book every woman or girl should read'
Reader Review 'Fascinating to see how Nicola and her family had to
fight to get women's boxing recognised' Reader Review 'Nicola tells
this story from the heart, very honest, very open' Reader Review
'The positivity, strength, determination of Nicola is uplifting. I
really appreciated how she fought for women's rights to do boxing'
Reader Review
March 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.
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