One hundred of boxing's greatest -- but underrated and forgotten -- classics are relived in a vivid and highly descriptive collection. Boxing history's best brawls, shootouts, wars of attrition, sudden endings, controversies, upsets, comebacks and grudge matches are laid out over 10 chapters consisting of 10 fights each. Every match includes historical context, detailed fight action, strategic analysis, epilogues and official CompuBox punch counts, many of which will be seen for the very first time. Many of boxing's greatest champions are included yet one chapter is entirely devoted to pulsating undercard contests that rival the stars in terms of action and drama. This is a book that can be taken either in gulps or nibbles, for each fight is an entity unto itself. Whether you are a general sports fan who seeks to know more about "The Sweet Science" or a devotee of boxing history, this book by award-winning boxing writer Lee Groves is for you.

Peter Maher, a Galway born, and Dublin reared fighter, laid a strong claim on sport's greatest prize, The Heavyweight Championship of the world, in the 1890's. For over ten years he was a top contender and his popularity was such that he was arguably the most famous sportsman in America at the turn of the Twentieth century. This popularity stemmed from his prodigious punching power, good looks and affable, good-natured and easy-going manner.
He mixed with everybody from Presidents like Teddy Roosevelt and William McKinley to Wild West icons Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Judge Roy Bean and a multitude in between. Yet today he is virtually unknown except to the anoraks of the boxing world. This book attempts to address this situation. It traces his career from the amateur days in Dublin, deals with all his big fights in the United States and the famous contest for the World Title against Bob Fitzsimmons in Mexico. It charts his downward spiral until his death in 1940 in Baltimore. The book also contains a records section where the career records of some forty of his opponents are published, some for the first time and most at least revised with corrections and additions. The book also contains many photographs from the period and attempts by the use of contemporaneous newspaper reports to accurately portray the man and his times.

The Last Great Prizefight chronicles the lives of three men, Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, and Tex Rickard, as they overcome corruption, racism, and despair to produce one of the most significant and intriguing sporting events in history. When it came to this fight, America was simultaneously manic and indignant. Prizefighting was unseemly yet compelling. In a schizophrenic country, the godly part did its best to stop the fight. It nearly succeeded; it is remarkable that this match ever took place. It is also amazing that Tex Rickard became the promoter. And, ironically, if it had not been for Tex Rickard, the fight may have been canceled as no other promoter may have been able to overcome the obstacles put in place to prevent it. The details reveal much about the history of boxing. That is, the history of this fight cannot be told adequately without understanding how boxing arrived at this point. And the present state of boxing cannot be understood without knowing how it used to be. In other words, the context of the fight is as important and as interesting as the fight itself. Written by a former Nevada bookie, the Last Great Prizefight brings to life this fascinating era of American sports. It is unlike most sports books in its perspective; It does not focus narrowly on sports but takes a broader look at American sports culture, making it enjoyable to both sports and non sports fans alike.

What separates the chaos of fighting from the coherent ritual of boxing? According to author David Scott, it is a collection of aesthetic constructions, including the shape of the ring, the predictable rhythm of timed rounds, the uniformity of the boxers' glamorous attire, and the stylization of the combatants' posture and punches. In "The Art and Aesthetics of Boxing," Scott explores the ways in which these and other aesthetic elements of the sport have evolved over time. Scott comprehensively addresses the rich dialogue between boxing and the arts, suggesting that boxing not only possesses intrinsic aesthetic qualities but also has inspired painters, graphic designers, surrealist poets, and modern writers to identify, expand, and respond to the aesthetic properties of the sport. Divided into three parts, the book moves from a consideration of the evolution and intrinsic aesthetics of boxing to the responses to the sport by cubist and futurist painters and sculptors, installation artists, poster designers, photographers, and, finally, surrealist poets and modernist writers. With distinctive illustrations and photographs in nine short chapters, Scott creates a visual as well as a textual narrative that supplements and concretely demonstrates the deep, dynamic relationship between the art of boxing and the world of art and literature.

"Sugar" Ray Leonard, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, and Roberto Duran all formed the pantheon of boxing greats during the late 1970s and early 1980s--before the pay-per-view model, when prize fights were telecast on network television and still captured the nation's attention. Championship bouts during this era were replete with revenge and fury, often pitting one of these storied fighters against another. From training camps to locker rooms, veteran sports journalist George Kimball was there to cover every body shot, uppercut, and TKO. Inside stories, including recent interviews of each of the boxers, are full of drama, sacrifice, fear, and pain, resulting in a fast-paced, blow-by-blow account of four extraordinary adversaries and a remarkable boxing epoch.

It's cold outside and the perfect season to envelope your thoughts in a good boxing book. Here is a collection of captivating stories about our heroes in the squared circle. There's something here for every fight fan. From "Tough Guys Who Fight Tough Guys" to the "The Closet Classics," The author once again delivers the goods with a swift paced descriptive writing style. Fight fans from the United Kingdom will recognize many of their local heroes includingLuton scrapper Billy Schwer. Ring tested names are blended from boxing historic past together with the courageous gladiators of today. A lifelong fight fan, Sares is well qualified to convey his love of boxing and its combatants as well as a contrasted disgust for certain questionable activities within the sport. Pick up a copy today and stimulate your boxing mind and at the same time enjoy a good read.

"Boxing In The Shadows" is the story of many great Black fighters throughout the past century and puts their accomplishments within the context of the era that they fought in. This book is the seventh book that Mr. Donelson has written or co-written. Mr. Donelson has written on a variety of subjects over the past three decades and been published in newspapers and publications, Mr. Donelson is a leading observer of the boxing scene as well as a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, the leading boxing historical society.

About Mr. Donelson, Ringsports.com Rusty Rubin writes, "Tom Donelson is an outstanding scribe in describing the world of boxing. This is why I asked Mr. Donelson to co-authored our book, Billy Soose, "The Champion that Time Forgot.""

Writers have long been attracted to boxing. Hemingway, Mailer, Algren, Plimpton, Oates, and many others have stepped into the ring--at least in spirit--to give voice to an otherwise wordless sport, to celebrate that "sweet science," and to bear witness to its romance and tragedy. In this acclaimed book, hailed by Norman Mailer as an "impressive event," we are brought for the first time into the ring for a close-up look at the "manly art" through the eyes of Jose Torres, a man who was a great boxer himself. When former light-heavyweight world champion Torres traded in his gloves for a typewriter, boxing finally found its eyewitness.
In the classic "Sting Like a Bee," Torres turns his well-trained eye on one of the most celebrated and controversial athletes of all time: Muhammad Ali. In this penetrating view of Ali and the world of prizefighting, told by a true insider and "boxing's Renaissance man," Torres delivers exciting and explicit accounts of all of Ali's major fights with the cool authenticity of one who has lived it.

Boxing's biggest stars speak to head writer of Boxing Digest magazine, Richard Scurti! Who hit them the hardest? Their best knockouts? What got them started in boxing? It's all here! From Ray Leonard to Oscar De La Hoya to Sylvester Stallone! They're all here Complete! WWW.MYSPACE.COM/RICHARDSCURTI

The author of "The Text Book of Boxing" returns with a companion book on the art of Ringcraft, or boxing within the ring under the rules of the sport. Written by Great Britain's finest pugilist, "Ringcraft" is a must-have for boxing historians. Ringcraft contains over 30 photographs, detailed instructions on boxing techniques and ring-based strategy, as well as Driscoll's insights on the art of boxing. This deluxe edition contains additional material including news media reports of Driscoll's final fight.

In 1892, while training for his historic fight with Gentleman Jim Corbett, undefeated heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan wrote "Reminiscences of a 19th Century Gladiator," a summation of his extraordinary life and career. In the book, the "Boston Strong Boy" shares with the reader the story of his humble origins and the obstacles, both legal and personal, that he had to overcome to become the most famous boxer of the 19th century. This deluxe edition of the book contains additional material including never-before-included photographs, newspaper accounts, and interviews.

The author of "The Text Book of Boxing" returns with a book on one of the most neglected areas of boxing training, long-range boxing. First published in 1914 and written by England's finest fighter, "Out-Fighting or Long Range Boxing" is a must-have for boxing historians. The boxing manual contains over 40 photographs, detailed instructions on boxing techniques, as well as Driscoll's thoughts on the state of boxing. This deluxe edition contains additional material including newspaper reports of Driscoll fights.

In 1888, William Edwards wrote "The Art of Boxing and Manual of Training" with the help of his friend and former ring opponent, Arthur Chambers. One of the earliest American books on the subject, "The Art of Boxing and Manual of Training" features detailed boxing techniques as well as tips on diet and exercise. The book also includes the various rules governing ringcraft, most notably the American Fair-Play Rules. The inclusion of these rules resulted in the book's inclusion in a landmark 1895 Supreme Court case pitting the state of Louisiana against boxing in New Orleans. This deluxe edition contains additional material including William Edwards' obituary and newspaper reports of the Louisiana court case.

A sought-after classic in the field of boxing that has inspired and influenced countless champions, "The Straight Left and How to Cultivate It" is now available for a new generation. In this book Jim Driscoll describes the simple straight left punch as a formidable and versatile weapon that can be used for a direct attack, as a defense, and as a counterattack. This deluxe edition contains additional photographs and illustrations not seen in any previous edition.

"The Text Book of Boxing" is one of the most important boxing books of all time. First published in 1914 and written by England's finest fighter, "The Text Book of Boxing" is a master class in the manly art of pugilism. This boxing manual contains over 40 photographs and detailed instructions on the proper execution of boxing techniques for both offense and defense. ***** This deluxe edition contains a newspaper report of the 1909 fight between Jim Driscoll and Abe Attell. ***** "Peerless" Jim Driscoll was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1881 and began his boxing career in 1901. He is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time. During his illustrious boxing career, he earned the title of featherweight champion of the world and won the coveted Lonsdale Belt. ***** "Driscoll was the king of all boxers. From Driscoll, by a close study of his ways, I learned the wisdom of always leading with the left hand; he taught me much about stance, and how to time my blows so that they would have all the weight of my body behind them." Georges Carpentier

No sport offers more allure and repulsion than the inviting and abrasive world of boxing. Starting on the mean streets of 1950s Chicago, this collection of essays moves into a close reflection of the boxing world up through the glitz of today's boxing circuit.

For Ted Sares, boxing is more than a sparring match between two combatants violently punching each another. It is a visceral experience that reaches in all directions, from his childhood memories of visiting the Chicago rings with his father to today's all-out-fight demeanor of Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. At the same time tender and brutal, triumphant and tragic, in the end these pieces are about the last man standing and the hope for fair judgment between the victor and the defeated.

"Boxing Is My Sanctuary" is a collection of essays that explores both sides of a sport that is colored with paradox. Between the violent and affectionate, the barbaric and the civilized, Sares finds a ringside refuge in the midst of the sights, sounds, and smells that define boxing.

In 1892, "Gentleman" James J. Corbett defeated John L. Sullivan to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Using his own "scientific boxing" techniques, Corbett delivered a blistering lesson to the previously unbeatable Sullivan, ending the fight with a knockout in the 21st round. With Corbett's win, a new era in boxing began. ***** Corbett is considered by many to be the "father of modern boxing" for being the first person to apply scientific principles to the art of pugilism. In "Scientific Boxing," the creator of such boxing innovations as the "left hook" distills his scientific methodology into an accessible manual of boxing techniques. This classic book contains sections on fundamental boxing techniques, fouling techniques, and the various boxing rules of his time. ***** This deluxe edition of "Scientific Boxing" contains additional photos and an added account of the fight between Corbett and Sullivan. ***** James J. Corbett (1866-1933) held the title of heavyweight champion from 1892 to 1897. He was the first to win the title under the Marquis of Queensberry rules. College educated, Corbett was also an actor, writer, and boxing coach. ***** "Corbett marked the turning point in ring history, replacing mauling sluggers with the new school of faster, scientific boxers." Bob Burrill, "Who's Who in Boxing"

Boxing grew to be one of the most popular sports in America in the early 1950s. Thanks to television, fans tuned in each week, rooting for their favorites, watching the best fighters in the world battle on Gillette's Friday Night Fights. These were the "Golden Years" of boxing - the ring echoed with the names of all-time legendary champions: Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Kid Galivan, Jake LaMotta, Gene Fullmer, and a tough guy from Canastota, New York, Carmen Basilio. On September 23, 1957, Carmen Basilio defeated Sugar Ray Robinson to win the middleweight championship of the world. His remarkable career is a story of survival and perseverance during a fascinating time in boxing history. Basilio's story celebrates the power of the human spirit to triumph over pain and self-doubt. A man of great integrity and drive, Carmen Basilio deliberately moved up in weight class for the opportunity to challenge the great Ray Robinson for his title. His belief in himself and his insistence on being treated fairly is a testament to his core value of living an honorable life, one in which he refused to compromise his principles. His story is a compelling look back at one of the most magical periods in sports history.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This yearbook, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at professional boxing, is intended to encourage young people to set high goals in life and, more importantly, to conquer those goals - no matter which sport or profession you choose in life. The photographs and interviews inside were compiled between April 2003 and April 2004, during a significant period in modern boxing: Rising trainer James "Buddy" McGirt led Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver to a stunning knockout of Roy Jones Jr., marking the end of an era for a pound - for - pound king. Buddy continues to train Antonio - the light heavyweight champion - in Vero Beach, Florida, the scene of this book. Inside you will find helpful advice from champions and witness the preparation that goes into a championship prizefight!