Battling Boxing Stories

BATTLING BOXING STORIES presents 15 of the most intense and hard-hitting stories about the puglisitic arts collected in one place and written by some of the best of today's new crop of exciting writers. The stories in this book highlight all types of boxers and all aspects of the sport, from amateur bouts and illegal street fights, to heavyweight championship events. These are wonderful stories with unforgettable characters who are full of passion and emotion, action and rage--heartfelt tales about real people fighting for their lives, their honor, and sometimes their very souls. Each story captures that rare magic--the combination of violence and magesty that takes place in the boxing ring. Your ears will still be ringing with the sting of these battles long after you finish this book! The authors featured include: Wayne D. Dundee, Stan Trybulski, Ron Fortier, Robert S. P. Lee, G. D. McFetridge, Arlette Lees, Terence Butler, Marc Spitzer, C. J. Henderson, Gary Lovisi, Garnett Elliott, Penelope Stanhope, Michael A. Black, Lonni Lees, and William Boyle.

It's no wonder that photographer Howard Schatz, trained as an ophthalmologist, has an unwavering eye for the human form. Well known for his series of improvisional portraits of actors for Vanity Fair, the acclaimed photographer now takes on the ultimate theatre of sport and physique in At the Fights. Over the last six years Schatz has entrenched himself in the world of boxing, photographing and interviewing the game's biggest stars and newest players as well as managers, trainers, promoters, club fighters and many others. In 256 oversized pages, Schatz's remarkably powerful images are paired with insightful commentary to provide a truly unique look into the sport. As promoter Lou DiBella tells Schatz, "Boxing is a sport in its purest, most basic form. No sport is more theatrical, dramatic or real." At the Fights beautifully captures all of those aspects in a striking, deluxe package that includes introductory comments by HBO commentator Jim Lampley. Howard Schatz's award-winning photography has been featured in Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, The Ring magazine, The New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair. He is a well-known and regular ringside presence. At the Fights will be his 19th book.

"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 "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 about the triumph of a heroic champion, a tragic death in the ring, the shady tactics of fight promoters, or victories against seemingly impossible odds, each story in this varied collection connects powerfully with the reader. THE GREATEST BOXING STORIES EVER TOLD is the perfect gift for fight fans and non-fight fans alike, and with its allstar lineup of "contenders" throwing "haymakers" and "uppercuts" in every round, it stands as the definitive volume of short stories on this enduring pugilistic pastime.

Battling Siki (1887–1925) was once one of the four or five most recognizable black men in the world and was written about by a host of great writers, including George Bernard Shaw, Ring Lardner, Damon Runyon, Janet Flanner, and Ernest Hemingway. Peter Benson’s lively biography of the first African to win a world championship in boxing delves into the complex world of sports, race, colonialism, and the cult of personality in the early twentieth century.

Boxing has been a part of our history going back centuries. Whether it’s bare knuckle or the pay-per-view fights we see today, it has been a staple in our lives. In Classic Boxing Stories, Paul D. Staudohar has collected work from dozens of writers, telling stories about the sport that has been so important to them. With tales going back 100 years, you will be enthralled in the storytelling and moved by the characters who never quit. Included in this collection are stories from such famous writers as: O. Henry H. C. Winter Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Ring Lardner Jack London P. G. Wodehouse Octavus Roy Cohen And many more! Classic Boxing Stories shows the true grit of this tough and brutal sport. From knockouts to comebacks, these stories will show you why you fell in love with boxing and how this sport has lasted for so long. So tighten your gloves, put in your mouthpiece, and get ready to take on this # 1 contender!

Oscar “Battling” Nelson (1882–1954) was perhaps the toughest professional boxer ever to enter the ring. Although a Hall of Fame inductee, Nelson remains a lesser known great of boxing lore. From the beginning of his career at 14, the Danish immigrant presented himself as a man of integrity who never smoked, drank or took a dive. In the ring and in public, Battling Nelson crafted a Renaissance man image as a lightweight champion, reporter, entertainer, real estate mogul, entrepreneur and ladies’ man. The first ever champion in his weight class to mount a comeback, he strove to break new ground (even if he wasn’t always successful). This book tells the story of a ring legend whose endurance was second to none and whose trilogy with Joe Gans is one of the great rivalries in sports history.

"Other stories are more dramatic and somber, including "Iron Men," which Howard called "the best fight story I ever wrote - in many ways the best story of any kind I ever wrote." Severely edited and truncated for its original publication in 1930 in Fight Stories magazine, the tale has never been published in its original form - until now. It appears here, completely restored from Howard's original typescript, in an authoritative version that Howard fans everywhere will appreciate."--BOOK JACKET.

"Anyone who loves boxing--even the sport's most die-hard supporters--must take a longer and more serious look at the issues that Tris Dixon writes about with such nuance and humanity in Damage...there's no better argument for more studies, discussion, and awareness than this book, a volume equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring with respect to the need for change."--Greg Bishop, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated The secret history brain damage in boxing has never been fully told―until now. From the story behind Muhammad Ali's deterioration, to first-hand accounts from the fighters themselves, including the beloved Micky Ward. In Damage, author Tris Dixon delivers a gripping history of "boxing's darkest secret"--CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), which was known previously as "Dementia Pugilistica" and "Punch Drunk Syndrome." This highly-anticipated book has already generated intense discussion on social media about the inner-conflict that comes with being a fan of the "sweet science, " and the difficulty involved in witnessing the devastating brain trauma suffered by the warriors who fight for the entertainment of millions. Unfortunately, the promoters, managers, and other non-participants who profit from the violence have long looked the other way. Will this book finally drive them to address the issue and help fighters get the help they deserve?

In 1897 a filmed prize-fight became one of cinema's first major attractions, and such films continued to enjoy great popularity for many years to come. This work chronicles the story of how legitimate bouts, fake fights, comic sparring matches, and other forms of boxing came to dominate the screens of the silent-era.