Sporting Blood: Tales from the Dark Side of Boxing: Tales from the Dark Side of Boxing

Boxing has one of the richest literary traditions in sports. From A. J. Liebling to Donald McRae, the sweet science has consistently inspired great writing. The work of Carlos Acevedo stands firmly in that distinguished tradition.

In this expanded edition of Sporting Blood, Acevedo adds two new masterful essays—one about the murder of Stanley Ketchel, the other about the gangland slaying of Battling Siki—to those that made his debut collection an instant classic. Other highlights include a moving meditation on Muhammad Ali; a penetrating look at the enigmatic Charles “Sonny” Liston; and a vivid profile of Mike Tyson, which brilliantly conjures the Boy King’s late 1980s reign of terror. Acevedo also offers many other unforgettable tales from boxing’s dark side, featuring Jack Johnson, Joe Frazier, Roberto Duran, Aaron Pryor, Jake LaMotta, and more.

Sporting Blood is a poetic throwback, a singular book that evokes journalism’s golden age and places Acevedo among the best sportswriters of his generation.

May be purchased here.

Metro Detroit Boxing

Boxing seemed to spring up in Detroit as early as 1900: heavyweight champ Jim Jeffries and future heavyweight champ Tommy Burns fought that year. With the emergence of Joe Louis in the 1930s and Thomas Mearns in the late 1970s, Motown enjoyed surges of interest in the sport. At the dawn of a new millenium, the presence of three casinos has given the sport another revival of interest in the city.

Metro Detroit Boxing showcases over 180 photographs that reveal not only the personalities who have enlivened the sport in the Detroit area, but also the places in which boxers, trainers, managers, and promoters fought, trained, lived, worked, and recreated. Photographs include where Joe Louis went to school, trained, and fought. Various boxing celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, are caught for the camera, socializing with eminent politicians and other figures of the day.

May be purchased here.

 

 

My Brother the Boxer: The Terry Daniels Story

Not all professional athletes enjoy their day in the sun with milestone accomplishments and record-breaking accolades, but in 1972, when Terry Daniels got into the ring with Joe Frazier - the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, 10 months after Frazier won the "Fight of the Century" against Muhammad Ali - he had over 70 million people witnessing the fight on national TV. Jeff Daniels takes the reader on a journey of love, determination, perseverance and hope. He recounts his big brother's coming-of-age story and his landmark decision - as a senior in college - to compete for the most feared and respected title in professional sports.

May be purchased here

Steve Canton's Tributes, Memories & Observations of the Sweet Science

Steve Canton's Tributes, Memories & Observations of the Sweet Science is a collection of wonderful articles intricately woven remembering and detailing many of the long forgotten gladiators of the ring and how their lives and careers have impacted so many people in and out of the sport. Several heroic stories are eloquently brought to life as they are paid tribute for their contributions to society. There are also stories which have been embedded in the author's memory and shared here with you. So sit back, relax and enjoy.

May be purchased here.

 

GLOVES GONE BY: Heavyweight Boxers from the Glorious Era 1960 to 1980

The heavyweight boxing scene may have enjoyed its most competitive time period in the decades 1960 to 1980. Champions like Patterson, Liston, Ali, Frazier, Foreman and Holmes roamed the landscape. There were also many legitimate contenders who were more than willing to meet each other to earn a title shot. This led to many entertaining and unforgettable wars that shaped the division.

The book “Gloves Gone By” has focused on the boxers of this era and why they were so much a part of its memorable success.

May be purchased here.