Writers on Boxing

Reading List

  • #56: ‘In the Red Corner’ by John Duncan

    #56: ‘In the Red Corner’ by John Duncan

    ‘In the Red Corner – A Journey into Cuban Boxing’ is John Duncan’s account of a madcap voyage to Cuba, to lure some of their superstar amateur boxers with professional contracts. I love a good “so I just decided to book my flights and go” kind of story, and this is one of the best Read more

  • #55: ‘The Professional’ by W.C. Heinz

    #55: ‘The Professional’ by W.C. Heinz

    ‘The Professional’ is W.C. Heinz’s seminal novel, about fictional professional boxer Eddie Brown and his trainer Doc Carroll. The story follows both middleweight Brown and Carroll as they prepare, together, for Brown’s first shot at a world title. The book examines the relationship between trainer and fighter as the training camp progresses, at its centre Read more

  • #54: ‘Unlicensed’ by Jon Hotten

    #54: ‘Unlicensed’ by Jon Hotten

    ‘Unlicensed – Random Notes from Boxing’s Underbelly’ by Jon Hotten. It’s funny how your brain does or, in fact, doesn’t work, but I have next to no recollection of reading this book! Though, please don’t take that as a judgement of its quality; I often binge when I’m interested in a subject, so it’s very Read more

  • #53: ‘The Gloves’ by Robert Anasi

    #53: ‘The Gloves’ by Robert Anasi

    ‘The Gloves – A Boxing Chronicle’ by Robert Anasi is the author’s account of his own attempt to enter the New York Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament. This is a really great description of just how tough it is to enter amateur boxing at a competitive level as an adult, as Anasi was when he Read more

  • #52: ‘Rope Burns’ by F.X. Toole

    #52: ‘Rope Burns’ by F.X. Toole

    ‘Rope Burns’ is a collection of short stories by F.X. Toole who, as well as authoring this book, has had a substantial career as a trainer of, and cut man to, professional boxers. Perhaps most notably this collection contains the short story Million $$$ Baby, which was later dramatised in the film Million Dollar Baby, Read more

  • Latest eBay delivery – June

    Latest eBay delivery – June

    Looking forward to reading and blogging about these fantastic looking books form my latest eBay shopping spree. In the post were: * ‘Boxing – a Cultural History’ by Kasia Boddy* ‘Sweet Fighting Man – Volumes 1 & 2’ by Melanie Lloyd* ‘Saga of Sock’ by John V Grombach* ‘Brutal Artistry – Great Fighters and Great Read more