The Boxing Bookshelf

"The Boxing Record Book": Published by Fight Fax Inc., these volumes picked up where The Ring Record Book left off. Phil Marder and his staff compile ring results from all over the world. Known as Ralph Citro's Computer Boxing Update from 1984 to 1993.

"When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport": by Allen Bodner, publication date, September 30, 1997, by Praeger Trade. A splendid oral history of a time in the 1920s and 1930s when Jewish athletes were the dominant ethnic group in professional boxing in the United States.

"Raging Bull": By Joseph Carter and Peter Savage, published in 1970 by Prentice-Hall, re-published in 1997 by Da Capo Press with a new introduction by Nick Tosches. The life story of middleweight champion Jake LaMotta -- one man's look back at street thugs, prisons, the Mob and the crooked, savage, world of the ropes and the ring. It was later made into the Academy Award-winning movie of the same name.

"In the Ring: A Treasury of Boxing Stories" Edited by Martin H. Greenberg, published in 1987 by Bonanza. Boxing fiction at its best. Short stories by Ernest Hemingway, Jack London and the complete novel "The Harder They Fall," by Budd Schulberg.

"Only In America: The Life and Crimes of Don King": By Jack Newfield, published in 1995 by Morrow. An examination of the life and career of Don King.

"John L. Sullivan and His America": By Michael T. Isenberg, published in 1994 by University of Illinois Press. A comprehensive look at Sullivan, America, bareknuckle boxing and its culture during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

"The Manly Art: Bare-Knuckle Prize Fighting in America": By Elliot J. Gorn, published in 1986 by Cornell University Press. The history of bare-knuckle boxing, from its origins in England right up until the gloved era began.

"Corner Men: Great Boxing Trainers": By Ronald K. Fried, published in 1991 by Four Walls Eight Windows. The story of the great boxing trainers of the Golden Age. Subjects include Ray Arcel, Jackie Blackburn, Charley Goldman, Whitey Bimstein, Mannie Seamon, Freddie Brown, Al Silvani and Eddie Futch. Plus their impact on Angelo Dundee and special chapter on Stillman's Gym.

"The Boxing Register: The Official Record Book of the International Boxing Hall of Fame - 3rd Edition": By James B. Robert and Alexander G. Skutt, published in 2002 by McBooks Press. Updated and revised throughout, The Boxing Register, Third Edition includes profiles of every inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame through 2002—more than 60 new entries. With a wealth of new photos, a brand-new section detailing the depiction of boxing in the movies, and the assurance of having all its records vetted by a panel of boxing's greatest experts, this hefty 656-page volume belongs on every fan's bookshelf. The Boxing Register is the best compilation of boxing facts anywhere. It's the reference book fans turn to again and again.

"Boxing: the 20th Century": By Steve Farhood, published in 1993 by BDD Illustrated Books. A meticulously researched book that analyzes each decade of the 20th Century by the editor-in-chief of The Ring. Lists many of the title fights no longer readily available since the demise of The Ring Record Book. Illustrated with hundreds of photos. Includes features on the game's biggest stars as well as a compendium of boxing facts.

"Boxing Babylon: Behind the Shadowy World of the Prize Ring": By Nigel Collins, published in 1990 by Citadel Press. A look at boxing's controversal and tragic figures by Collins, one of this generations foremost boxing journalists. Subjects include Stanley Ketchel, Sonny Liston, Kid McCoy, Bummy Davis, Tony Ayala and many more.

"Blood Season: Tyson and the World of Boxing": By Phil Berger, published in 1989 by Morrow. A look at Tyson, the heavyweight division and the tumultuous world of boxing.

"Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times": By Thomas Hauser, published in 1991 by Simon and Schuster. An oral biography. The definitive work on Muhammad Ali.

"Jack London: Stories of Boxing": Edited by James Bankes, published in 1992 by William C. Brown. A compilation of London's writing on boxing.

"A Neutral Corner": Edited by Fred Warner and James Barbour, published in 1990 by North Point Press. A compilation of boxing essays by A.J. Leibling.

"In the Corner": By Dave Anderson, published in 1991 by Morrow. Great trainers talk about their art. The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist from the New York Times interviews Kevin Rooney, Goody Petronelli, Angelo Dundee, George Benton, Jackie McCoy, Ray Arcel, Bill Slayton, Lou Duva, Emanuel Steward, Gil Clancy, Eddie Futch and Riche Giachetti.

"Muhammad Ali Greatest of All Time": By Robert Cassidy, published in 1999 by Publications International. Paperback biography of Ali. Includes itemized ring record. Research and factchecking by Ed Maloney.

"The Prizefighters": By Arlene Schulman, published in 1994 by Lyons and Burford. An imtimate look at champions and contenders. Text and photos by Schulman.

"The Fireside Book of Boxing" Edited by W.C. Heinz, published many times by Simon and Schuster. Currently out of print. The cover reads: A collection of pugilism's great literature and art. It is indeed that.

"The Great Book of Boxing": By Harry Mullan, published in 1990 (several volumes exist) by Crescent. The illustrated history of boxing from the 1890s to the present.

"Legendary Boxers of the Golden Age: By Billy Edwards, reprinted 1990 by Anness Law Limited, London. Potraits and profiles of bare-knuckle greats. Subjects include James. J. Corbett, John L. Sullivan, Peter Jackson, Paddy Ryan and more.

"Beyond the Ring": By Jeffrey T. Sammons, published in 1990 by University of Illinois Press. The role of boxing in American society. Includes organized crime in boxing and the rise and fall of Muhammad Ali.

"In This Corner ...": By Peter Heller, published by in 1973 and again in 1994 by Da Capo Press. 42 world champions tell their stories. Subjects include Jack Dempsey, Mickey Walker, Joe Louis, Jake LaMotta, Emile Griffith and many others. The second work includes chapters on Roberto Duran and Alexis Arguello.

"The Black Lights": By Thomas Hauser, published in 1986 by McGraw-Hill. Inside the world of professional boxing. An excellent look behind the scenes. The business of boxing and the sport's nuances are exposed.

"Bad Intentions": By Peter Heller, published in 1989 by New American Library. Reprinted, with updates, in 1995 by Da Capo Press. Another volume on Mike Tyson.

"On Boxing": By Joyce Carol Oates, published in 1987 by Doubleday. An essay on the sport of boxing.

"Punch Lines: Berger on Boxing" By Phil Berger, published in 1993 by Four Walls Eight Windows. Boxing stories from Berger's days as the New York Times beat writer. Subjects include Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, Ray Leonard, George Foreman and others.

"Jeff Fenech: I love youse all": By Terry Smith, published in 1993 by Modern Publishing Group, Australia. A biography of Jeff Fenech.

"The Boxing Almanac and Book of Facts": Published by The Ring annually, beginning in 1996. Includes ring records of current world champions, feature articles, boxing records and a listing of annual awards given out by The Ring and KO magazines.

"The Fights": Photographs by Charles Hoff, published in 1996 by Chronicle Books. A collection of excellent black-and-white photos by Hoff, a photographer for the New York Daily News from the 1930s to the 1960s. It also includes essays by A.J. Leibling, Jimmy Cannon, William Nack, James Baldwin and Mark Kram.

"Muhammad Ali: A View From the Corner: By Ferdie Pacheco, published in 1992 by Birch Lane Press. An intimate look at Ali's career by Pacheco, his personal physician and cutman.