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Title: Facing Ali: 15 Fighters / 15 Stories by Stephen Brunt ISBN: 1-58574-829-3 Publisher: The Lyons Press Pub. Date: March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Facing Ali
Comment: Have you ever wondered what happened to the many boxing opponents of Mohamed Ali?
Perhaps you would like to know the other side of the story, what did they think about their matches with Ali or what did they think about one of the greatest boxers of all time?
Whatever happened to George Chuvalo, Henry Cooper, Brian London, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes and many more who had the opportunity to demonstrate their pugilistic skills before millions of spectators?
As Stephen Brunt, author of Facing Ali, states in the opening remarks of his book, Facing Ali, "in boxing, in everything else, only one side of the story tends to be told."
Brunt writes a meaty book recounting his interviews with 15 boxers who had the good or bad luck, depending on how you would view it, in meeting up with Ali in the ring.
Other authors may have cluttered these interviews with the relentless analysis of their bouts; however, Brunt avoids falling into this trap and concentrates on exposing the human side of these pugilists.
The revelations are resonating even to the extent that when we put away the book they still linger on in our memories.
How can you not sympathize with Joe Frazier who fought 47 rounds with Ali? After all, he was constantly been used as a verbal punching bag for Ali, subjected to insults and taunts, such as being called stupid, ignorant, and the worst insult of all, gorilla.
As the book mentions, "with Frazier, it was different-different because Ali, no doubt sensing vulnerability, went straight for the heart, different because Frazier was unequipped to fight back, at least outside the ring."
Today Frazier's bitterness is evident when asked whether he knew where Ali was, whether he knows how he was, he replies, "I don't think nothin' about him, I know one thing. He thinks about me. He thinks about me everyday when he gets out of bed."
This latter comment, as Brunt points, out is in reference to Ali's infirmity, to his Parkinson's syndrome, and the part Frazier's left hook might have played in causing it.
One of the reoccurring themes that keeps on popping up throughout the reading of the book is that no matter what accomplishments many of these boxers achieved throughout their career, we only seem to remember their Ali encounters. Such is the example of Jurgen Blin, who won the European boxing title, however was badly defeated by Ali.
No doubt, Ali's insatiable fans will be snapping up Facing Ali, however, they may come away with a different picture of their hero.
This review first appeared in the reviewer's own site
www.bookreviews.com
Rating: 5
Summary: The stories are very immersive
Comment: The book includes fifteen stories of boxers who fought Ali. The stories focus, as much, on the biographies of the challenger, as the effect Ali had on them. Ali wanted the fans to hate him, it increase crowd size, it was business because fans hoped the challenging prize figher would knock out Ali. Ali was a Olympian. Ali was a Muslim. Ali was a business man. Ali was an American.
In some cases the boxers experienced instanteous fame and money by fight Ali. They spent their money like there was no tommorow and when the money ran out, reality hit home. Fame, fortune, and glamour combined with prestige were the illustions of power surround this type of business. Ali's footwork, hand speed, grace and power cutup and demolished many fighters. Boxers never saw a big man move like Ali. He defensively dared them to strike him as he press against the ropes and dodge their deadly blows. Not one fighter would say they gain nothing from fighting Ali. He raised the standard of fighting and established an icon in the business. My favorite fight was the Ali - Frazier fight. Frazier was a bulldog with a mean left hook. Frazier press forward the whole fight taking incredible punishment. Ali was the sliding and gliding with the rapid fire jab. Occassionally, I'd watch that fight and think the fans definitely got their moneys worth with that fight.
Rating: 4
Summary: Facing Ali - Very Good, but just shy of Great
Comment: Facing Ali - I can't think of a more exciting, fearful, awe inspiring and incredible position to be in - Facing Muhammad Ali - The other fighter in the ring - usually the first one introduced with "...in this corner..."
I love the idea of this book - the concept of understanding Ali or what it must have been like to face him in the ring. This part of the concept fell a tad short - not exactly what I wanted or expected.
I loved the way the chapters are divided and selected - you get to hear the story of 15 fighters that got to square off in the ring with Muhammad Ali.
As a Muhammad Ali fan and after reading so many books about him, I missed him - I missed Ali - He's in the book, but through the eyes of his opponents - these are their stories about their lives, careers (both before and after Ali) and of course their experience with the Great One and how he affected their lives.
It's a great look and unique perspective at what and who was in the other corner - 15 stories from 15 fighters
I was especially interested in Joe Fraziers comments - I understand why he hates Ali, but it just makes you sad to read it in print. I also really enjoyed the chapters of George Forman and Ken Norton, and - actually I really enjoyed the others too.
Simply put - it really is a cool book about some very interesting fighters and their moment(s) with Muhammad Ali - and after
A MUST have for Ali fans.
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Title: Muhammad Ali : The Glory Years by Don Atyeo, Felix Dennis ISBN: 140135193X Publisher: Miramax Pub. Date: 22 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $45.00 |
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Title: The Devil and Sonny Liston by Nick Tosches ISBN: 0316897469 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 06 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Fight by Norman Mailer ISBN: 0375700382 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 30 September, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Ghosts of Manila: The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier by Mark Kram ISBN: 0060954809 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 19 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: MUHAMMAD ALI: HIS LIFE AND TIMES by Thomas Hauser ISBN: 0671779710 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 15 June, 1992 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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