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The Boxing Kings
- When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
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The Boxing Kings
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Summary
The Boxing Kings tells the story of the heavyweight title in the days when it was a defining institution in the United States. Author Paul Beston places special emphasis on those champions who held a central place in American culture beyond just in the boxing ring, including John L. Sullivan, who made the title a commercial property; Jack Johnson, who in 1908 became the first black man to claim the title; Joe Louis, whose contributions to racial tolerance and social progress transcended even his greatness in the ring; Rocky Marciano, who became an embodiment of the American dream; Muhammad Ali, who took on the US government and revolutionized professional sports with his showmanship; and Mike Tyson, a hard-punching student of boxing history who exemplified the modern celebrity.
The gallery of champions also includes comics, dandies, bookworms, divas, ex-cons, workingmen, and a tough guy turned preacher. The Boxing Kings treats these and other champions as three-dimensional human beings, flawed but sympathetic men placed on great public stages. As the title shifts from one claimant to another, their stories also open a window into the larger history of the United States.
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What listeners say about The Boxing Kings
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 04-01-21
Absolutely brilliant
If you think you're even slightly interested just do it. Absolute perfect time line full of all the great boxers and fights. With parts about their lives outside of the ring also
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- Anonymous User
- 07-09-20
In depth look in heavyweight history
Great book if you're into the history of boxing. Very in depth with each of the heavyweight champions throughout the last 130 years & very well linked up as the title & the times changed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- jako
- 18-02-22
a great look back at the heavyweight kings
to keep it short l, this is a brilliant listen for anybody interested in the heavyweight lineage. there is also a fantastic documentary on you tube (search king of the rings (a rare documentary) ) This has excellent footage of alot of what is discussed in the book. Not much of this information came new to me, but it is also an engaging listen if you are well up on the subject.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- ML
- 09-05-20
A Fantastic Read - a must-buy
I bought this after reading the reviews and was not disappointed. An absolutely enthralling read. It traces the Heavyweights in chronologically order since the start. Not only does it provide fascinating accounts of the seminal moments in boxing history, but you also learn so much about the personalities and the world at the time they fought. Superbly narrated and highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jim Mooney
- 22-02-22
The Great concerning the Greats
Superb.
the narration was tip top.
a very well written book.
well played, excellent
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- MMM
- 19-12-21
Spectacular Narrative of Heavyweight History
In just a few days I ploughed through it all (speed x1.40). I couldn't put it down, even at 3 in the morning, it's that good. All the back stories of the fighters, all the blow by blow accounts. It's the perfect book. I watch the key fights on YouTube. I've rarely enjoyed a book so much or been so immersed.
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1 person found this helpful
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- p
- 02-12-19
Great
Great book the narration was grease the voice really works for the book and it’s good if you want to learn about heavyweights
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Barry W.
- 06-02-23
great in depth road down memory lane
great book on American boxing history. defo worth purchasing and investing the time in it.
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- Adam williams
- 24-10-17
Stunning
Honestly one of the best books about boxing I've read in a very long time. Interesting, thought provoking, sometimes humorous, at the end, poignant. The narration was truly top notch as well, especially when he quotes the fighters/trainers etc. The Mike Tyson chapters are enough to make you cry, so much talent gone to waste due to hangers on and a corrupt promoter. I would recommend this book to any fans of pugilism or sports in general, as well as history.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Jones
- 13-06-21
Fascinating, accurate, engrossing.
This put me in mind of one of my favourite books in boxing, or indeed any subject, Boxing's Greatest Prize by Peter Wilson and that is compliment indees.. A terrific, well told, unsentimental story of the heavyweight championship in the 20th Century.
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1 person found this helpful