The Boxing Kings Audiobook By Paul Beston cover art

The Boxing Kings

When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring

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The Boxing Kings

By: Paul Beston
Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
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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.

©2017 Paul Beston (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books Combat Sports & Self-Defense Sports Sports History Boxing Funny Combat Sports
Comprehensive History • Engaging Storytelling • Masterful Narration • Sociological Approach • Fascinating Biographies
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I found this book to be a particularly very comprehensive. I truly enjoyed all the boxing Kings from the beginning of John l Sullivan. The book led up to Mike Tyson, and a very good book to the Sweet science.

Kings

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A fantastic trip through the lineage of heavyweight champs, from Sullivan to Tyson. And while the greatest fights are told, there is also a lot about the personalities and history of each champ, and how they related to, or fought against, the times they lived in.

The narrator is perfect. I wish he narrated more books as well-written as this one. His talent is wasted on all those romance books (hard abs and fainting maidens on the cover)!

Got me in the head, then the gut

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I love this book. Reading it was so inspiring and got me through a hard time and re-ignited my love for boxing. It reads more like a novel than a biography. It’s captivating and I finished it in a week.

I love this book

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Absolutely loved this heavyweight boxing book!
If you're a wanna be boxing Heavyweight historian this book is perfect. Book gives one a big bang for the buck giving so many bios of champions in one book. Personally I purchased the Audible version. Narrator was excellent. Bio on each fighter was in-depth and at the same time moved along quickly. This book was so great I emailed the author and asked him if he would consider doing a middleweights boxing champions book also. The author was very polite and said he would consider it. I hope so!!!

Heavyweight Boxing History

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This helped rekindle my love of Boxing, and especially the heavy weight title. It demonstrated how the sport mirrored and influenced American society. i loved all the stories about the Champions who's names we've heard.

Amazing collection of stories

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Remarkably well written and entertaining for any boxing fan. The sprawling history of the heavyweight world title is engaging and fascinating throughout. Highly recommended.

Excellent

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loved it great historical heavyweight history recap many insights I never knew about old time champions

great book covering heavyweight history

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Great brief overview of the great champions. Unbiased and interesting.
I only wish it were longer, so more time could be spent on each.

Very interesting and informative

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This book provides a meaningful overview of the American history and evolution of the heavyweight championship through its demise. It was enjoyable throughout.

Enjoyable and informational

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We need one of these for each weight class. I really enjoyed this, good work.

We need one of these for each weight class

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