
The Boxing Kings
When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring
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Narrated by:
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Alexander Cendese
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By:
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Paul Beston
About this listen
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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- Dr. Joe de Beauchamp
- 11-29-21
Kings
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.
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- veronica d
- 03-18-21
Got me in the head, then the gut
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)!
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- M
- 02-17-23
I love this book
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.
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- KDeSantis
- 01-31-19
Heavyweight Boxing History
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!!!
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- Juan Burley
- 01-29-19
Amazing collection of stories
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.
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- chris
- 01-02-23
Excellent
Remarkably well written and entertaining for any boxing fan. The sprawling history of the heavyweight world title is engaging and fascinating throughout. Highly recommended.
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- gary smart
- 08-23-19
great book covering heavyweight history
loved it great historical heavyweight history recap many insights I never knew about old time champions
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- Stedeej
- 03-15-23
Very interesting and informative
Great brief overview of the great champions. Unbiased and interesting.
I only wish it were longer, so more time could be spent on each.
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- Andrew
- 10-26-17
Enjoyable and informational
This book provides a meaningful overview of the American history and evolution of the heavyweight championship through its demise. It was enjoyable throughout.
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- Lisa R.
- 01-24-23
We need one of these for each weight class
We need one of these for each weight class. I really enjoyed this, good work.
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1 person found this helpful