The title Death in the Ring should not be taken literally. Most boxers don’t die during fights. They survive their careers of violence but are too often left brain damaged and vulnerable to many other maladies, medical and psychological.
Death in the Ring by George Thomas Clark
Let’s invite many of the greatest boxers, and their contemporaries, to tell their own stories, some true, others tales based on history. Peter Jackson barges into John L. Sullivan’s hotel room to demand a fight. Jim Jeffries regales listeners about his barroom confrontation with Jack Johnson. A bar owner discusses the violent alcoholism of Battling Siki. Jack Dempsey and his detractors hold forth. Sonny Liston stars in three stories. Nelson Mandela boxes Barack Obama.
The top 13 heavyweights are identified. Muhammad Ali, Jerry Quarry, Emanuel Steward, Alexis Arguello, Lennox Lewis, and Archie Moore and others also share experiences. They’re frank about their serious business. They know there can always be Death in the Ring.
About the author of Death in the Ring, boxers telling their own story, George Thomas Clark:
George Thomas Clark is the author of King Donald, In Other Hands, Paint it Blue, Death in the Ring, The Bold Investor, Hitler Here, an internationally-acclaimed biographical novel, Obama on Edge, and Echoes from Saddam Hussein.
In addition to writing, Clark follows the news and sports, exercises daily (albeit delicately), collects contemporary art, enjoys independent movies, and travels to places (most recently Madrid, Mexico City, Quito, Guanajuato, and Aguascalientes) where he can socialize in Spanish.
The title Death in the Ring should not be taken literally. Most boxers don’t die during fights. They survive their careers of violence but are too often left brain damaged and vulnerable to many other maladies, medical and psychological. Nevertheless, I haven’t written an indictment of boxing. It is, rather, a celebration of the brave and talented men who in epic confrontations stir the souls of millions and thus persuade them to ignore the tragedies and premature deaths that await those who fight in the ring.
The author’s website is GeorgeThomasClark.com