Ask the Author: Gene Pantalone

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My grandfather ran a boxing camp in Chatham, NJ (so I was told); my mother grew up knowing Max Bahr, Freddie Welsh, Jack Dempsey, Jim Braddick. These people were all visitors to my grandparents farm then to the house in Summit when they moved there in 1929. Do you know what camp this was? Do you know anything about my grandfather, Pete Kivlen?

Gene Pantalone Susan, I have never heard of a boxing camp run by a Pete Kivlen; though I know there was a hall of fame fast pitch softball player by that name who played for Summit, NJ. There were 4 camps in Chatham Twp. that I'm aware of: Madame Bey's (later called Ehsan's), Freddie Welsh's Long Hill Health farm, Johnny Collins', and Mary Green's. I looked up your grandfather in old newspapers but could not find anything. If you have anything from your mother or grandfather, such as photos or documents, that would show the association, I would like to see it. Even if you have stories from your mother, I'd like to hear them. All the boxers you mentioned, Baer, Welsh, Dempsey, and Braddock, were in Chatham, and I have photos of them there. Maybe we can add to the already rich Chatham boxing history. Here's my email: gaphome@verizon.net.

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What books are on your summer reading list this year?

Gene Pantalone Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times
A Brief History of Time

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Gene, just wondering, who is your favourite fighter from the Golden Era and why? Thanks Iain

Gene Pantalone Hard to answer, there were so many good ones. One of the most compelling stories--the reason I wrote the book on him--was Lew Jenkins. He will never be regarded as one of the best boxers, but he may have had the hardest punch of any lightweight ever. From the poorest of upbringings in Texas, he rose to a world title, and squandered it on woman, liquor, and high-speed motorcycles. If you like stories about sports' bad boys, he outdid any of those of today. Ostracized from boxing because of his antics, he redeemed himself during WWII and the Korean War he may have been one of the bravest sports figures in military service, receiving a Silver Star in the the Korean War for holding off an entire North Korean battalion with a small squad the allowed a trapped American battalion to escape. From a pure boxing standpoint, Joe Louis had to be the best heavyweight; he so dominated. The under rated Gene Tunney at 65-1-1 was one of the most skilled boxers and really set the foundation of how people fight today. He was so smart in the ring, and his only loss to Harry Greb he avenged several times. Again, I could list so many others, but those three stand out to me.

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