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Death in the Ring
Most readers enjoy the author's unique approach, and on Amazon 10 of 12 reviews and ratings are 5 stars.
George Thomas Clark fuses fact and fiction to offer champions and contenders a chance to tell their own stories.
Let’s watch as the heavyweight champion of Australia, Peter Jackson, a black man, barges into John L. Sullivan’s hotel room to demand a title fight. Listen as big Jim Jeffries regales patrons about his barroom confrontation with rival Jack Johnson.
Cringe as a bar owner discusses the violent alcoholism of doomed former light heavyweight champion Battling Siki. Get ready for mayhem when a criminal and his girlfriend plan to rob legendary middleweight champ Stanley Ketchel, who is recovering from wars inside and outside the ring.
Determine who’s right when Jack Dempsey and his detractors hold forth.
Enjoy a softer Sonny Liston in three stories. Imagine who would’ve won a boxing match between Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Read who the author considers the top 13 heavyweights in history.
Behold Archie Moore, the most prolific knockout puncher on record, as he charms a young correspondent. Think about heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry as he sends his thoughts from heaven. Mourn the gifted but chronically depressed Alexis Arguello as he wins championships but loses his grip on life.
Appreciate the emotional stability, as well as the fistic skill, of massive Lennox Lewis. Be awed by the thunderous power of big George Foreman. Take note as the professor of pugilism, Emanuel Steward, reclines in a bed after a long flight and explains to three men how he has become the most celebrated boxing trainer in the world.
Say hello and farewell to Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Kick back and enjoy the triumphs and tragedies that invigorate Death in the Ring.
George Thomas Clark fuses fact and fiction to offer champions and contenders a chance to tell their own stories.
Let’s watch as the heavyweight champion of Australia, Peter Jackson, a black man, barges into John L. Sullivan’s hotel room to demand a title fight. Listen as big Jim Jeffries regales patrons about his barroom confrontation with rival Jack Johnson.
Cringe as a bar owner discusses the violent alcoholism of doomed former light heavyweight champion Battling Siki. Get ready for mayhem when a criminal and his girlfriend plan to rob legendary middleweight champ Stanley Ketchel, who is recovering from wars inside and outside the ring.
Determine who’s right when Jack Dempsey and his detractors hold forth.
Enjoy a softer Sonny Liston in three stories. Imagine who would’ve won a boxing match between Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Read who the author considers the top 13 heavyweights in history.
Behold Archie Moore, the most prolific knockout puncher on record, as he charms a young correspondent. Think about heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry as he sends his thoughts from heaven. Mourn the gifted but chronically depressed Alexis Arguello as he wins championships but loses his grip on life.
Appreciate the emotional stability, as well as the fistic skill, of massive Lennox Lewis. Be awed by the thunderous power of big George Foreman. Take note as the professor of pugilism, Emanuel Steward, reclines in a bed after a long flight and explains to three men how he has become the most celebrated boxing trainer in the world.
Say hello and farewell to Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Kick back and enjoy the triumphs and tragedies that invigorate Death in the Ring.
- GenresSports
140 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2014
4 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
George Thomas Clark
100 books31 followersGeorge Thomas Clark is the author of Hitler Here, an acclaimed biographical novel, Paint it Blue and They Make Movies, creative stories about artists and actors, Down Goes Trump, a political satire, short story collections The Bold Investor and Anne Frank on Tour and Other Stories, Basketball and Football, and other fusions of fact and fiction.
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.
Learn more on Amazon's George Thomas Clark page - https://www.amazon.com/George-Thomas-...
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.
Learn more on Amazon's George Thomas Clark page - https://www.amazon.com/George-Thomas-...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2015
Review:
This book can be considered a book on the history of boxing as there are stories about many great fighters covering all eras of the sport, from John L. Sullivan to Oscar de la Hoya. However, to call this is a history book does it a great injustice because the writing style is very unique.
Author George Clark Thomas takes the fighters he writes about and tells stories from their point of view. It may be about some of their fights, it may be about their families or it may be about life after the ring. The title may be a bit misleading, as the stories are not necessarily about “death.” The fighters don’t die in the ring but do have some reflections on their lives and it may be from the grave. For example, one story is titled “Jerry Quarry from Boxers’ Heaven” (this was my personal favorite in the book) and tells about both Jerry and Mike Quarry and their struggles in and out of the ring.
Another aspect of the book I liked is that the stories were not all boxing legends easily recognizable by all fans. Stories about Tiger Flowers, Harry Greb and Oscar Bonavena are told as well as some about Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey and Muhammad Ali. One very humorous fictional bout pits Nelson Mandela against Barack Obama that had me in stitches even at Thomas tried to put them in a serious fight.
Most fans love to compare fighters of different eras and wonder what would have happened if they could fight. Would Joe Louis vs. Joe Frazier be a good fight? Could Jack Dempsey have defeated Muhammad Ali? There are plenty of scenarios like these that play out in the fighter’s mind. Of course, whoever is telling the story will win that fight.
This was a terrific read that I enjoyed from first page to last. A very unique spin on the history of the sweet science, it is a book that I believe anyone who enjoys reading boxing books will want to add to their library.
I wish to thank Mr. Thomas for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Pace of the book:
I always believe that collections of stories or anthologies are quick reads as the reader can choose to read as many as he or she likes in one sitting and then can quickly pick it back up without losing anything in a story.
Do I recommend?
Yes – all boxing fans should enjoy this entertaining collection of stories. This is especially true for those who wonder who would win matches between great fighters in different eras.
This book can be considered a book on the history of boxing as there are stories about many great fighters covering all eras of the sport, from John L. Sullivan to Oscar de la Hoya. However, to call this is a history book does it a great injustice because the writing style is very unique.
Author George Clark Thomas takes the fighters he writes about and tells stories from their point of view. It may be about some of their fights, it may be about their families or it may be about life after the ring. The title may be a bit misleading, as the stories are not necessarily about “death.” The fighters don’t die in the ring but do have some reflections on their lives and it may be from the grave. For example, one story is titled “Jerry Quarry from Boxers’ Heaven” (this was my personal favorite in the book) and tells about both Jerry and Mike Quarry and their struggles in and out of the ring.
Another aspect of the book I liked is that the stories were not all boxing legends easily recognizable by all fans. Stories about Tiger Flowers, Harry Greb and Oscar Bonavena are told as well as some about Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey and Muhammad Ali. One very humorous fictional bout pits Nelson Mandela against Barack Obama that had me in stitches even at Thomas tried to put them in a serious fight.
Most fans love to compare fighters of different eras and wonder what would have happened if they could fight. Would Joe Louis vs. Joe Frazier be a good fight? Could Jack Dempsey have defeated Muhammad Ali? There are plenty of scenarios like these that play out in the fighter’s mind. Of course, whoever is telling the story will win that fight.
This was a terrific read that I enjoyed from first page to last. A very unique spin on the history of the sweet science, it is a book that I believe anyone who enjoys reading boxing books will want to add to their library.
I wish to thank Mr. Thomas for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Pace of the book:
I always believe that collections of stories or anthologies are quick reads as the reader can choose to read as many as he or she likes in one sitting and then can quickly pick it back up without losing anything in a story.
Do I recommend?
Yes – all boxing fans should enjoy this entertaining collection of stories. This is especially true for those who wonder who would win matches between great fighters in different eras.
May 28, 2014
George Thomas Clark has done it again. He put together a book that is hard to put down. AND it's ALL about boxing from the beginning to what it is today.
Like GTC said, "The greatest enemy of the boxer is not his opponent, but the sport itself." He brings back memories and tidbits of the boxers that once ruled the sport, from John L. Sullivan to Somkin'Joe, George Forman and yes, Cassius Clay, ahh, I mean Muhammad Ali.
GTC does his best to put you at the scene during AND after their Boxing Career. Putting together the boxer's story was masterfully done by the author and how he did it is unique.
We find out through GTC that most boxers had problems, of course, after they hung up their gloves, thus the title of the book - 'Death in the Ring.'
I'm GLAD George Thomas Clark sent me this book knowing that I probably would Enjoy reading it. AND I DID. Thanks George.
Like GTC said, "The greatest enemy of the boxer is not his opponent, but the sport itself." He brings back memories and tidbits of the boxers that once ruled the sport, from John L. Sullivan to Somkin'Joe, George Forman and yes, Cassius Clay, ahh, I mean Muhammad Ali.
GTC does his best to put you at the scene during AND after their Boxing Career. Putting together the boxer's story was masterfully done by the author and how he did it is unique.
We find out through GTC that most boxers had problems, of course, after they hung up their gloves, thus the title of the book - 'Death in the Ring.'
I'm GLAD George Thomas Clark sent me this book knowing that I probably would Enjoy reading it. AND I DID. Thanks George.
April 7, 2015
Death in the Ring is a good read for any boxing fan or someone looking for a little insight into the lives of boxers. The short stories about many of boxing fans favorites was interesting.
July 9, 2021
Horrible.
Imaginary episodes between boxers of today and yesteryear, as if each were alive today.
Not worth it. Wish I had avoided this book.
Imaginary episodes between boxers of today and yesteryear, as if each were alive today.
Not worth it. Wish I had avoided this book.
May 30, 2014
A great behind the scenes look at the world of boxing. Short stories of from many of the world famous boxers. A must read for any boxing fan.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews