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I recently read the new book, HOOKING OFF THE JAB by boxing Hall of Famer Nigel Collins, and recommend it highly to any boxing fan. The 323-page anthology of previously published stories is an easy read with a range of subjects that include the biggest names and events of the sport as well as inside accounts of the Philly boxing scene. The variety of boxing tales presented covers all the bases, but it is Collins’ writing that distinguishes it most. Collins is a terrific, descriptive writer who does not just focus on the rights and lefts thrown in the ring. His accounts are more about the characters involved and the context in which their stories play out. Unlike many boxing books out there, this one is extremely compelling and offers a perspective that only a well-placed, fifty-plus-year professional journalist can offer. Collins has seen it all and this collection of stories serves as his highlight reel. In 1990, Collins penned the book BOXING BABYLON, one of my favorites, and a few years ago released the non-boxing book, TRAVELS WITH MARY JANE – Confessions of a 70-Year-Old Stoner (under the pseudonym The Old Head). When I heard Nigel was compiling his third book and learned that it would be a collection of pieces he wrote for The Ring, ESPN.com, Ringside Seat, Boxing News, and other sources, I wondered how he would tackle such a task. After all, his voluminous work has come in a steady stream since the early 1970s. How does one choose a limited number of stories from a career that could produce a twenty-volume set of boxing articles? It turns out the choices he made were smart and figure to make the book appeal to modern boxing fans while still catering to old-school fans. The book will entertain each group while managing to enlighten both. HOOKING OFF THE JAB contains forty-three stories, each its own chapter, organized in eight sections. Three of these sections focus on ring giants Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquaio and Mike Tyson. The MODERN SUPERSTARS section features subjects like Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Terence Crawford, and others. Collins explores a number of throwback fighters in the section called LEGEND OF THE RING. These pages are filled with historic names including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon, Bennie Briscoe, Dick Tiger, Jeff Chandler, Emmanuel Steward, Stanley Ketchell, and Carmen Basilio. EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTERS, includes profiles of Leon Spinks, Kitten Hayward, and a great chapter on “bad guys” like Sonny Liston, Luis Resto, Jake LaMotta, Harry Greb, Fritzie Zivic and Mysterious Billy Smith. Collins takes A WALK ON THE DARK SIDE with a section covering heavier boxing topics like the heartbreakingly tragic story of Sonny Banks, the fleeting career of Tyrone Everett, set-up fights, performance enhancing drugs, corrupt decisions, and rioting boxing fans. The BEHIND THE SCENES section details Nigel’s days as the manager of a trio of Philly fighters, a breakdown of details (including dollars and cents) of a fight promotion, the ongoing debate over when boxers should weigh in for a fight and how cannabis can and should fit within drug testing standards. The book concludes with a rare set of pieces on Mike Tyson at various stages of the Iron Mike saga: Tyson as a seemingly unbeatable young champion, an angry convict behind bars (in a one-of-a-kind interview), as the victim of boxing’s all-time biggest upset, and another exclusive interview during Tyson’s second reign as heavyweight champion, before his loss and subsequent meltdown against Evander Holyfield. HOOKING OFF THE JAB was a most enjoyable read and is a must for those interested in the sport of boxing. Nigel’s latest will fit nicely on my shelf right next to the best books of the genre. Published by Winding Road Stories, HOOKING OFF THE JAB is available for purchase at Amazon.com. |
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