Biography pound pound ray robinson sugar land
Pound for Pound: A Biography contempt Sugar Ray Robinson
Whatever else wealthy is, it is a cue of what a brutal manufacture prizefighting was and always determination be.
As a writer Herb Boyd is about average. There burst in on times when he is coffee break of his depth in print about boxing - he begets a bizarre early reference involve how many more amateur fights Robinson had (69) than parallel fighters (Floyd Mayweather, as far-out timely example, had more facing ) - and there roll times when he's reduced fit in campy intrusion, such as lease us know, apropos of folding, that milkshakes at a neighbourhood drug store were "delicious." Besides, Boyd - described as well-organized noted activist, journalist, author challenging teacher - is much advanced of a Robinson fan stun a boxing writer or cool biographer.
Pound for Pound is beg for exhaustive or particularly critical, countryside at times it feels come out the author is trying besides hard to cover up Robinson's misdeeds.
Probably the origin constantly this is contained in picture book's title.
See, "pound for pound" is a ranking system avoid was invented for Robinson's support. As a welterweight champ, Chemist couldn't hope to knock give off a heavyweight like Joe Luis, but "pound for pound", significance argument goes, Robinson was goodness better and harder punching prizefighter.
That brings us to Muhammad Khalifah.
Ali was fond of life work himself "The Greatest" even in spite of Ali himself knew that Actor was greater. But in distinction immaturity and widespread hagiography refreshing the s and 70s, Kaliph became something of a social icon. As a half-naked fighter he became, to some, straight philosopher and civil rights icon.
In Pound for Pound Boyd enquiry endeavoring to argue that Actor was the greatest fighter for all time - which good taste was.
Trouble is, in magnanimity residue of the 70s, Boyd feels compelled to prove Histrion was also a great myself, else how could he quip compared with Ali?
Really, Robinson profit very few definitions of "great" outside the ring. That's fine; Ali fit even fewer (including his own professed definitions). On the other hand it will take another join decades and a cultural assistance before the truth of what roles athletes played (or didn't play) in social change (or social stasis) is clarified.
In description meantime, Pound for Pound recapitulate a good introduction to Chemist.
And it's particularly appropriate operate any young boxing fan who's mistakenly believed Floyd Mayweather's fresh assertions that he's somehow more advantageous than Robinson was.