tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53465323258344301842024-02-19T03:11:22.971+00:00BOXIANAExamining the past, present and future of the noble art of boxingLuke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-25464634114501040642015-10-16T10:20:00.000+01:002015-10-17T10:31:14.830+01:00Boxiana book club: A Man's World<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Man's World: The Double Life of Emile Griffith by Donald McRae (Simon and Schuster, September 2015)</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Boxiana rating: 5 stars</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Close followers of sports-related writing will already be
familiar with the trajectory of Donald McRae's career. Since the South African
writer's book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Trade</i> was
published in 1996 to universal acclaim, he has twice been the winner of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">William Hill Sports Book of the Year</i>
prize, and has also carved a reputation as a highly perceptive interviewer for
both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Guardian</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boxing News</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">McRae is also versatile. Among his other books are
studies of the world's first heart transplant, a biography of iconic American
lawyer Clarence Darrow and a study of prostitution in London. Indeed,
despite his deep association with the sport of boxing, McRae's latest book - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Man's World</i> - is actually only his
third 'boxing themed' book, after the aforementioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Trade</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In Black and
White</i> (which was arguably only 'half' a boxing book, seeing as it was as
much about athlete Jesse Owens as boxer Joe Louis).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The near 20-year gap since the publication of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Trade</i> means that expectations for McRae’s
return to long-form boxing writing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Man’s World</i> are high - and McRae does not disappoint.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The back story of Emile Griffith's ultimately tragic
trilogy of contests with Benny Paret between in the early 1960s is well known to most
serious boxing fans, as is Griffiths’ sometimes troubled personal life and his
complex attitudes to, and struggles with, his sexuality. For example, an excellent
documentary was made about Griffiths entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ring of Fire</i>, while the Paret contests and his ‘double life’ also feature
at length in Ron Ross’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nine… Ten .. and
Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However, no other writer has examined Griffiths’ complex
sexuality and private life with as much insight and artistry as McRae. A major
feature of the book is McRae’s fastidious research as well as his uncommon and
enviable ability to treat the people he writes about with compassion and
dignity but also honesty. McRae has the sure stylistic touch and flourishes of
a novelist, as well as the factual rigour of a top journalist. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The book that emerges from this formidable skills set is,
by turns, fascinating, deeply moving, compelling and, ultimately,
inspirational. Like all the best sports books <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Man’s World</i> is about so much more than ‘just sport’. It is about
prejudice, passion and desire, as well as regret, despair and
forgiveness.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is particularly good to see that McRae devotes a
considerable portion of the book to the South African boxer Willie Toweel,
whose own encounter with ring tragedy is every bit as moving and interesting as
the sections of the book dealing with Griffiths.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In summation, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Man’s
World</i> is a must-read. It is a book which touches the heart and focuses the
mind. By closing with an examination of the first ‘openly gay’ boxer Orlando Cruz,
the book also, despite the many tragedies it deals with, leaves the reader feeling
uplifted and thankful for the many ways in which the world has changed for the
better since the 1960s.</span></div>
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</span></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
Luke G. Williams</i></b></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</a><br />
<a href="http://www.billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk/">www.billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Follow </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">@boxianajournal</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-61634132776568450692015-06-12T07:52:00.002+01:002015-06-12T08:01:45.200+01:00Naseem Hamed and the unfailing sense of being young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkcrOh1Zk6i5WgzCn1ui_LkJChOS_Zg9Ig4w3BlpyEpNRdGB0OtQaCqevM0J4SG4PMpltaQWo20aVDGDhWhpCo8jNQjRi4O5hBjN2Vq_AVbU1l0iNt1Mp6pvMTwvv2yAYFN0YVbmLu7w/s1600/hamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkcrOh1Zk6i5WgzCn1ui_LkJChOS_Zg9Ig4w3BlpyEpNRdGB0OtQaCqevM0J4SG4PMpltaQWo20aVDGDhWhpCo8jNQjRi4O5hBjN2Vq_AVbU1l0iNt1Mp6pvMTwvv2yAYFN0YVbmLu7w/s200/hamed.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWSF0SPcLbypd_lot6RR9ITtgL-62NDCVR8Q8mO4heF4aXsegaWO3QFlUYAOjN1B073G4aWPbSYWGZecoPizCUvit1M46s9AP0mtzqs2CRNsUJz_vU2LtdHxchYmsQxBC8feVdL0lxUw/s1600/hamed2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWSF0SPcLbypd_lot6RR9ITtgL-62NDCVR8Q8mO4heF4aXsegaWO3QFlUYAOjN1B073G4aWPbSYWGZecoPizCUvit1M46s9AP0mtzqs2CRNsUJz_vU2LtdHxchYmsQxBC8feVdL0lxUw/s200/hamed2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was with a shudder that I
realised today, as his induction – at last – into the International Boxing Hall
of Fame approaches this weekend - that Naseem Hamed, the eternal <i>enfant terrible</i> of British boxing, is
now man in his forties, complete with substantial paunch and double chin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This realisation made me feel
like crying – for my own lost youth, as much as for his, for the inexorable
march of time and the inevitable decay of everything that was once beautiful
and thrilling into something far more mundane and middle-aged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There was always something so
youthful about Hamed in his pomp – perhaps it was the inherent cheekiness in
his eyes and his cocksure smile, or perhaps it was the hyperbolic absurdity of his
outrageous post-fight pronouncements, but his persona reeked of a preening
youngster, a strutting peacock of the playground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m just too good!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Boom! He didn’t want no more
after that!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I might be paraphrasing or
mis-remembering, but I think it was Steve Bunce who once said that watching
Hamed was a joy precisely because of the “youthful feeling of chaos” he brought
to the ring. It’s an image that perfectly captures Hamed’s unique genius – for
throughout his career he managed, sometimes within the same fight or even within
the same round, to look both graceful and graceless, technically brilliant and technically deficient, and unbeatable as well as terminally vulnerable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, when we’re young, we
think we’re indestructible and can conquer the world, and Hamed was no
different. As early as his debut professional fight the Prince was declaring in the
programme notes that he as “as good as Ali”. It was this confidence and
ambition that secured for Hamed the rapt attention of the younger generation,
and the opprobrium of stick-in-the mud oldsters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">My school friends and I were obsessed with Hamed from his first appearance on ITV onwards. When it was finally time for his coronation as 'world champion' we gathered at Chris Watkinson's flat in Crystal Palace (he was the only one of our group of friends who had SKY TV) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">to watch the Prince's destruction of Steve Robinson</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">. As a collective we savoured every punch, every piece of
showboating and every ridiculous wiggle of Hamed's leopardskin-tassled rump. When the fight ended we swallowed Hamed's rhetoric hook, line and sinker and were convinced we had just seen the greatest fighter who ever lived, or <i>would ever live</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Having borrowed Chris' recording of the fight I made my mum watch it back with me the next day. “You’ve got to
watch this!” I told her. “This Prince Naseem is amazing!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">As the fight unfolded
my mum’s expression oscillated between bemusement and disgust. “What are you
talking about?” she said. “He’s vile!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My mum may have rejected Hamed pretty quickly, but I
never did. Along with millions of other youngsters I followed his rollercoaster
career, with its intoxicating highs – the destruction of longstanding feather
king Tom Johnson, the breathtaking seesaw battle with Kevin Kelley – and occasional
lows – the McCullough promotion debacle, complete with a ring entrance that was
alarmingly crass even by Hamed’s standards, and the body-slam of Cesar Soto –
until the ignominious finale against Marco Antonio Barrera and the relaunch that never was versus Manuel Calvo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the end, perhaps, Hamed should be seen as
boxing’s Prometheus. An ambitious over-reacher who flew too close to the sun and came
crashing to earth. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But while he was flying, what a ride it was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remain convinced that Hamed was
the greatest British talent to ever lace up a pair of gloves, which is why,
simultaneously, his surreal career can also be viewed as a huge waste of talent. More charitably,
perhaps, I should savour those 31 stunning knockouts, the several years Hamed
spent as the world’s number one featherweight, and the fact that, even now, whenever
I watch one of his fights on </span><em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">youtube</em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> what poet Philip Larkin once called “the
unfailing sense of being young” overcomes my own middle-aged and paunchy
frame.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://boxrec.com/ratings.php?country=&sex=m&division=Featherweight&status=E&SUBMIT=Go" style="font-family: Georgia;" target="_blank">BoxRec ranks Hamed as the 14th greatest featherweight of all time</a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. Traditionalists might scoff at that, but to me, when he was at his best, that feels about right. Hamed's supernatural punch power and the defensive elusiveness that he abandoned later in his career would have given any feather who ever walked the face of the earth problems. In the end though, does it really matter where he ranks? The stack of thrilling memories Hamed has left us with us more than satisfy me, and I suspect the Prince feels much the same. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ever the maverick, Naz won’t be
at Canastota this weekend for his induction – a family medical issue having kept him
away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He’s confidently declared he will take to the stage next year and upstage the 2016 inductees, but part
of me wants him to remain in the shadows forever – as he has largely done ever since a
retirement that was never formally announced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the shadows, I can’t see his
wrinkles or his paunch, you see, and I can kid myself that maybe there are
still more knockouts to come.</span>Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-42727072628122426802015-01-14T15:30:00.000+00:002015-01-14T15:30:25.850+00:00A New Hope: Boxiana meets the Bomb Squad<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlBXjHdBaWBjRvcpvMGYhyFdVbjjXgRz8QNRrFyLTMzbXAOkfU5jJrtID0yFP9xlbepaeR6qmtqgXIYB9XU5uA9K1mZgHqvcqWD6A6AgRdXzNQoKtB-GE1P08z-qnYArkAGVXXsibd1Q/s1600/Deontay+Wilder+variant+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlBXjHdBaWBjRvcpvMGYhyFdVbjjXgRz8QNRrFyLTMzbXAOkfU5jJrtID0yFP9xlbepaeR6qmtqgXIYB9XU5uA9K1mZgHqvcqWD6A6AgRdXzNQoKtB-GE1P08z-qnYArkAGVXXsibd1Q/s1600/Deontay+Wilder+variant+art.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">This
article is from Boxiana: Volume 1, which </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Troubador Publishing</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the UK</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the USA</span></a> and all good
traditional and online booksellers. <span style="color: #444444;">Paperback book
(RRP £9.99) Ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">A NEW HOPE By Luke G., Williams</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">EXCLUSIVE: The full 6,000 word article
online for the first time</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Last year</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Luke G. Williams</span></i></strong> was <i>given
extensive access to America’s great heavyweight hope Deontay Wilder and the
team surrounding him. As Deontay faces his moment of destiny against Bermane
Stiverne for the WBC Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night, <strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Boxiana</span></strong> brings you Luke’s
full and extensive feature on Deontay’s career so far and the team surrounding
him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">They
say that you can measure the state of professional boxing by the strength and
profile of the heavyweight division. If that’s true, then the sport is
currently on life support. Wladimir Klitschko, in all his robotic glory,
bestrides the division - master of all he surveys, with a series of
increasingly hapless victims having prostrated themselves at his feet.
Klitschko has made noises about trying to extend his reign until the age of 50
but, Eastern Europe and the boxing cognoscenti apart, no one really cares - he
may be a master at winning, as a decade-long unbeaten streak proves; he may
even be a master pugilist, as his incredible determination to maximise his
strengths and neutralise his weaknesses illustrates, but his inability to
engage or excite the casual sports fan or wider public, particularly in
America, has left heavyweight boxing in desperate need of a new face to
re-establish the pre-eminence of the Heavyweight Championship as the most
coveted and valuable honour in sport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Deontay
Leshun Wilder could be that new face. The saviour. The new hope. The next ‘big
thing’. His professional record as of July 2014 certainly evokes excitement and
infers a propensity for violence; in 31 bouts, Wilder has never been past four
rounds, and every single opponent he has faced has been knocked out, many of
them savagely so, left in a heap with their limbs twitching and bodies
convulsing and contorting in concussive pain. Now that he is on the verge of
challenging for a world title, Wilder is in the unenviable position of carrying
the burden of America’s heavyweight hopes on his broad, tattooed
shoulders. If a charismatic, photogenic and engaging man like Wilder can
become World Heavyweight Champion … if he can buck the recent dominance of
eastern European heavyweights … if he can unify the belts in an exciting style,
sending the top contenders sprawling to the canvas ... then maybe, just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe</i>, he could
revitalise boxing’s popularity, which has been under siege from a confluence of
factors already too well-rehearsed and discussed to recite again. A series of
‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ aren’t much to hang the future of a sport on, but sometimes
boxing fans have to cling to whatever hope they can find.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">The
Appalachians are a vast series of mountains, ridgelines and valleys, that
stretch a majestic 1,500 miles through the east of North America, from the
island of Newfoundland in the north to the heart of the southern state of
Alabama. The vast swathes of broad and needle-leaf trees that characterise the
flora of much of the region have borne silent witness to centuries of
bloodshed, struggle and violence; from the cultural clashes between the first
European colonists and the native Americans, to the American War of Independence,
American Civil War and the Civil Rights struggle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Tuscaloosa,
the fifth largest city in the state of Alabama, is located in the foothills of
the Appalachians. Like many towns and cities across America, its history sums
up many of the maddening contradictions of the American dream. It was in
Tuscaloosa, on 11 June 1963, that Governor George Wallace stood in front of the
entrance to the University of Alabama in an attempt to maintain segregation at
the University by blocking the entry and enrolment of black students Vivian
Malone Jones and James Hood. It was also near to the site of the modern-day
city that, in 1540, the Spanish Conquistador Hernando de Soto was ambushed by
members of the Mobilian tribe, led by one Chief Tuskaloosa, a fearsome warrior
who was said to be so much taller than the Spanish that “he seemed a giant”.
After a bitter and bloody battle lasting nine hours, the Spanish emerged
triumphant, although Chief Tuskaloosa’s bravery was not forgotten, with later
settlers naming the town in his honour, as well as the river that ran through
it, which was termed the ‘Black Warrior’ river, a nod to the meaning of the
chief’s name when translated from Choctaw. Interestingly enough, the Gentleman
of Elvas’ description of chief Tuskaloosa in 1557 pretty neatly summarises the
qualities of a great heavyweight champion: “Full of dignity … tall of person,
muscular lean and symmetrical … Equally feared by his vassals and the
neighbouring nations.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">It
somehow seems appropriate that Tuscaloosa is the birthplace and home of Deontay
Wilder, for the heavyweight division has long been looking for a ‘black
warrior’ to curb the Klitschko brother’s monotonous dominance. After the false
dawns represented by the likes of Michael Grant, Seth Mitchell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">et al</i>, and given
Wilder’s untested chin and occasionally wild style, many sceptics scoff at the
notion that he is the warrior the sport has been waiting for. But, interviewing
Deontay himself and the team who surround him, a compelling case emerges that
Wilder is the real deal, and that the Heavyweight Championship of the World
isn’t merely his dream, but his destiny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Although
Wilder has admitted that he possessed a youthful tendency to get involved in
street scraps, it would be inaccurate to characterise his upbringing as
misspent or dysfunctional, in the way that, say, Mike Tyson’s was. “My
childhood was good,” he confesses, an unusual but refreshing admission to
elicit from a boxer, given how regularly the sport’s participants proudly
parade their stories of a misspent or deprived youth. “I had good teachers
in school who cared; I was taught right from wrong. I learned to
respect people and to expect people to respect me. I learned
to not to be a fool. Alabama is a great place to raise a family; you
can live here and not worry about too much. I still live here and would
recommend it to anyone. I've had opportunities to move but I don't want
to; this is home.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br />
To paraphrase the classic plot device from Orson Welles’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Citizen Kane</i>,
there was a ‘Rosebud’ moment for Wilder – in other words, a moment that
explains and puts into context everything that he has achieved, strived for and
focused on since. For Wilder, that moment was the birth of his daughter Naieya
on 20 March 2005. X-rays soon after her birth revealed a hole in Naieya’s spine
and she was subsequently diagnosed with the developmental disorder spina
bifida. “Naieya is my inspiration,” Wilder stresses. “After she was born
with spina bifida, the doctors said she wouldn't do this or that but she is now
doing all the things they said she wouldn't. I never would've gotten into
boxing without her.” After Naieya’s birth Wilder, then just 19, was fuelled by
a steely determination to provide for and support his daughter the best he
possibly could. He dropped out of college and was soon driving a beer delivery
truck to earn a living as well as working at a branch of Red Lobster, a seafood
restaurant chain. A sports enthusiast, Wilder had never given a boxing career a
second thought, however desired careers in American football and basketball had
not materialised, so he decided to consider other options. And that’s when he discovered
the Skyy gym.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">It’s
not exactly where you’d expect a top-class heavyweight to be training. To find
the Skyy Gym you need to keep a sharp eye out for the A-n-M ‘Family Food Mart’
on the outskirts of the quiet suburban sprawl of Northport, a small city
adjacent to Tuscaloosa. After taking a sharp left past the ‘A-n-M’ and
negotiating a trio of speed bumps, a long, tan metal building eventually comes
into sight. Within this unprepossessing exterior lurks trainer and Skyy gym
owner </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jay Deas; entrepreneurial, passionate and committed, Deas possesses a
youthful air at odds with the grizzled, aged boxing trainer of popular legend.
Deas combines sharp intelligence, honed by his former career as a television
crime reporter and his passion for writing, with affability. He also lives and
breathes boxing, a passion which was originally fed by his brother Tommy. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“</b>My brother was
a boxing writer,” Jay recalls. “Even as far back as high school, I grew up with
boxing. In fact, I remember being the only 3rd grader who could tell you
the top 10 in every weight class!”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In 1995 Tommy and Jay opened the Skyy, and he has
never looked back since. “I was a sparring partner for all the guys,” Jay explains.
“I also compiled a video library of some 3,000 to 4,000 fights. I would sell
copies of bouts to managers and promoters including Don King and Butch
Lewis. I was probably the only high schooler talking on the phone to Butch
Lewis! When my brother got out of boxing in 2005 I took over the training
duties.” In a relatively short space of time, Jay has already built a
formidable reputation for himself as an astute and successful trainer with a
keen intellect, being named the Developmental Coach of the Year by the United
States Olympic Committee in 2007. Despite his relative inexperience, he has
already trained 16 fighters who have won an impressive 28 Golden Gloves titles
between them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You have to coach to your personality or it will come
off as fake,” Deas replies when asked to define his coaching
philosophy. “Whatever type of person you are needs to come out in your
coaching. Not every coach is right for every boxer. The chemistry has to be
there. You also have to be open to continue learning because you’ll never
know it all. There is always so much to learn. Finally, you have to
be flexible. The training plan can change based on circumstances and you
have to be ready for that and able to adjust.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Despite
the fact that Joe Louis and Evander Holyfield were born there, Alabama is
hardly renowned as one of the great boxing heartlands. In fact both these
legendary champions only learnt to box after their families left the state for
Detroit, Michigan and Atlanta, Georgia respectively. Had it not been for a
fateful occurrence in 2005, it’s likely that Deas would have continued to
plough a successful furrow, doing worthwhile but low-profile work in his home
state, accumulating awards, plaudits and Golden Gloves success, but going
unnoticed on the world stage. However, that one day in 2005 changed everything.
Because on that day Deontay Wilder walked into the Skyy gym – and suddenly it
became possible that the Heavyweight Championship of the World might come to
little old Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And that the champion might be trained by Jay
Deas, the local kid whose fanaticism for boxing had led him to open his own
gym.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">From
the moment he walked into the Skyy gym, Wilder felt at home. Scratch that –
such a description doesn’t do his feelings justice; it’s more accurate to say
that from the moment he walked into the Skyy Gym Wilder felt that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he had arrived at a
place which would become inexorably linked with his destiny</i> – and that
destiny was to become World Heavyweight Champion. “I walked in and heard the
speed bag,” he explains, with no sense of exaggeration or hyperbole. “And a
feeling came over me. I just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> I was in the
right place. I had never seen boxing in person and I knew this was
my last resort to become a famous athlete. It was an overwhelming
feeling, I was in love from that first moment.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Deas
also remembers Wilder’s first visit vividly. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He walked in and I
thought: ‘wow! He's tall!’” he jokes. “He told me he wanted to be a boxer but,
of course, I hear that every day. I showed him a few basics and then left him
alone. I wanted to see what he would do when he thought I wasn't watching and
he actually worked even harder when he didn't know I was watching. That's very
unusual, so I thought I may have something here.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From first walking into the gym in 2005, Wilder
advanced, inside just three years, to winning the National Golden Gloves, the
National Amateur title, the Olympic trials and a bronze medal at the 2008
Beijing Olympics – all within the space of only 30 amateur bouts. It was an
astonishingly meteoric rise that owed much to Wilder’s natural athleticism,
strength and size, but also to Deas’ ability to install confidence and
technique within his raw charge. Most of all, though, it was a testament to
Wilder’s capacity for, and willingness to engage in, hard work. Indeed, the
subject of Wilder’s work ethic is something Deas returns to again and again:
“Deontay is very athletic and very strong, and he obviously hits hard but
people don't give him enough credit for how hard he works. Nobody wakes up and
decides they want to win an Olympic medal and then just does it. There’s a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ton</i> of sweat and
work from the ‘idea’ to the medal ceremony … and he put in that work. He has a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i> work
ethic.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Deas cites a couple of telling anecdotal examples to
back up his point. “Once we were in Memphis, which is a four-hour drive from
home, to watch a fight,” he explains. “At this time Deontay was
working for a beer company driving and stocking shelves. We stopped at a
convenience store to get a Pepsi and I saw him get really angry. I wondered
what was wrong and it turned out he was upset that the beer guys didn't stock the
beer correctly! Apparently all the labels on the beer should face forward and
they had neglected to do this, so Deontay re-stocked the cooler! This
wasn't in his town or even his state but to him ‘right is right’ and it
wasn't right, so he made it right! That's Deontay! Another time, the
week after the Olympics, I came to the gym to find Deontay on
his hands and knees re-tiling the bathroom floor. I said: ‘Deontay,
you're the only medal winner for the United States in boxing, you don't have to
do that.” His reply was that it needed doing. I said:
‘Deontay, really you don't have to…’ And he cut me off. It needed doing,
he repeated. So I left him alone and by the end of the day
we had a re-tiled floor!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">As well
as a formidable work ethic, Wilder also possesses another key component in any
sporting champion - seemingly limitless ambition. When asked to assess his own
strengths and weaknesses, his response is instructive: “My strengths? I want to
achieve more than anyone has ever done and I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> quit. My
goals are so high the naked eye can't see them! My weakness is not knowing
when to stop, give up or quit … so I guess that’s not a weakness.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">After
winning the Olympic bronze medal, Wilder swiftly turned pro, signing with
Golden Boy promotions and making his professional debut in November 2008 with a
two-round destruction of anonymous trial horse Ethan Cox. Since then, he has
attracted plenty of criticism for the largely limited opposition he has faced.
However, another member of Wilder’s support team, the highly respected Canadian
trainer and expert cutman Russ Anber, makes a valid point concerning Wilder’s
gradual development as a professional. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Simply put I would
have to say that Deontay may be the best heavyweight I have ever seen with the
least amount of experience,” explains Anber, a passionate and relentlessly
enthusiastic figure, who has been in the fight game for over 35 years. “I think
this is the one thing that the armchair experts and media fail to realise; yet
it may be the single most important factor in Deontay becoming champion of the
world. Generally fans and media forget that Deontay’s amateur experience was so
little. He won the Olympic Bronze medal with about 20 fights to his credit.
Compare that to Lennox Lewis, who I worked with as an amateur, and who took
part in two Olympic Games before becoming multiple champion of the world, and
had well over 100 amateur fights. That is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">huge</i> difference.
Couple that with the fact that Deontay has knocked out every pro opponent he
has faced and we are still dealing with the same problem. That’s why Deontay
needs to continue to develop and garnish the necessary ring experience if he is
not only going to win the title, but to hold on to it for years to come and
become the dominant champion we all think he can be.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Wilder
repeats his list of professional ambitions as though they are a mantra: “To be
heavyweight champ of world. Undisputed. Defend the belts, hold
them for a while, retire and go into acting. I have God-given talent. I
was born a leader. I was born to do it. It is inside of me.” It also
doesn’t matter to him who he faces, who he has to beat. “Whoever says they are
the best,” he shrugs. “Whoever has the belts.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br />
His recent opponents, Audley Harrison, Siarhei Liakhovich, Nicolai Firtha and
Malik Scott, didn’t have “the belts” that Wilder so hungrily covets, but they
did have a somewhat higher pedigree than most of his 27 previous victims. That
pedigree didn’t stop them from being knocked out as well though, as Wilder
advanced his career record to 31 fights and 31 knockouts. For Jay Deas, these
performances also demonstrated Deontay’s continued technical improvements. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Every
fight can be improved upon, but I felt really proud of the Liakhovich fight
because he was patient and picked his shots,” Deas admits. “I also
liked the Audley Harrison fight, which surprises some because he got wild,
but if you watch that fight closely you'll see something we worked on. We
wanted Deontay to get his front foot around southpaw Audley's front foot,
which we felt was closed too far inward, and then throw a left hook /
right hand. If done correctly and in the right position, it should hit
Audley on the right side of his face. Under normal circumstances a
right-hander throwing a right at a southpaw would land the punch in the middle
or the left side of the face. We worked on this specific move and only this
move in the final five minutes before heading to the ring and Deontay
executed it perfectly! Watch the video on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">youtube</i> and
you'll see Deontay trying to get his foot in the correct position.
Once he hurt him, all bets were off, but at that moment I was very proud
of how he executed just what we worked on.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wilder himself is keenly aware of how much he owes his
rapid rise to the team around him which Deas has painstakingly assembled. When
I ask him to pinpoint the most important factor in his career so far he is
adamant it’s </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">“having a great
team … That's the most important thing because with this team I have the
opportunities to do everything I want to in boxing and make a great living.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">It’s
left to Deas to guide me through the personnel who make up the ‘Bomb Squad’,
the team of men who guide Wilder’s career and training. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here’s
the rundown,” he announces. “Shelly Finkel was involved from the
start. It was me and Shelly as managers. Shelly got out of the game
for a couple of years during which I assumed all managerial
duties. When he returned to boxing we welcomed him
back. Recently Al Haymon [also] came on board. Al has had tremendous
success with his fighters and has a good relationship with
television. The time was right to work with Al and I can tell you first
hand I really like the guy; he's funny and smart, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> smart, and I
enjoy talking to him. So the managers are Al, Shelly and me. As
for training, I work with Mark Breland and Russ Anber. Both have input
into Deontay's training; Mark is the lead in the corner and warms Deontay
up; Russ is the best hand wrapper in boxing, even Wlad Klitschko
calls Russ the best he's ever seen. Russ is also our cut man. I’m the
most versatile of the bunch in that I can lead in the corner, wrap, do cuts, so
I’m the utility player, filling in if and where needed. Coach Cuz Hill is
my assistant and also on Team Wilder as camp coordinator. The
chemistry is just what I want; firstly, you’ve got a loud obnoxious
Canadian in Russ. Watch him on youtube at the end of [Dereck] Chisora
versus [Malik] Scott when Russ was with Scott and they stopped the fight
early. It's hilarious; Russ goes nuts. We gave him a lot of
grief over it! Mixed in with that you’ve got a quiet New Yorker, gold medalist
and two-time world champ in Mark who talks in whispers but may be the funniest
guy you'll ever meet, but also has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Plus
there’s me; an Alabama guy who has been with Deontay since day one and knows
him better than anyone, as he does me. Then there’s Cuz Hill who is quiet but
full of youthful energy. So you see, everyone is there for a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reason</i>. Egos
are not permitted, it's all about helping Deontay; if that's not your goal,
you've gotta go!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">I don’t
have the heart to tell Mark Breland this, but as a child, I was a huge fan of
Jamaican-born Lloyd Honeyghan and vividly remember my disappointment when
Breland ended Lloyd’s hopes of a third stint as World Champion with a
devastating six-knockdown, three-round victory against the ‘Ragamuffin’ at
Wembley Arena in 1990. Re-watching this fight on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">youtube</i> it’s
evident what a skilled boxer Breland was – freakishly tall for a welterweight
at 6’2”, elegant and hard-hitting, with swift hands and a rapier like left jab.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> With
110 wins in 111 amateur fights, an Olympic Gold medal and two worlds titles,
Breland certainly knows a thing or two about the boxing trader. Impressively,
the now 50-year-old </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Breland
barely looks any heavier than the welterweight limit of 10 stone 7 pounds that
he used to fight at; with his softly spoken voice and black-rimmed spectacles,
he also possesses a professorial air that forms quite a contrast with the
beautiful destruction his fists once wrought. As Deas claimed, Breland also has
a wicked sense of humour. “H</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ere’s a good story,” he says. “I was in Alabama
training Deontay and it snowed. That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> happens in
Alabama! It was only a couple of inches but it shut the whole city
down. I live in New York, so this was nothing to me. Anyway, I was
driving and a policeman pulled me over. He said: ‘you're going too
fast. Don't you see all this snow?’ I said, ‘Man, I'm from
Brooklyn!’ He looked at me, said, ‘have a nice day,’ and walked away! Ha
ha!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Breland </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">assumes
a more matter of fact tone as takes up the story of his association with
Wilder: “M</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">y former manager Shelly Finkel called me and asked me
if I wanted to work with Deontay. He and Jay had been talking. I met Jay
during the Olympic trials in Houston and saw Deontay win the trials. I
think he and Shelly saw that my height and reach for my weight was similar to
what Deontay has for his. So we had a lot in common, me and Deontay. I
thought he had pure raw strength and good leverage on his punches. He could
punch really well. I saw things to correct but they were minor things
that were the result of being a young fighter. He didn't have much
experience so we got right to work.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When asked to assess Deontay’s strengths, Breland
picks his words carefully, but precisely. “His jab is better than people
think. Good reach. Great power. His left is better than he
gets credit for; everybody sees the right but if you fight Deontay and focus on
the right, you've got a surprise coming with that left! He's dedicated, so he
learns fast. He's actually come along faster than I thought he would at
this point. I knew he'd come along fast but he's done what he's done and
learned what he's learned a little faster than I anticipated. He's gotten out
of some bad habits and there is still a lot to learn. There always
is. If you quit learning you need to quit boxing.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Understandably,
Breland is a little vague and cagey when assessing what areas Wilder still
needs to work on. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Keeping his hands up, using his jab more, calming
down. Minor things. He has the tools, so just minor things.” He
also echoes Deas’ and Anber’s emphasis on patience and gradual development.
“He's still one of the youngest heavyweights in boxing to be in the top 10.
Most of the top guys are in their 30s and even 40s, but he's just 28 and only
had a handful of amateur fights. He's good now but if he keeps learning and
working hard he'll be off the charts as he goes. He has a ton of potential and
now we're to the point where he's getting the chance to show it. He's still a
few years from his prime! Once he gets used to his length and range it
will be scary.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Like
the rest of the team, Breland exudes a real sense of joy to be part of the
‘Bomb Squad’: “W</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">e have a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i> team,” he
enthuses. “I'd put our team against anybody's team. I've been a part of a lot
of coaching teams and this is not only the best but my favourite to be
on. We're on the same page; if someone is going to say something we
all know where they're going with it before they say it. We know each
other really well and work hard but have a lot of fun too. I call Jay all
the time and say: ‘when are we going to camp?’”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">*
*
*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">A vital
part of Deontay Wilder’s boxing education has been his willingness to work as a
sparring partner for more experienced heavyweights, and Jay Deas’ enthusiasm
for him to do so, in order to expand his boxing education. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We try
to bring in the best sparring partners and we still send Deontay to camps to
spar as well,” Deas explains. “He's sparred with Malik Scott, Audley
Harrison, Mike Perez, David Haye, Wlad Klitschko, Kevin Johnson, Tony Thompson,
Tomas Adamek, Owen Beck, Alonzo Butler, Ray Austin, Jameel McCline, Jarrell
Miller, Nate Heaven, Walt Harris, Brian Ezell and so on.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wilder himself is also enthusiastic about this
process.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> “I’ve learned a
lot from each camp, and took something from each camp. World-class
sparring can only help you. You hear people say: ‘why are you working as
a sparring partner when you are unbeaten?’ But Klitschko worked as a sparring
partner for Holyfield when he was an undefeated up-and-comer too. People
that say things like I shouldn't be sparring these guys don't know anything
about boxing. I'm working with people who have been where I want to
go. Working with them you learn, and for me it confirms what I know
already - that I can do this at the top level. It also improves my muscle
memory.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Wilder’s
training timetable is deliberately flexible, as Deas explains. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
schedule changes day to day based on what he needs to do to get better. He may
go to strength training, then rest and eat, then work out in the
evening. Or the day may call for him to swim or play basketball before
coming to the gym.” For a heavyweight, maintaining a fine balance between speed
and physical bulk is a fine art and a desire to keep Wilder both strong but
also mobile also underpins his training. “We have a strength coach that we
like,” Deas explains. “This guy, Peter Khourey from Boston, understands we're
not making a bodybuilder, we're making a heavyweight. So Deontay lifts,
stretches, runs hills, swims and plays a lot of basketball which mimics
the ‘stop-go-up-down’ pace of boxing. Roy Jones did the same. A
lot of Europeans play tennis or soccer for the same reason but I don't see
Deontay on the tennis court!”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*
*
*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
It’s the responsibility of </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Cuz
Hill, the youngest member of the ‘Bomb Squad’, to look after many of the
day-to-day specifics and logistics of Wilder’s training. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I'm
there to help Deontay in any way I can,” he stresses. “Whether it be mitt work
or to coordinate the training camp. I want to be helpful and on point at all
times. I don't want Deontay to worry about little things. Little things
can become big things when they aren't taken care of. The water? I
got it. The timer? I got it. Vaseline? Got it. Towel? Got it
and so on. Camp should run like clockwork.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hill </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">is
a perfect example of the power of boxing to inspire and create opportunities
for youngsters who might otherwise lack direction. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I never took to
anything like I did to boxing,” he admits. “A friend of mine who was a
boxer got me into it. I started out just learning to box and I loved the workout.
I feel like I got good and the trainers told me I had a real high skill
level. As I learned more about it I just fell in love with it. I
found myself thinking about it all the time and watching fights and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">youtube</i>
constantly. Even though I had good skills as a boxer a childhood injury to
my head kept me from competing, but I loved it so much I wanted to be part of
it. I decided I wanted to learn to coach so I talked to Jay and he started
working with me. I've been doing it ever since. It’s not easy and
it's a lot of work but I'm there every day all day because I want to make my
name in this game.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hill admits that boxing in general, and Deas in
particular, have given him opportunities - for travel, for a career in the
world of professional sport - that he would never otherwise have had. “Jay will
be the first to tell you all he gave me was an opportunity,” he
emphasises. “But it was up to me to do something with it and I never
forget that. I know I'm part of a team that almost every coach in America
and even the World would want to be on. But again, I earned it. It's a blessing
to be in this situation. I never would've thought I'd be traveling the
world with boxing. I had never been on a plane until I started coaching
and now I've been to California, Texas, all over the southeast [of the USA] and
even to England. I love everything about it. The press conferences, the
meals, the hotels, the fight, the dressing room, the coaches’ meetings, the
glove selection, you name it. I love it all and I hope to spend my whole
life in boxing.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">At the
opposite end of the experience scale to Hill, is seasoned veteran Russ Anber,
who still maintains a schoolboy-like enthusiasm for boxing, despite over 35
years in the business. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I got my start with Team Wilder, when Jay Deas was
kind enough to ask me to help him out in the corner when Deontay fought in
Cincinnati a couple of years back,” Anber explains. “We basically hit it off
from the start and I have been part of ‘The Bomb Squad’ ever since.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anber is recognised as one of the premier cutmen in
the world, an art which is often underrated and yet so crucial to the outcome
of so many fights. “When I first started in boxing, trainers and cutmen were my
heroes,” he recalls. “I often say that when I was 18, my friends idolised the
great champions or athletes of that era. For me, my heroes had a towel slung
over their shoulder and a cotton swab in their mouth! I was so fortunate to get
my start in the game when the legendary trainers and cutmen dotted the
landscape. My heroes and those I looked up to included guys like Angelo Dundee,
Ray Arcel, Freddie Brown, Eddie Futch, Roger Larivee, George Benton and, of
course, Ralph Citro. I studied and learned from the best the game has ever seen.
I used to watch the difference they made in a corner. I hope that I too can
have the same impact they had.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Although
on fight night Anber acts as cutman and hand wrapper for what he believes
“might be the most destructive right hand in all of boxing”, his experience and
expertise are also crucial in other areas. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have numerous
roles in my work with Deontay, but I think the role in which I take the most
pride, is being involved with a great support team made up of Jay, Mark and
Cuz. Between the four of us we have come up with strategies, decisions,
training and aiding in the development of Deontay. In my opinion, we’re four
very different people with contrasting personalities who all have a passion for
what they do and who bring so much to the table.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There’s little that Anber hasn’t seen in his long
career in boxing, and as such he seems well placed to judge Wilder’s potential.
His assessment chimes with my own gut feeling, after hours spent watching
Wilder’s previous fights, researching his career and getting to know the team
who surround him. “I think that as long as Deontay continues to be willing to
learn and continues to strive to improve himself as a fighter, then the sky is
the limit. The greatest athletes in history, in any sport, have all had one
thing in common. Not only do they have the desire to be the best, they
understand the work that is needed to achieve that greatness. I think the most
relevant comparison right now is Floyd Mayweather. The greatest fighter in the
game today is also the hardest working fighter, and the one who continually
wants to learn. That is true greatness. As long as Deontay keeps those big feet
grounded and continues to use his mind to absorb as much boxing information as
he can, he can become a dominant champion. Deontay is still green as far as
boxing goes. He is nowhere near his prime. If people think he is good now, wait
and see how good he will be once he reaches boxing maturity.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*
*
*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Those who still doubt Deontay Wilder’s ability to
become World, Heavyweight Champion, or scoff at his achievements thus far,
might do well to consider this: there has already been one against-the-odds
triumph in his family. When his daughter Naieya was diagnosed with spina
bifida, various doctors told Deontay she was destined for life in a wheelchair.
It was a fate and a destiny which he, and she, refused to accept. Nine years
later, Naieya is walking, participating in gymnastics at her school and has
astonished the medical profession with her determination and strength. Like her
father, she’s a fighter, and you should never underestimate or write off a
fighter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">If the
Heavyweight Championship of the World <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> end up in
quiet old, sleepy old Tuscaloosa, Alabama - 1,800 miles from the glitz and
glamour of boxing’s heartland of Las Vegas - it will serve as the ultimate
vindication of Deontay’s decision, all those years ago, to enter the boxing
ring as a means to support his daughter. It will also vindicate the quiet
determination and obsessive love of the sport embodied by Jay Deas. “I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">t
would mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>
to me,” Deas admits. “Deontay has a body full of tattoos and I don't have
any, so I told him that when he wins the title I'll get one to
celebrate! It'll be huge because we came from nothing, with no
perks. And we did it brick by brick, day by day.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And with that, Deas, Deontay and the rest of the team
are back to work. Working - methodically, tirelessly, perhaps even inexorably -
towards their shared goal. And you know what? I wouldn’t bet against them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Deontay
Wilder faces Bermane Stiverne for the WBC Heavyweight Championship. You can
follow the progress of the fight on twitter @boxianajournal</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">FURTHER
INFORMATION:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is
now available in both paperback and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke
G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and
the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de
rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using
long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and
future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a
vital new voice in sports writing.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Volume 1:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses
the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand
at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s
bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon
Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising
light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the
military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in
1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko
conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of
Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958
319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and
photos for media use are available through the B<i>oxiana</i> blog:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Follow <i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal"><span style="color: blue;">@boxianajournal</span></a></i></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-3722730776050297792014-12-22T21:42:00.001+00:002014-12-22T21:42:22.708+00:00RICHMOND UNCHAINED TO PUBLISH IN AUGUST 2015<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bill Richmond: Illustration by Trevor Von Eeden</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After the success of my previous books <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snookers-World-Champions-Masters-Baize-ebook/dp/B009IJZDFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419275015&sr=8-1&keywords=masters+of+the+baize">Masters of the Baize</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Anthology-New-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419275102&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+volume+1">Boxiana: Volume 1</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m pleased to announce my third book. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RICHMOND UNCHAINED: The biography of the world’s first black sporting superstar, </i>which will be published by one of the UK’s leading publishers of historical books, Amberley Publishing, in August 2015.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The publication of the book will be accompanied by a series of Bill Richmond related events as well as exclusive extra content and features relating to the book which will be published on my new blog <a href="http://billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk/">billrichmond.blogspot.co.uk</a> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A synopsis of the project is included below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">RICHMOND UNCHAINED:</span></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The biography of the world’s first black sporting superstar</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">By Luke G. Williams</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As one of the first black men to survive and thrive in white-dominated English society, Richmond is long overdue recognition as one of the key figures in sporting as well as social history. Born into slavery in Staten Island, New York during colonial rule, Richmond escaped from a life of servitude by winning his freedom as a young boy and carved a new life for himself in England as a cabinet-maker and then a renowned and widely respected prize-fighter and trainer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today the name of the bare-knuckle boxer Bill Richmond is largely unknown to the wider public, but he is one of the most significant sportsmen in history and was one of the most celebrated celebrities of the Georgian era. The fact no biography has ever been devoted to Richmond is startling, for the story of his life and career is a compelling and thrilling tale, played out against the backdrop of a series of significant historical events.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From his humble origins, Richmond, through force of will and personality, fought his way to the top table of British society, ultimately fulfilling an official role at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821. Richmond’s amazing life encompassed encounters and relationships with some of the most prominent men of the age, including the progressive Earl Percy, the writer William Hazlitt, the dissolute Prince Regent and the wild and untameable Lord Camelford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The story of Bill Richmond is not only an incredible tale of personal advancement and triumph, but also the story of a life which was shaped, informed and influenced by a series of turbulent historical events – including the American War of Independence, the fight for black emancipation and Britain’s long-running conflict with the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luke G. Williams’ biography, the first full-length account of Richmond's life, utilises over a decade of research on both sides of the Atlantic, revealing details, sources and new facts about Richmond’s life that have never before been published. In separating myth from fact and legend from reality, for the first time, the full story of Bill Richmond’s life and times is brought gloriously to life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Richmond Unchained</i> will feature illustrated material from the Georgian period, as well as new and exclusive illustrations by acclaimed American artist Trevor Von Eeden.</span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-45225992465225074152014-11-26T19:32:00.002+00:002014-11-26T19:37:45.462+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1: Try before you buy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnJrnG_Scdk4WIy0btCPsaUG5N8n25GNbkmhU1mNPT823p_0Glho611HU3nqUx0gPSnleucq-gGz0QAy0GGJ1MpgVTE0zbZpKUi_fBlPQPp89jbqDt7bwmMOpK5q_LhSZUDo7ROxke4g/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnJrnG_Scdk4WIy0btCPsaUG5N8n25GNbkmhU1mNPT823p_0Glho611HU3nqUx0gPSnleucq-gGz0QAy0GGJ1MpgVTE0zbZpKUi_fBlPQPp89jbqDt7bwmMOpK5q_LhSZUDo7ROxke4g/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana Volume 1- cover illustration by Trevor Von Eeden</i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However you can gain a flavour of each chapter of the book beforehand by clicking on the links below to access the openings of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">all 12 chapters of <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>. Links to some exclusive online extras connected with the book are also listed below.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Hopefully you will like what you read and be persuaded to buy the paperback or ebook version!</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Free extracts:</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-introduction-preview.html" target="_blank">Round 1: Introduction by Luke G. Williams</a></i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-boxing-comics.html" target="_blank">Round 2: Pugilistic comic books come full circle by Luke G. Williams</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-original_29.html" target="_blank">Round 3: The story behind The Original Johnson by Trevor Von Eeden</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-deontay-wilder.html" target="_blank">Round 4: A new hope by Luke G. Williams</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-klitschko.html" target="_blank">Round 5: The Klitschko conundrum by Corey Quincy</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-night-at-fight.html" target="_blank">Round 6: A
night at the fight by Rowland Stone</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-chris-byrd.html" target="_blank">Round 7: Invisible while standing still by Luke G. Williams</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/boxiana-volume-1-preview-this-boxers.html" target="_blank">Round 8: This boxer’s life by Chris Hobbs</a></i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-diary-of-fight.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Round 9: Diary of a fight novice by Mario Mungia</span></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-boxing-afterlife.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Round 10: A boxing afterlife by James Hernandez</span></a></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-preview-for-whom-bell.html" target="_blank">Round 11: For whom the bell tolls by Matthew Ogborn</a></span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/boxiana-volume-1-preview-bare-knuckle.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Round 12: Bare-knuckle grandfather by Ben Williams</span></a></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Exclusive online extras:</i></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-extras-chris-hobbs-photo.html" target="_blank">Chris Hobbs' photo album</a></i></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-vol-1-extras-deontay-wilder.html" target="_blank"><i>Deontay Wilder variant artwork</i></a></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Meet some of our contributors:</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-five-rounds.html" target="_blank">Five rounds with Trevor Von Eeden</a></i></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/boxiana-volume-1-preview-five-rounds.html" target="_blank"><i>Five rounds with Ben Williams</i></a></span></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-volume-1-preview-five-rounds.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Five rounds with Corey Quincy</i></span></a></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><span style="color: #0000f5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-12341236481382682782014-11-26T19:29:00.001+00:002014-11-26T19:31:50.485+00:00Boxiana: Vol. 1 preview: For whom the bell tolls<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZRB-HFnK2OKSP6nXcpyqbd2yTRCrg3KvBnq78pzJlkIZvUjZGstookocQmw-Vev2UxNOoPcvT_ZH8zsD6IgTkPNIfQn186BMrI6UT9g8tHIGShsarcFxvPicpaisXNdIHN0BJK6krn4/s1600/jones434353581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZRB-HFnK2OKSP6nXcpyqbd2yTRCrg3KvBnq78pzJlkIZvUjZGstookocQmw-Vev2UxNOoPcvT_ZH8zsD6IgTkPNIfQn186BMrI6UT9g8tHIGShsarcFxvPicpaisXNdIHN0BJK6krn4/s1600/jones434353581.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is available NOW as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract by Matt Ogborn, in which he looks at the universal questions and dilemmas that all boxers will one day face </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">...</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Round 11<br />
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Matthew Ogborn</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> examines
what happens when the applause dies away and a boxer faces retirement …</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You’re restless. You know there’s only three minutes left. Three poxy
minutes to show the world you can go out on your own terms. You’ve worked too
hard since you first had the gloves laced up for battle to let the opposite
corner send you out arse first on the canvas. You’ve sweated buckets, spilled
blood and spat out teeth. Half of you has had enough, the other half’s pleading
for more. Will anything replace that electric feeling when the last bell tolls?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It’s a question that every boxer faces and one that has dominated fan
conversation since the first boxing trailblazers. Careers tail off, but
legacies can often get stronger if a boxer chooses the right path once the
referee lifts up their arm for the final time. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Undefeated Joe Calzaghe knows more than most the
fine line between the slippery slope of retirement or calling time with a proud
legacy intact. The Welshman, who left the fight game with his head held high as
a pound-for-pound star, once told <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boxing
Monthly</i>: “There are certain things you have to let go. That’s the
difference - the euphoria, the adrenaline, the buzz of it all. There was no
feeling like winning a fight, it’s an amazing feeling. There’s a gap when
that’s gone. It’s difficult for any sportsman to make a transition.”</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sadly, boxing is littered with stories of fighters who careered down the
wrong track after their last fight like an out-of-control train or were led
astray by lowdown vultures out to tear every last scrap off them. We've come to
expect the worst. For every heart-warming story of life after hanging up the
gloves, we get five heartbreaking ones shoved back in our faces. It sells
papers. It shifts magazines. It fuels online discussion. It keeps other ex-pros
in dosh discussing it on TV. Dig a bit deeper, though, and you'll find there
are a great deal more boxers out there we don’t get to hear about who managed
to keep it together and often flourished in retirement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The spotlight is a funny thing. It can make mere mortals feel like they
will live forever. It can turn softly spoken gentlemen into fierce animals with
teeth bared. On the flip side it sometimes reduces boxers to jelly, their legs
dancing to a different tune entirely. Others cower in the corner, afraid to
look up, let alone land a punch of note.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One common thread ties all these fighters together - they've lived,
eaten, slept and breathed the sport since childhood and they rarely carve out careers
outside it once retirement comes around. Some fitted it in around school, some
dropped out altogether to learn the craft, while for some it was the
last-chance saloon after those crucial formative years entrenched in bad
company. Whether fanaticism, boredom or redemption drove these young fighters,
this sport has a habit of getting under your skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Fighter, trainer, promoter, pundit or fan, it’s like
an itch you can’t stop scratching and outsiders wonder why those actually
throwing the punches have a hard time adapting to life when the final curtain
drops down in front of them. British boxing is packed to the rafters with
fighters from all walks of life that thrived, made peace with or struggled on
retirement. Go back the last five years, for starters, and the names of Ricky
Hatton, David Haye and Audley Harrison have dominated the boxing media
landscape in Blighty. Unfortunately for all three, their legacies have been
tarnished by their refusal to deal with or accept the possibility of life
outside the ring.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><i>THE FULL ARTICLE APPEARS IN BOXIANA: VOLUME 1</i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">MATTHEW OGBORN</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> is a regular <i>Boxing Monthly</i> contributor and
veteran all-round sports journalist down the years for <i>ITV</i>, <i>Perform</i>,
<i>SLAM</i>, <i>The Sport Collective</i>, <i>Teletext </i>and <i>Sports.com</i>.
He grew up hearing tales about East End boxing from his family, which sparked a
lifelong love of pugilism that was boosted by the home-grown heroics of
McGuigan, Benn and McKenzie along with the silky skills and warrior mentality
exhibited by foreign fighters such as Hearns, Gatti, Ward, Barrera, Morales and
Trinidad.</span><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8q-vn5gLAqagWy8g8n7bBFPfiVsa13vwu5ZHj1U19FQWdmkhRnN1-ySyAMzKVrInoIyBkwnS1tKBV20gamMsmczgL0WnrJK8kCv-EzzXBnKNVSk8ov2FVed8kKyLXLfDC1HIYhBozf0/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8q-vn5gLAqagWy8g8n7bBFPfiVsa13vwu5ZHj1U19FQWdmkhRnN1-ySyAMzKVrInoIyBkwnS1tKBV20gamMsmczgL0WnrJK8kCv-EzzXBnKNVSk8ov2FVed8kKyLXLfDC1HIYhBozf0/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-46712971087940672222014-11-26T19:13:00.004+00:002014-11-26T19:19:32.947+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: A boxing afterlife<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is available NOW as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract by James Hernandez, in which he speaks to former British and European lightweight champ Jon Thaxton ...</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Round 10<br />
A BOXING AFTERLIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Former British and European
Lightweight champion Jon Thaxton talks to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James
Hernandez</b> about his career in and outside of the ring …</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Saturday April 9 2005. A significant date in the life
of Jon Thaxton. It was the night he was crowned champion of the world, albeit
for the lightly regarded WBF version, in his home city of Norwich. The locals,
many of whom had seen Norwich City famously beat Manchester United 2-0 that
afternoon at Carrow Road, packed out the Norwich Sports Village to see their
gladiator make it a memorable sporting double for Norfolk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">With steel-like intensity there would be no stopping
Thaxton that night. In just one glance you could see a man so focused, so
motivated he had the fight won before the opening bell had sounded. Sitting
ringside I could smell the blood of his opponent, Christophe De Busillet, with
a distinct metal taste in my mouth as ‘Jono’ threw punch after punch, like
relentless North Sea waves pounding against the cliff-tops of Dunkirk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Every punch was finely executed and detonating on
their intended target to perfection. The Norwich boxing fraternity got what
they had come for, as they witnessed their local hero make light work of an
increasingly sorry-looking Frenchman to win inside four rounds. Jubilant scenes
ensued for the triumphant Thaxton and pity for the challenger who returned home
to his native shores a beaten soldier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Fast forward some eight years later and those same
high levels of determination and intensity are still present as I meet up with
Jon at Attleborough ABC, 15 miles south west of Norwich. Jon puts in a special
appearance for the young hopefuls that hope to follow in the footsteps of
Thaxton and make their mark as a professional. His talk is inspiring, engaging
and honest as he talks about what it takes to make it: “Hard work and
dedication, as there are simply no short cuts to stardom in boxing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For 17 years, impressive in itself for such a
punishing sport, Norwich’s boxing hero mixed it with the best of them inside
the ring. He gave it his all. Blood, sweat and tears were exchanged for the
highly coveted Lonsdale belt, which arrived some 14 years after turning
professional in 1992. However, there inevitably comes a time when every boxer
has had his day - the day when the human body just ceases to perform at its
optimum level. It’s every boxer’s worst nightmare; the day they take out the
gum shield one last time and call it quits. Many boxers such as Ken Norton and
Evander Holyfield can’t let go and carry on way past their best, risking
serious injuries for one last payday. Others, like Mike Tyson and Ricky Hatton,
through binge drinking and recreational drugs, go off the rails until they find
who they are outside of the boxing ring. The day when any successful boxer realises
it is over can be one of the most isolated days of a fighter’s life. Once the
boxing stops, there is an enormous void to fill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“That's all they know how and they don't know what
else to do,” says Thaxton. “With me, I was very smart as I built a business
outside of boxing, through things such as team building, working in schools,
motivational workshops. I used my boxing as a tool to get into business.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><i>THE FULL ARTICLE APPEARS IN BOXIANA: VOLUME 1</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">JAMES HERNANDEZ<i> </i></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">became a keen boxing observer while growing up watching the likes of
Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Naseem Hamed on ITV’s <i>The Big Fight Live</i>. A
career in journalism began at his local BBC radio station and has since gone on
to cover a wide range of sports and subjects for a variety of outlets. He has
covered football from grass roots level to the Premier League and from the
world of boxing interviewed amateur boxers all the way through to world
champions. James has previously contributed to <i>BoxRec </i>and is a ringside
reporter for<i> Boxing News</i>, the world’s oldest fight magazine. You can
follow James on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twitter</i>: @BoxingJem</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8q-vn5gLAqagWy8g8n7bBFPfiVsa13vwu5ZHj1U19FQWdmkhRnN1-ySyAMzKVrInoIyBkwnS1tKBV20gamMsmczgL0WnrJK8kCv-EzzXBnKNVSk8ov2FVed8kKyLXLfDC1HIYhBozf0/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8q-vn5gLAqagWy8g8n7bBFPfiVsa13vwu5ZHj1U19FQWdmkhRnN1-ySyAMzKVrInoIyBkwnS1tKBV20gamMsmczgL0WnrJK8kCv-EzzXBnKNVSk8ov2FVed8kKyLXLfDC1HIYhBozf0/s1600/Boxiana+Cover+design.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FURTHER INFORMATION:</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><span style="color: #0000f5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-92120730523635082992014-11-26T18:51:00.000+00:002014-11-26T18:51:41.268+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: A night at the fight<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPtVHEW50vXIxPSDvhOz6O9QpXI4feN92s0y__yA6zOHqQFv3j7H_vWrwajOxiC0s3ziej0igTqjXGajYPIwbv8oUvosGu2otwYN3DTNMBtTmp9cXJ3Wb1rghH_U77VP7enCGW_D__xs/s1600/2082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPtVHEW50vXIxPSDvhOz6O9QpXI4feN92s0y__yA6zOHqQFv3j7H_vWrwajOxiC0s3ziej0igTqjXGajYPIwbv8oUvosGu2otwYN3DTNMBtTmp9cXJ3Wb1rghH_U77VP7enCGW_D__xs/s1600/2082.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></span></a></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is available NOW as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract by Rowland Stone, in which he takes a journey back to a heady night in 1992 at Earl's Court...</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A NIGHT AT THE FIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Rowland Stone </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">recalls a heady night in Earls Court in 1992
when he, and Lennox Lewis, came of age …<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The night
was 31 October 1992. I’d love to say I knew that because it was an evening of
such importance that the date has become branded into my memory. In actual
fact, it’s because I just looked it up on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i>.
However, as anyone that follows boxing will agree, remembering the date is far
less important that remembering the fight. And I had good reason to remember
this one - it was my first ever boxing match as witnessed in the flesh and the
people I’d chosen to pop this particular cherry were Lennox Lewis and Donovan
‘Razor’ Ruddock, in an eliminator that would see the winner go on to fight for
the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Well, that was the plan anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the night
in question, I was only three weeks away from turning 16. A big moment for any
young man, and what better way to celebrate than with a World Heavyweight Championship
eliminator. I don’t remember everything about the night, but I remember some
things starkly. I remember that, because of American TV broadcasts, the fight
wasn’t due to start until the early hours of the morning, at Earl’s Court in
London; I remember that my father had agreed to drive into Central London and
collect myself, and the friend I was attending with, at stupid o’clock in his
Nissan Prairie (he wasn’t usually that generous); And, more than anything, I
remember being nervous about both the outcome of the fight itself and how I would
cope at my first ever boxing match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
background to the fight was interesting. The main cause of concern for me was
that there was absolutely no guarantee at all that Lennox Lewis was going to
win. It seems funny to say it now, knowing what a great champion he was to
become and how he dominated the division for so many years, but at the time, he
was just a callow 27-year-old with a promising but by no means assured future
in the ring ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><i>THE FULL ARTICLE APPEARS IN BOXIANA: VOLUME 1</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">ROWLAND
STONE</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> is a television producer
and director. As a journalist and producer, he spent four years at the BBC
working for their Current Affairs and Consumer Units working with luminaries
ranging from Cherie Blair and Terry Wogan to Adrian Chiles and Phil Tufnell.
His programme credits include ITV's <i>Real
Crime</i> series, BBC’s <i>Watchdog</i>, <i>The Sheriffs Are Coming</i> and <i>The One Show</i>. Before working in
television, he worked at Macmillan publishing and as a print journalist. Always
wanting to be different, he rooted for Chris Eubank in both fights against
Nigel Benn.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-69366518186938356462014-11-24T21:39:00.000+00:002014-11-24T21:39:31.508+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: Diary of a Fight Novice<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is available NOW as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract by Mario Mungia, a promising young boxing writer and broadcaster. Mario's article, in the best traditions of 'participant' journalism, is a revealing diary of his own efforts training in a boxing gym. It's a highly original article which I found both amusing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"> and revealing. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><b>Boxiana: Volume 1 preview</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Round 9<br />
DIARY OF A FIGHT NOVICE<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">When long-time boxing fan <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mario Mungia</b> decided to lace up the
gloves he got more than he bargained for …</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">I’ve
found that boxing fans share one major similarity above all else, namely a
fondness for their majestic introduction to the sport. I think we all have
those associations as fans because boxing is so transcendent and eternal
compared to other spectator sports. It’s easy to buy in to a fighter’s story
and get caught up in the poetic nature of his journey. A fighter can become
immortalized by an entire group of people and the passion shared gets passed
down to sons, daughters, grandkids, etc. It’s the same kind of thing that
happens with religion or political affiliations - the influence becomes as
powerful as the bond it creates.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">My
background is no different, you see; my father was a proud Hispanic man and he
made sure that the culture wasn’t lost on his sons. The problem was my brother
and I were professional wrestling fans and we preferred the talents of Shawn
Michaels and Bret Hart to those of Aaron Pryor and Alexis Argüello. But before
we watched wrestling on Sundays and Mondays we had to watch boxing on
Saturdays. My dad wanted us to learn the value of something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> before we were subjected to the
theatrics of wrestling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
</span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">And it
worked. After some resentment early on, I learned to appreciate boxing,
specifically the fighters. I fell in love with the poetic nature of the sport
and the complexities that surround it. I was fascinated by how something could
be so violent and brutal while simultaneously so methodical and beautiful. Over
the years though, I’ve learned that my philosophies on boxing aren’t generally
reciprocated by those who’ve actually participated in the sport. Most
practitioners take offense when I describe the sport as a “majestic
manifestation of man’s basic instincts,” and liken the brutal onslaught
suffered by each fighter to the “upsetting but necessary laws of nature where
the law of survival of the fittest predominates”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I won’t
say that I’ve never winced at the sight of a large haematoma or grimaced during
the replay of a devastating knockdown, but I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know </i>that those two men wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,
right? They are gladiators and a knockdown is a rite of passage, a
reincarnation of nature’s most primal impulses, nostalgia at the highest level
and, dare I say, a badge of honor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I grew
up with friends who began boxing at an early age and they gave everything they
had to the sport, I respected them on a different level in comparison to my
other peers. But it was an unrequited respect and they were often offended by
my take on the sport. For example, we usually differed over fighters like Floyd
Mayweather Jr. and Pernell Whitaker because I preferred the all-action style of
fights while they had more respect for the craftsmen of the sport. They were
also very defensive about my criticism towards fighters that failed to make
weight. My attitude towards it was that it was inexcusable and unprofessional,
while they argued that making weight is a task that can’t be fully condemned
unless it’s fully understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As the
years have passed I’ve immersed myself in specific literature and particular
authors who have allowed me to further articulate my own feelings on boxing and
better romanticize my viewpoints. I’ve used my education as a means of
authenticity because the one thing I share with fighters is the competitive
factor. Indeed, one could make the argument that in outlook and personality I’m
a down right ‘know-it-all’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Therefore,
after years of pent-up curiosity and upon the suggestion of a colleague - a
fellow boxing scribe - I recently decided to adopt the method used by some of
the greatest writers in history and enroll myself in the subject itself, become
my own comparison. So, for the last two months - 64 days to be exact - I’ve
committed myself to training and learning the sweet science. I’ve documented my
experiences and analyzed my findings to better comprehend the root of my
discretions as they relate to the sport of boxing and its competitors, while
simultaneously testing the average person’s threshold. I’m not an athlete, not
in the slightest, and I felt it was imperative to go through the rigors of at
least a modest training camp because I think we sometimes forget that as
talented as these athletes are they are still human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Day 1:</b></span></div>
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I walked into the gym that day as nervous as I've ever been for anything in my life; I had no idea what to expect and I was worried that my modest physical shape wouldn't suffice...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE APPEARS IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1</b></i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>MARIO MUNGIA</b> </span><span lang="EN-US">is a sweet science enthusiast with a
passion for literature. A writer from Texas, Mario is currently working on his
Liberal Arts degree in English. He began covering boxing in 2012, writing for <i>Sportsforexperts.com</i>. Shortly after, he
was picked up by <i>Thaboxingvoice.com</i>,
where he is a contributor and co-host of a very popular live internet show.
Since 2012, he has contributed to over 12 publications and is a regular
freelancer for another five, including <i>Corpus
Christi Caller Times</i>, <i>Izquierdazo.com</i>,
and <i>Primer Round Magazine</i>, where
Mario is currently a staff writer. As a proud Hispanic, Mario’s cultural
background has fuelled his love for the sport of boxing since he began
following it as a young child, while his respect and dedication to the literary
arts has been the driving force behind his involvement with tutoring young
Hispanic children since 2008.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><span style="color: #0000f5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-4444516651802614682014-11-24T19:12:00.001+00:002014-11-24T19:12:52.838+00:00Boxiana Vol 1 preview: Chris Byrd interview<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Chris Byrd - illustration by Trevor Von Eeden</i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is available NOW as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract from my in-depth interview with Chris Byrd. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><b>Boxiana: Volume 1 preview</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">INVISIBLE WHILE STANDING
STILL<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">American
Chris Byrd was one of the most accomplished and avoided heavyweights of his
generation. Now he’s forging a successful post-ring career as a faith-based
motivational speaker. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke G. Williams</b>
caught up with him for a wide-ranging conversation encompassing faith, family
and his formidable fistic accomplishments ... <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It takes a special talent - or a foolhardiness
bordering on insanity - to stand in front of a heavyweight boxer bigger and
stronger than yourself, let them swing their monster fists at you and rely on a
mixture of guile, speed, reflexes and eyesight to make them miss, before coming
roaring back with rapid flurries of punches of your own. Muhammad Ali famously
did it against George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, but Chris Byrd employed such
tactics for the majority of his career. Jim Lampley, the long-time HBO fight
announcer, once likened Byrd’s tactical approach to being “invisible while
standing still”. It’s an apt metaphor for the criminally under-rated Byrd’s
pugilistic career - for so long the invisible man of the heavyweight division,
Byrd haunted the boxing scene of the 1990s and 2000s like Banquo’s ghost at
Macbeth’s feast, while an array of top heavyweights did their level best to
pretend he didn’t exist. Coupled with his ‘defensive’ style was Byrd’s
reputation for clean living, which meant that, more often than not, the media
gave him a wide berth. “If I’d smacked my wife around, everybody would have
known me,” Byrd once reflected. “The media love it when you do crazy stuff like
that, it would have made me bigger, but I wasn’t like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that Byrd has been retired for five years it seems
an apt time to re-assess his extraordinary talent. Boxing fans love a bar stool
debate, so how about this for a hypothesis: Byrd has a good case to be inducted
into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Whether this statement caused you
to laugh in derision or sagely nod in agreement, consider the supporting
evidence: if any heavyweight deserves the sobriquet of ‘fearless’, then Byrd
does - not only was he willing to fight anyone, anytime, any place <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> anywhere but, in the process, he
twice annexed portions of the World Heavyweight Championship. Byrd’s list of
opponents reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the heavyweight division of the mid-1990s
to mid-‘00s; among his victims, he vanquished the legendary Evander Holyfield
and was one of only two men to ever defeat Vitali Klitschko. By my count, Byrd
fought and defeated 11 men who held or challenged for world titles - Holyfield,
Klitschko, DaVarryl Williamson, Jameel McCline, Fres Oquendo, David Tua, Bert
Cooper, Uriah Grant, Lionel Butler, Phil Jackson and Arthur Williams - while
four of his five defeats were against top or very high quality opposition:
Wladimir Klitschko (twice), Ike Ibeabuchi and Alexander Povetkin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh yes, and Lennox Lewis ducked Byrd, giving up the
IBF belt rather than fighting him. Sure, you can argue all day about whether
Lewis’s motive was purely financial (Don King paid him a million pounds and a
Range Rover to vacate the strap) or whether Lewis simply didn’t fancy trying to
solve the riddle of Byrd’s slick, southpaw style, but you can’t argue with the
fact: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lennox Lewis ducked Chris Byrd.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The clincher for me though regarding Byrd’s ‘Case for
Canastota’ is that he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasn’t even a
heavyweight</i>. Well, not a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">natural</i>
one, not even close in fact; in the amateurs Byrd fought from light-welter up
to middleweight and he started his pro career as a super-middleweight. Yet in
an outwardly insane quest for fistic glory, he cajoled and forced his body into
the heavyweight division, squaring off against gigantic heavyweights, ceding
massive advantages in both size and power in the process. Byrd had no right to
be campaigning at heavyweight, let alone regularly beating viable contenders or
winning world titles in the division. When he fought McCline, for example, Byrd
was outweighed by a jaw-dropping 56lbs and throughout his career as a
heavyweight he rarely weighed above 215. In the heavyweight boxing landscape, he
was David in a land of Goliaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether you agree that Byrd’s Hall of Fame worthy or
not, his achievements are certainly deserving of a substantial re-evaluation.
During his career he shipped much criticism for his ‘defensive’ style, Larry
Merchant even going so far as it to imply it was ‘unmanly’, but re-watch his
contests with the Klitschkos, Holyfield, McCline, Tua <i>et al</i> and Byrd’s bravery, determination, hand speed and ability to
slip punches are simply breathtaking. No wonder that analyst Max Kellerman once
called him “one of the greatest pure boxers in the history of the [heavyweight]
division.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE APPEARS IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1</b></i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><span style="color: #0000f5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-52887797434287413502014-11-24T19:02:00.001+00:002014-11-24T19:02:21.840+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 extras: Deontay Wilder variant artwork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlBXjHdBaWBjRvcpvMGYhyFdVbjjXgRz8QNRrFyLTMzbXAOkfU5jJrtID0yFP9xlbepaeR6qmtqgXIYB9XU5uA9K1mZgHqvcqWD6A6AgRdXzNQoKtB-GE1P08z-qnYArkAGVXXsibd1Q/s1600/Deontay+Wilder+variant+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlBXjHdBaWBjRvcpvMGYhyFdVbjjXgRz8QNRrFyLTMzbXAOkfU5jJrtID0yFP9xlbepaeR6qmtqgXIYB9XU5uA9K1mZgHqvcqWD6A6AgRdXzNQoKtB-GE1P08z-qnYArkAGVXXsibd1Q/s1600/Deontay+Wilder+variant+art.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available NOW through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past few months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive 'extras' relating to content from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which is now available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the extensive features in Volume 1 of <i>Boxiana</i> is an in-depth examination of the career of Deontay Wilder, the USA's great new heavyweight hope. Pictured above is an exclusive portrait of Deontay by the artist Trevor Von Eeden. This portrait ultimately was not used in the book due to the difficulty in accurately rendering Deontay's tattoos from the photo sources we had at our disposal. To see the portrait we <i>did</i> use in the book, you'll have to invest in a copy! Nevertheless, the above portrait does showcase Trevor's artistic skill, as well as show us what Deontay would look like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>without</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> tattoos!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is now available in both paperback and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">In Volume 1:</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and photos for media use are available through the <i>Boxiana</i> blog:<br /><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow <i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span></span></div>
Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-22923353461898251862014-11-03T19:35:00.000+00:002014-11-03T19:35:06.429+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 extras: Chris Hobbs' photo album<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Chris Hobbs as a young boy</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive 'extras' relating to content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99) from 28 November.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />Today's offering is a photographic biography of the boxer Chris Hobbs. A rising light-heavyweight from Southampton, who is undefeated in 6 pro fights, the 27-year-old Chris has had a fascinating life, including a spell in the army. In <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>, Chris has written a fascinating chapter about his life and career - the photos on this page which Crhis has kindly shared with <i>Boxiana</i> are the perfect online visual accompaniment to his article.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9CXqockN5UNtPWpvCTdnfCsIonAj-f_dAd72i-ljMpkb0Ah7doJEWE08Eu9dfbfhrgbQeGtE1jCfyqNPMunC7EhlGK4PRTmvJ-FPZk7f-ebniKcwGUu2phPly4dpe77xShcK5sDX4xI/s1600/me+at+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9CXqockN5UNtPWpvCTdnfCsIonAj-f_dAd72i-ljMpkb0Ah7doJEWE08Eu9dfbfhrgbQeGtE1jCfyqNPMunC7EhlGK4PRTmvJ-FPZk7f-ebniKcwGUu2phPly4dpe77xShcK5sDX4xI/s1600/me+at+14.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris Hobbs aged 14</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-QqWg3G5UHyXxbb0AQdcNobxTXY3H3PCfQVpHWwFPwuwElEdsma1KGXiAs_Il7ORQiFkipzTkcXN9yFvuoYw1r724KivTG7p4jrtQz0pwtp-7Ccs62Nku8eU9kdLtfZZPf2vgLDIFw0/s1600/southampton+abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-QqWg3G5UHyXxbb0AQdcNobxTXY3H3PCfQVpHWwFPwuwElEdsma1KGXiAs_Il7ORQiFkipzTkcXN9yFvuoYw1r724KivTG7p4jrtQz0pwtp-7Ccs62Nku8eU9kdLtfZZPf2vgLDIFw0/s1600/southampton+abc.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris during his Southampton ABC days</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris in the ring</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris serving in Afghanistan</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4kgKzdySSEKQU2XkS0z_a73amHrlE_yos0-FAO4McGVrOcfaZI4obd1Pq_O6hkE2eDBK2ShVfjI5SIxqXc_lepGSiA-hWkFSJtV3tUbc3xvfx2sx03U7rVLWUdtB0XQCPmUoXxfU2Ms/s1600/am+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4kgKzdySSEKQU2XkS0z_a73amHrlE_yos0-FAO4McGVrOcfaZI4obd1Pq_O6hkE2eDBK2ShVfjI5SIxqXc_lepGSiA-hWkFSJtV3tUbc3xvfx2sx03U7rVLWUdtB0XQCPmUoXxfU2Ms/s1600/am+photo+2.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Chris in amateur action</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Chris adopts a fighting pose</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Chris in his army uniform</i></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris in action</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Ouch! Chris has overcome a serious hand injury</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Ouch! (Again!)</i></span></div>
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<strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS HOBBS</span></em></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>CHRIS HOBBS</b> is an undefeated professional light- heavyweight boxer from Southampton. You can follow Chris on <span style="font-style: italic;">Twitter: </span>@chrishobbsboxer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>FURTHER INFORMATION:</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador Publishing, in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">In Volume 1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; line-height: 22px;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and photos for media use are available through the <i>Boxiana</i> blog:<br /><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow <i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span></span></div>
Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-4102923729188958352014-11-02T20:00:00.000+00:002014-11-02T20:00:53.249+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: The Klitschko Conundrum<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Wladimir Klitschko - illustration by Trevor Von Eeden</i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99) from 28 November.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract from Corey Quincy's article about Wladimir Klitschko's reign as World Heavyweight Champion - Corey raises some fascinating points as he examines in an honest and up-front manner Wlad's virtues - and flaws! <a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/boxiana-volume-1-preview-five-rounds.html" target="_blank">You can also read an interview with Corey here.</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 32.0pt;">Corey Quincy</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 32.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> examines the title reign of Wladimir Klitschko and argues that, no
matter how displeasing aesthetically, his story is an inarguable Ukrainian
success story …<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Righting the wrongs of his early career has long been a goal
of Wladimir Klitschko. Once upon a time, the unified Heavyweight
champion's sights were set on mere optimization.
Kneeling to the dastardly truth braced upon his career by Ross Puritty, and
(soon after) Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster through traumatic knockout
defeats would have been a considerable error in judgment, but an understandable
and plausible reaction to that sour time period. The 1996 Super Heavyweight
Olympic Gold Medalist's new status as the punchline to innumerable jokes
created little empathy within the boxing community. As his age progressed and
his fan base shrunk, interest from the masses quickly plummeted. TV networks
lost interest, and he was nearly branded as a domestic-European level boxer who
had failed to make the transition to true world class.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Simultaneously, applicant after applicant for the post-Tyson/
Lewis/ Bowe/ Holyfield heavyweight throne were lined up and, eventually,
knocked down again. Touted US hopefuls such as Joe Mesi, Dominick Guinn, and
oh-so-many more were being showcased like poodles at a dog show by distraught
groups of top promoters sick and tired of scrambling to find their next
cash-grabbing heavyweight freak show. It seemed as though the mine of
heavyweight talent, so rich and abundant in previous decades, was depleted. A
worldwide heavyweight drought had begun. Maybe we just had to live with it; as
rising stars stepped up to the plate in the lower weight classes, the
heavyweight division was conspicuous only by its paucity of talent. Or maybe one
man could return to shake things up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Back at square one, we saw Wladimir's older brother Vitali
Klitschko enter prominence through the early years of the 20th century, and
retire from late 2004 through 2008. Throughout that time period, Wladimir’s
resurgence began. After escaping with a close unanimous decision victory over
Samuel Peter in September 2005, Klitschko continued to ameliorate, busting
Chris Byrd up in seven rounds in their rematch of a meeting six years prior.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The real X-factor was Klitschko’s work with the great
Emmanuel Steward, who molded his well-reputed defensive game and boxing
techniques. The elevation shown by Klitschko was further denoted as the
Ukrainian steamrolled opponent after opponent, including earlier vanquisher
Brewster, Calvin Brock, Sultan Ibragimov, Tony Thompson, Ruslan Chagaev, Eddie
Chambers, and another earlier adversary in Peter, who he battered and stopped
in ten to head up a superb run from 2006-2010. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">And so to today.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Wladimir Klitschko has now been the unified, lineal,
consensual (call it what you will) World Heavyweight Champion for more than
five years and hasn’t lost a fight since 2004. Within the past four years he
has topped his largest threats in the form of previously undefeated Russian
Alexander Povetkin, as well as hard-hitting British superstar and former
Cruiserweight champion David Haye.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Yet, for all his successes and despite an amazing career
ledger, at the time of print, of 62-3 (with 52 knockouts) hypercritical fans
and stubborn mainstream media still won't cease their criticism - and with much
justification. A certain void is still unfilled. A void which has nothing to do
with any characteristics of Klitschko as the living, breathing, human being he
is.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Namely
what we might call ‘The Tyson-factor’.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The heavyweight title fights that have traditionally excited
the collective public imagination are led by a war cry, and not a stiff jab. A
Klitschko mega-bout invariably features a weary young puncher and an immovable
wall - not two men looking to lay it all on the line in a ferocious slug-fest.
Wladimir is by no means boring, not to mention that he is a national icon in
his native Ukraine, but fans want competition, and Klitschko simply cannot
provide that.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1, TO BE PUBLISHED ON 28 NOVEMBER</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>COREY QUINCY</b> is an ambitious boxing writer and avid fan with over three years of experience. Boxing is his bread-and-butter. Watching classic fights is like exploring the most perfect art gallery. Sugar Ray Robinson is his Leonardo Da Vinci, Muhammad Ali his Picasso, and Willie Pep his Michelangelo. Corey, from a rural town in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA, enjoys relaxation, is fascinated by modern innovations and technologies, relishes time with his family, regularly follows Basketball, European Soccer, MMA, and, of course, loves typing his thoughts on pugilism. He’s contributed to FIGHTHYPE.com, Boxing World Magazine, Ringnews24 and Boxiana among many other platforms. You can tweet him @Quincyboxingfan and email him at Coreyg100@yahoo.com. He spends approximately a quarter of his waking moments scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, and reading emails – and he loves to talk before and after each and every fight!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FURTHER INFORMATION:</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana:
Volume 1</i> will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador
Publishing, in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke
G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and
the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de
rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using
long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and
future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a
vital new voice in sports writing.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses
the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand
at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s
bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon
Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising
light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the
military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in
1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko
conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of
Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><span style="color: #0000f5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-18692411122571574262014-11-02T13:19:00.003+00:002014-11-02T13:39:28.490+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 extras: Five rounds with Corey Quincy<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Wladimir Klitschko - illustration by Trevor Von Eeden</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews and 'extras' relating to content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99) from 28 November.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today we interview contributor Corey Quincy, whose thought-provoking feature on Wladimir Klitschko's reign as heavyweight champion was actually the first piece I commissioned for <i>Boxiana</i>! Corey is a highly talented and passionate writer, and I'll be posting a preview of his article later today. Corey's article is accompanied by one of <i>Boxiana</i> illustrator Trevor Von Eeden's fantastic pieces of art - the heavily cropped version shown above doesn't do justice to the final artwork - which you'll have to buy <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> to see!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379">Boxiana goes five rounds with Corey Quincy!</b></span></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Round 1: Can you remember the first boxing match you ever watched?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not quite, to be completely honest. I’ve followed boxing since I can remember. In a way, the sport takes the essence of life with it: desire, skill, power, heart – that’s one of the many reasons I began watching it and will always continue.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 2: Who are your favourite boxers and why?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve always most admired Willie Pep – the Featherweight legend who could win a round without landing a punch! Pep wasn’t a foul-mouthed entertainer, but he had a quick yet somehow florid style that allowed him to beat just about anyone of his era – any era. He had an incredible story too! Julian Jackson is another, but he, however, requires little explanation. His sheer power was something else! Erik Morales was involved in a number of my favorite fights, including his trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera. He had all of the physical attributes as well as the intangibles - all in order. Some others I’d like to point out include Rocky Marciano, Nigel Benn, Roberto Duran, Jersey Joe Walcott, Sam Langford (If only I had a time machine!), and the late Arturo Gatti.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 3: Is boxing morally justifiable?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a boxing writer, I feel obligated to say yes, but I just read about a fourteen-year-old boy losing his life in a boxing match just four or five days ago. When safety gets thrown into play, boxing often looks like a human dogfight.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 4: Time travel has been invented and you are able to match up two fighters from boxing history. Who would they be and why?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">George Foreman Vs Rocky Marciano … for the fans, right?? If not, maybe Harry Greb Vs. Jake LaMotta … two old, old school fighters who would put on a show. This question required a lot of thought.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 5: What achievement or piece of work from your professional life (writing or otherwise) has given you the most satisfaction?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m very proud of my contributions to <i>Boxiana</i>, but, otherwise, my improvement found me the most satisfaction. I wasn’t a boxing writer overnight. My work wasn’t suitable for an internet blog when I first began, now, I’m working with exceptional publications like <i>Boxiana</i>. It’s an honour!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Thanks to Corey for sparring five rounds with Boxiana!</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>COREY QUINCY</b> is an ambitious boxing writer and avid fan with over
three years of experience. Boxing is his bread-and-butter. Watching classic
fights is like exploring the most perfect art gallery. Sugar Ray Robinson is
his Leonardo Da Vinci, Muhammad Ali his Picasso, and Willie Pep his
Michelangelo. Corey, from a rural town in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA,
enjoys relaxation, is fascinated by modern innovations and technologies, relishes
time with his family, regularly follows Basketball, European Soccer, MMA, and,
of course, loves typing his thoughts on pugilism. He’s contributed to FIGHTHYPE.com,
Boxing World Magazine, Ringnews24 and Boxiana among many other platforms. You
can tweet him @Quincyboxingfan and email him at Coreyg100@yahoo.com. He spends approximately
a quarter of his waking moments scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, and
reading emails – and he loves to talk before and after each and every fight!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Boxiana: Volume 1</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955"><span style="color: blue;">Troubador Publishing</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the UK</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the USA</span></a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">FURTHER INFORMATION:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #272727; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador Publishing, in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / <a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and photos for media use are available through the <i>Boxiana</i> blog:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><i><span style="color: windowtext;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></i></a><i>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Follow <i><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-10268705692125903782014-10-27T14:39:00.002+00:002014-11-02T13:39:39.566+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 extras: Five rounds with Ben Williams<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews and 'extras' relating to content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99) from 28 November.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today we interview contributor Ben Williams, whose interview with his mother about his grandfather, who was a bare knuckle boxer, is one of the most personal and poignant articles in <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>. <a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/boxiana-volume-1-preview-bare-knuckle.html" target="_blank">You can read a preview of Ben's article here.</a></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9380" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379">Boxiana goes five rounds with Ben Williams!</b></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9380" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379"><i>Ben Williams</i></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9380" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9380" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9379">Round 1: Can you remember the first boxing match you ever watched?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boxing was always on the television when I went to visit my grandfather, so it would be impossible to say what the first match I saw was, or who it was between. I suppose it would have been late Seventies or early Eighties though. We watched a lot of boxing, wrestling, and war films!</span></div>
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<div class="yiv5938334771gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9385">
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9384" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9383">Round 2: Who are your favourite boxers and why?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, that's tough. Easy to go for the obvious, knee-jerk answer, but honestly I'm going to say Jack Dempsey because his life was so fascinating. From such difficult beginnings he went on to achieve a level of success and stardom that at the time was almost unheard of. He overcame the controversy of his supposed loaded gloves and draft-dodging, both of which were proved to be false. When defeat came, he was gracious and self-deprecating.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9386" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marcel Cerdan is another boxer who fascinates me. A brilliant boxer with an impressive record, he also was a romantic and was well known for his affair with Edith Piaf. His last fight saw him comprehensively defeated by Jake LaMotta and before he could face him in a re-match, he tragically died in a plane crash.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 3: Is boxing morally justifiable?</b></span></div>
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<div class="yiv5938334771gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9389">
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9388" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How is it not? I'm not really sure I understand the moral question here. It's a sport between two men who have willingly stepped into the ring, who know the dangers and risks involved. We take those kinds of risks everyday. No-one's forcing them to box. Perhaps I just don't see the moral dilemma.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Round 4: Time travel has been invented and you are able to match up </b></span><b style="color: #333333;">two fighters from boxing history. Who would they be and why?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This might sound ludicrous, but if time travel has been invented, then foreseeably I could get one boxer to fight himself. Let's put Muhammad Ali in the ring with Cassius Clay Jr. It'd be an interesting fight. Take a 22-yr-old Clay and pitch him against a 30-something Ali. Youth vs. experience. Wouldn't that be something? </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Round 5: What achievement or piece of work from your professional life </span><span style="color: #333333;">(writing or otherwise) has given you the most satisfaction?</span></span></b></div>
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<div class="yiv5938334771gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9407">
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9406" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From my professional life? Well, that's difficult to say. I was very happy to be in a cinema and see one of my trailers played before the main feature for the first time. It's very cool to hear Voiceover Man saying the words you wrote. Otherwise I'd say it was when I finished my first feature script. After all of the research, planning, and solid writing, finishing that script was extremely satisfying. </span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9406" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1414420168720_9406" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Thanks to Ben for sparring five rounds with Boxiana!</i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>BEN WILLIAMS</b> first got into boxing as a boy when his grandfather - a former professional boxer - would playfully spar with him. He has been a fan of the sport ever since. Today, he is a freelance journalist, writing primarily for luxury sector magazines and working with clients such as Aston Martin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Anthony Sinclair bespoke tailors. He also writes documentaries, short films and treatments, and has helped develop a number of feature films. He has written a number of feature film trailers, including those for Studio Ghibli’s <i>Arrietty</i>, and Luc Besson’s <i>Adele Blanc-Sec</i>.Ben is also the UK correspondent for <i>Mi6 Confidential</i> magazine, which celebrates the phenomenon of James Bond. He maintains the blog <u><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://doubleonothing.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">doubleonothing.wordpress.com</a></span></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Boxiana: Volume 1</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955"><span style="color: blue;">Troubador
Publishing</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the UK</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon in the USA</span></a> and
all good traditional and online booksellers.</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well
as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on
the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">FURTHER INFORMATION:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #272727; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana:
Volume 1</i> will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador
Publishing, in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke
G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and
the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de
rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using
long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and
future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a
vital new voice in sports writing.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">In Volume 1:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses
the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand
at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s
bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon
Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising
light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the
military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in
1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko
conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of
Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #272727;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / <a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and photos
for media use are available through the <i>Boxiana</i> blog:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><i><span style="color: windowtext;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></i></a><i>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434;">Follow <i><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal">@boxianajournal</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-35045144994114204392014-10-26T16:01:00.003+00:002014-11-02T13:39:47.316+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: This Boxer's Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyRguCg-tvdyBpATklNUxrEVmAka_6EMXfkRuh5F7A25_ESy-hknkkr7mdDeOXXjqi0vKKSGdOpg3V_V9-uN9i-iJU1lzs2e9QVP2WXP1zgpwagMrJoK1fK_nrs5veHpQXYXZoEZ9Ewg/s1600/am+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyRguCg-tvdyBpATklNUxrEVmAka_6EMXfkRuh5F7A25_ESy-hknkkr7mdDeOXXjqi0vKKSGdOpg3V_V9-uN9i-iJU1lzs2e9QVP2WXP1zgpwagMrJoK1fK_nrs5veHpQXYXZoEZ9Ewg/s1600/am+photo.jpg" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chris Hobbs turns from fighting to writing in Boxiana Volume 1</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">Over the past couple of months, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP £3.99) from 28 November.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />Today I'm presenting an extract from the eighth chapter of <i>Boxiana Volume 1</i>, written by boxer Chris Hobbs in which he describes his life and background. A rising light-heavyweight from Southampton, who is undefeated in 6 pro fights, the 27-year-old Chris has had a fascinating life, including a spell in the army.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I was absolutely delighted when Chris offered to write a piece for <i>Boxiana</i> as I was keen to have the views of boxers themselves featured in the volume. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">In dealing with Chris I came to discover that he is a total gent as well as extremely gracious and down to earth. In a lovely gesture, Chris asked that I didn't pay him for his work - but instead made a donation to a forces charity, which I duly did.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was born in Southampton on 22 July 1987. My mum is from Yorkshire and I do not know my real dad; all I know of him is that he was Jamaican. I was raised by my mum and a stepfather who, to be honest, was like a real dad to me. I grew up with my two sisters and a brother. We never had a lot growing up in terms of material possessions, but that is no different to a lot of people out there. My parents tried as hard as they possibly could to put food on the table and they always made sure we had happy and fun Christmases.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There was a lot of tough love from my dad. Yes, we were like best mates but he was also very big on discipline. As he saw it, I was a black kid in a white family so I would potentially endure a lot of problems growing up – therefore I needed to be tough. To be fair I was quite naughty as a youngster. If it wasn’t for the discipline of my family, I would have probably ended up in jail.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From a boxing point of view, I was inspired from about the age of seven. Typically, like many other youngsters, I watched the Rocky movies, and they fired my passion and imagination. Everyone in my family who had talent to do with sport was football related, but I had two left feet, as they say, and never really liked football until about the age of 15. I was finally allowed to box for the first time at the age of 11 when I turned up at the Eastpoint Centre where Southampton ABC trained. Terry Tew was the guy who was training the kids at the club. Strangely enough, he had actually seen me growing up; his mother-in-law lived behind my house so he had seen me around. The training was a real shock to me; it was so hard I couldn’t believe it, but I was determined. Very determined. I had no natural ability at all – bad footwork, poor timing – the lot! All I had been used to was scrapping in the playground and at that age I wasn’t even good at that!<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my second week at Eastpoint I sparred for the first time. Even though I didn’t do brilliantly I loved it. I managed to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">survive against kids with much more experience than me and realised I was naturally tough. However, during my first year at the club I wasn’t totally dedicated; I was there some weeks but then I wouldn’t be there again the next week. It took me two-and-a-half years before I knuckled down enough to actually be ready for a fight. The week before my first fight I was taken to Waterlooville boxing club for a sparring session to see if I was ready. Being in a new environment was daunting, but I did very well against a boy who later became a pro, who is now my gym-mate (Ryan Moore) although he doesn’t remember it! We were actually meant to fight each other as our first fight but I was too heavy when the fight came around!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0.1pt;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first amateur fight was in Leigh Park Leisure Centre. The nerves were unbelievably bad. In fact, the nerves before any fight for me are horrible. When the bell rings the nerves leave me, but the actual waiting is horrendous. My first fight was against a guy called Billy Calcot who sadly I heard died in a motorcycle accident a few years later. I don’t remember a lot about my first fight other than being so tired in round two that I couldn’t keep my hands up and my chest was on fire, due to the smoking that was allowed in venues back then! I remember I made him take a count in the third round but I was so tired I slumped into the corner. The ref stopped the count to make me get off the ropes! After that fight I knew I needed to train harder and be fitter; every fight is all about learning. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway I lost that fight and also lost a rematch a week later (a fight most people thought I won). I got my first win in my third fight, that was followed by a few more wins and a few more losses. But I was always learning and all my opponents always said I was tough and they didn’t enjoy fighting me. I lost one fight to a guy in Swindon and I went to his changing room after only to see him being taken to hospital with concussion, in contrast I felt fine!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1, TO BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER</b></i></span></span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS HOBBS</span></em></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>CHRIS HOBBS</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12pt;">is an undefeated professional light- heavyweight boxer from Southampton. You can follow Chris on </span><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Twitter: </span><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12pt;">@chrishobbsboxer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>FURTHER INFORMATION:</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">An anthology of new boxing writing <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador Publishing, in both paperback book and eBook formats. <i>Boxiana</i> editor <b>Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at boxing’s past, present and future, we are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will become a vital new voice in sports writing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">In Volume 1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">, author of graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"><a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Previews of <i>Volume 1</i> content and photos for media use are available through the <i>Boxiana</i> blog:<br /><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Follow <i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">@boxianajournal</span></a></i></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-78768573286188233072014-10-26T13:47:00.004+00:002014-10-26T13:47:47.115+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 nears publication
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">BOXIANA:
VOLUME 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">New anthology of boxing writing
to be published in November<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">Exclusive interviews with</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">heavyweight
sensation Deontay Wilder,</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">former champion Chris Byrd feature</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">New illustrations and Jack
Johnson article</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">by comic-book legend Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;">also
among content</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">LONDON, UK:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> An anthology
of new boxing writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boxiana: Volume 1</i>
will be published on 28 November 2014 through Matador Publishing, in both
paperback book and eBook formats. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boxiana</i>
editor <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke G. Williams</b> said: “In a
world dominated by 140 character limits and the 24-hour news cycle, brevity and
superficiality have become de rigueur. <i>Boxiana</i> takes a
different approach; by using long-form journalism to take an in-depth look at
boxing’s past, present and future, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">we
are hoping that <i>Boxiana</i> will</span> become a vital new voice in sports
writing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In Volume 1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Trevor Von Eeden</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, author of graphic novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Original Johnson</i>, analyses the
significance of Jack Johnson; <b>Mario Mungia</b> tries his hand at
amateur boxing; <b>Ben Williams</b> uncovers his grandfather’s
bare-knuckle career; <b>James Hernandez</b> catches up with Jon
Thaxton; <b>Matthew Ogborn</b> ponders boxers and retirement; rising light
heavyweight <b>Chris Hobbs</b> recounts his life in the military and
the ring; <b>Rowland Stone</b> recalls a heady night in 1992; <b>Corey
Quincy</b> attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and <b>Luke
G. Williams</b> examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the
under-rated career of Chris Byrd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Enquiries / review copies: +44 7958 319765 / </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="mailto:lgw007@yahoo.com"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">lgw007@yahoo.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Previews of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Volume 1</i> content and photos for media
use are available through the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boxiana</i>
blog:<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>p/boxiana-volume-1-downloads.html</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-15233306329132484492014-09-23T20:10:00.001+01:002014-11-02T13:39:56.711+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: Bare-knuckle Grandfather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span>Ben Williams' grandfather, Charlie Sparrowhawk, strikes a fighting pose</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">Over the past few weeks, this blog has been featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP TBC).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />Today I'm presenting an extract from the final chapter of <i>Boxiana Volume 1</i>, written by Ben Williams, in which Ben interviews his mother, Christine Sparrowhawk, about her father, the bare-knuckle fighter Charlie Sparrowhawk. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Through Christine's detailed and fascinating memories, a bygone era of local fairs, boxing booths, and underground bare-knuckle bouts is brought to vivid life. It's a fascinating interview, which also provides some wonderful insights into Romany culture. It's the sort of 'oral history' which is, to my mind, vital in terms of preserving the memory of boxing's rich and varied past.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16pt;">BARE-KNUCKLE GRANDFATHER</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><i>Ben Williams has always been fascinated by his family’s stories of his bare-knuckle boxing grandfather. So he decided to sit down with his mother, Christine Sparrowhawk, and get the lowdown on her father, Charlie Sparrowhawk, and cousin, Len Sparrowhawk, who used to box at the legendary Mitcham Fair in the 1960s …</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Ben Williams: Can you tell me a little about Charlie?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Christine Sparrowhawk: </b>My father was a Romany and he would never work for anybody. However hard up he was, he was rich, because he was a man, and he was his own man. He would never take orders from anyone, he never borrowedmoney, and he always felt that he owned the world. And he did, because he didn’t live conventionally like other people with their 9-5 world. He was free, but also managed to bring up a family; three girls and a boy. He lived on his wits and he could make money out of anything. His philosophy – and it’s kept me going through life – was 'if you make money your master, you will be its slave. But if you let money go, it will grow.' He was so generous, the most generous of people.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>CS:</b> </i>When I was growing up, my dad was very different and my grandparents were very different. My mother’s parents were quite smart and they thought she had married very much beneath her into my father’s family. My father’s family were the Sparrowhawks and they were from Mitcham. Every year there was a fair. The Mitcham Fair was old fashioned in a way. You can’t imagine it now. The fairground was beginning to get a bit modern, but the fair still had old-fashioned sideshows like the bearded lady and that sort of thing. Anyway, part of Mitcham Fair was a boxing ring and it was a big ring and they would stand outside and tote for people to come in and bare-knuckle fight. My father used to do it because it was a good way of earning money but also it helped your status within the social circle where he lived in London.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><b><i>BW: Can you remember what these fights were like?</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><b><i>CS:</i></b> I can remember going to watch him fight, I can remember holding my big sister’s hand as we channelled into this huge marquee tent that had a proper boxing ring and big lights. All the motes of sawdust would catch in the light and all the crowd would roar – they were very unruly. It was terrifying and I held on to my sister’s hand throughout. I had the worry of watching our dad come out. He was a very, very good fighter and he’d been professionally trained at a boxing school in Mitcham, but he also used to drink, of course, so he’d have a few tots before. Then out he went into the ring. And there was real blood; I mean they’d go at it hammer and tongs – the sawdust was stained with blood ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1, TO BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER</b></i></span></span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN WILLIAMS</span></em></strong><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>BEN WILLIAMS</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
first got into boxing as a boy when his grandfather - a former professional
boxer - would playfully spar with him. He has been a fan of the sport ever
since.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today, he is a freelance journalist, writing primarily
for luxury sector magazines and working with clients such as Aston Martin,
Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Anthony Sinclair bespoke tailors.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He
also writes documentaries, short films and treatments, and has helped develop a
number of feature films. He has written a number of feature film trailers,
including those for Studio Ghibli’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arrietty</i>,
and Luc Besson’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adele Blanc-Sec</i>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ben
is also the UK correspondent for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mi6
Confidential</i> magazine, which celebrates the phenomenon of James Bond. He
maintains the blog </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><u><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://doubleonothing.wordpress.com/">doubleonothing.wordpress.com</a></span></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is an anthology of never before published boxing writing and takes an in-depth look at the sport’s past, present and future. Original, startling and thought-provoking, Boxiana examines pugilistic themes, characters and issues ranging from the personal to the universal, combining exclusive interview material with meticulous research. The book’s fresh approach will both intrigue and delight all serious followers of boxing.<br /><br /><b>Featured in Volume 1:</b> comic book legend Trevor Von Eeden analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; Mario Mungia tries his hand at amateur boxing; Ben Williams uncovers his grandfather’s bareknuckle boxing career; Matthew Ogborn considers the issues boxers face on retirement; James Hernandez catches up with Jon Thaxton; rising light heavyweight Chris Hobbs recounts his life in the military and the ring; Rowland Stone recalls a heady night in 1992; Corey Quincy attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and Luke G. Williams examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No other boxing anthology can match <i>Boxiana</i>’s eclectic range of subject matter, or its in-depth examination of issues and characters from boxing’s past, present and future.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Luke G. Williams</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Editor</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal" target="_blank">@boxianajournal</a></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-85640020396178843252014-08-29T11:23:00.002+01:002014-11-02T13:40:38.180+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: The Original Johnson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">Over the next few weeks, this blog will be featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP TBC).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />Today I'm continuing the 'boxing comics' theme of several previous posts by presenting an extract from the third chapter of <i>Boxiana Volume 1</i>, written by Trevor Von Eeden which examines Trevor's motivation for the creation of his Jack Johnson graphic novel <em>The Original Johnson</em>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />Trevor's article is a heartfelt, provocative and fiercely intelligent analysis of American history, and Jack Johnson's significance within it. It's a unique and highly creative piece of writing which I absolutely adore, and hope you all will too! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">To accompany this extract, Trevor has also kindly supplied <em>Boxiana</em> with some stunning scans of original artwork from <em>The Original Johnson</em>, as well as some previously unseen examples 0f alternate artwork, including a fabulous cover concept which spins the cliché of the 'great white hope' into the 'great black hope'.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;">For more info on Trevor click <a href="http://boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-five-rounds.html" target="_blank">here</a> for <em>Boxiana</em>'s interview with him and <a href="http://boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/boxiana-volume-1-preview-boxing-comics.html" target="_blank">here</a> for an extract from our article on boxing-themed comics.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />As I publish further previews from the anthology in the coming weeks and days, hopefully you'll conclude that <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be worth purchasing. If not, then at the very least I hope you enjoy the free sneak peeks and other blog posts! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Anyway, that's enough of the hard sell, here's the latest preview - which consists of the a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">1,000 word passage of what is a 6,o00 word feature. Enjoy!</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Round 3<br /> THE STORY BEHIND ‘THE ORIGINAL JOHNSON’<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Renowned comic-book artist <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trevor Von Eeden</b> explains the philosophy and intentions behind his graphic novel masterpiece ‘The Original Johnson’, which tells the story of the pioneering heavyweight legend Jack Johnson …</span></i></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Jack Johnson was the son of a slave - a man who had been reduced, in the country of his own birth, to the vile degradation of existing as a human being without humanity; a human being without freedom, individuality, dignity, hope - or originality. A human being without any form of reality, whatsoever. A human being with only a memory - of the painful, indisputable, irrefutable, irrevocable fact of his own individual existence, his own personal, inner reality - his own humanity. Living in a world dedicated to fear, hatred, hypocrisy, and above all - conformity. A world now and forever closed and opposed to the simple, self-evident fact of his own reality.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />How does a human being not go mad, in a circumstance such as that? Is it possible? Was it possible to be a slave in Early America, and not go insane - eventually? Apparently, from the writings and testimonies of those fortunate few who managed to somehow survive the horrible institution, it was indeed possible. But, oh - what courage it must have taken! True freedom begins in the mind of the individual, and the man that Jack had as a role model in his father must have been a man of extraordinary courage, intelligence, and dignity, to have raised such a son. We’ll never know - but what we do know is that Jack made of himself a genuine hero, a legend - and a creature of inevitable myth. But as a real, live, flesh and blood person - with a childhood, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and fears, just like you and me - Jack has never been a part of the public consciousness. His legend has taken on a mythic status, as if he were a creature of fiction like John Henry, the black ‘steel-drivin’ man’ who died competing against a soulless machine in a contest of railroad track laying.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">But Jack Johnson was REAL - and he didn’t die, nor lose, in a contest against the soulless machine that was the world of his day and time - he WON! And he thrived spectacularly, conquering that world single-handedly, again and again, until he chose to end the battle - on his terms. Unfortunately, for the past hundred years or so, his story has been almost exclusively told by the very same people whom he had conquered - and although the indisputable greatness of his unique and unprecedented achievements is such that no distortion of the actual facts of his accomplishments was possible - it was still indeed possible to present a partialized portrait of his personality, life, and character to the public in diluted and selectively constructed form enough to essentially trivialize, marginalize, vilify, and ‘niggerize’ this great man’s memory - especially in the minds of his own people. The simple (or simple-minded) reasoning behind that being so that no others of his ‘ilk’ (i.e: color) would be able to potentially follow in his footsteps, by figuring out exactly how and what he’d done, then doing it themselves. The ‘Great White Hope’ was that black people in America would never realize the potential inherent in their own humanity - period.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Jack Johnson’s entire life and being were a direct refutation and serious threat to that singularly cowardly and corrupt intention. So for the past century, Jack’s actual humanity has been either glossed over, or ignored. Unfathomable mystery became another part of his myth, and legend - he became an official global anomaly, instead of a man of courage who had conquered the forces of an inhuman evil, simply by standing up for his own humanity. What he’d done was extraordinary, no doubt - but absolutely far beyond the abilities of lesser mortals, like your average black American ... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing in Jack’s legend (as created and perpetuated for four score and twenty years and more, by the same racist culture he’d fought against all his life) that anyone could possibly identify with as a normal, black human being, and say, “Hey, I know how he did that - and I can do it too!” A big reason for that being, of course, that the racist reporters of his day actually didn’t know themselves how he’d done ‘it’ to begin with!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Jack succeeded in his battle against Racism simply because he, himself, was not a racist - how can one really expect people born and raised in an overtly, proudly racist country like early America to understand, much less accept that fact? A man ahead of his time is always just that … In the hands of his enemies, Jack’s very greatness became the means of his diminishment, especially in the minds of the people he truly represented - the oppressed, underprivileged, ignored, and downtrodden - in any society. The poor, huddled masses, as some call them ... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But some truths remain alive in memory, despite every effort to erase, bury, or modify them, and Jack Johnson represented - and will always represent - HUMAN FREEDOM. The only way to defeat racism is with humanity, and Jack lived, exemplified, and applied that doctrine to every facet of his life and personality. It showed in his genial, generous, good-natured character, and was the reason the man enjoyed his life to its zenith. He was free of anyone else’s definition of himself but his own. Jack’s clearly stated p.o.v. on Racism was: “I treat people as if race doesn’t exist” - this profoundly revealing statement is not one of denial, but of dismissal - of the inherently divisive, bogus, and cowardly tenet of Racism itself. But no one of his time understood what he meant, and here in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, we’re only now beginning to catch up to this extraordinary man’s exemplarily original - and TRUE - point of view.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">How did Jack do it? How did he conquer an entire racist world? How did he create and live a life that no-one else had ever even conceived of before - and enjoy the minutes, hours, days, and years of a life spent right in the midst of his enemies? Easy … he loved his fellow man - and was completely free of their own, self-inflicted fears.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1, TO BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER</b></i></span></span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">ALL ARTWORK COURTESY OF TREVOR VON EEDEN</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>TREVOR VON EEDEN</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> was born on July 24th, 1959, in Georgetown, Guyana (formerly British Guiana) - the only English speaking country in South America. He came to America with his family in 1970. In 1976, at age 17, he became DC Comics’ first black artist - and the youngest they'd ever hired. His first assignment was to co-create their first original black superhero, <i>Black Lightning</i> (the black GL knock-off, John Stewart, had debuted shortly before.) BL is still alive and well in the DC Comics Universe.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Over the years, Trevor has also received favorable acclaim for his work on <i>Powerman/ Ironfist</i> #56-59 (1979); <i>The Batman Annual</i> #8 (1982); <i>The Green Arrow</i> mini-series (1983); the cult favorite, <i>Thriller</i> (1983-85); <i>The Black Canary</i> mini-series and subsequent regular series (1990-1993) and <i>Legends of The Dark Knight</i> #149-153 (2001) - his last work for DC Comics, to date. His first self-written/drawn graphic novel <i>The Original Johnson</i>, the story of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, was released in December 2009 to generally positive acclaim from fans and critics alike. A quote from the <i>New York Times</i> Book Review graces both covers of the two volume paperback set.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Trevor is currently at work on his second book, <i>The Story of HERU: The First Hero</i>, and resides in the Gun Hill Road section of the Upper Bronx. He is single, lives alone, and enjoys his own company quite a bit. When it comes to sex, he likes women - but infinitely prefers them to be smart, rather than dumb. A good wife would be helpful - but not mandatory - for achieving happiness and peace of mind in life.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">He has no major complaints nor regrets to report.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>FURTHER INFORMATION:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is an anthology of never before published boxing writing and takes an in-depth look at the sport’s past, present and future. Original, startling and thought-provoking, Boxiana examines pugilistic themes, characters and issues ranging from the personal to the universal, combining exclusive interview material with meticulous research. The book’s fresh approach will both intrigue and delight all serious followers of boxing.<br /><br /><b>Featured in Volume 1:</b> comic book legend Trevor Von Eeden analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; Mario Mungia tries his hand at amateur boxing; Ben Williams uncovers his grandfather’s bareknuckle boxing career; Matthew Ogborn considers the issues boxers face on retirement; James Hernandez catches up with Jon Thaxton; rising light heavyweight Chris Hobbs recounts his life in the military and the ring; Rowland Stone recalls a heady night in 1992; Corey Quincy attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and Luke G. Williams examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No other boxing anthology can match <i>Boxiana</i>’s eclectic range of subject matter, or its in-depth examination of issues and characters from boxing’s past, present and future.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Luke G. Williams</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Editor</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/">www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal" target="_blank">@boxianajournal</a></span></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-38010718402578626982014-08-25T10:49:00.000+01:002014-11-26T19:34:30.823+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 preview: A New Hope<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Over the next few weeks, this blog will be featuring a series of exclusive previews of content from <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP TBC).</span><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Today I'm presenting an extract from the fourth chapter of <i>Boxiana Volume 1</i>, written by myself, which examines rising heavyweight Deontay Wilder. The article is an in-depth look at Deontay's career so far, his background and the team surrounding him. The article features interviews with Deontay himself, his manager Jay Deas and the other members of his 'Bomb Squad' team - Mark Breland, Russ Anber and Cuz Hill.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">With Deontay in line for a mandatory shot against WBC Heavyweight Bermane Stiverne in the next few months, hopefully you'll find it a timely article as we wait to see whether he can make the step up to World Championship level. I think Deontay's got what it takes and is the most exciting heavyweight in the world right now - only time will tell if I'm right!</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">As I publish further previews from the anthology in the coming weeks and days, hopefully you'll conclude that <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be worth purchasing. If not, then at the very least I hope you enjoy the free sneak peeks and other blog posts!</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Anyway, that's enough of the hard sell, here's the latest preview - which consists of the first </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">1,000 words of what is a mammoth 6,o00 word feature. Enjoy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><b>Boxiana: Volume 1 preview</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Round 4<o:p></o:p></b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A NEW HOPE<o:p></o:p></b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><b>Luke G. Williams</b></i><i> was recently given extensive access to
America’s great heavyweight hope Deontay Wilder and the team surrounding him.
After hearing what they have to say, he assesses the possibility that the
‘Bronze Bomber’ is the saviour heavyweight boxing has been waiting for …<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They say that you can measure the state of
professional boxing by the strength and profile of the heavyweight division. If
that’s true, then the sport is currently on life support. Wladimir Klitschko,
in all his robotic glory, bestrides the division - master of all he surveys,
with a series of increasingly hapless victims having prostrated themselves at
his feet. Klitschko has made noises about trying to extend his reign until the
age of 50 but, Eastern Europe and the boxing cognoscenti apart, no one really
cares - he may be a master at winning, as a decade-long unbeaten streak proves;
he may even be a master pugilist, as his incredible determination to maximise
his strengths and neutralise his weaknesses illustrates, but his inability to
engage or excite the casual sports fan or wider public, particularly in
America, has left heavyweight boxing in desperate need of a new face to
re-establish the pre-eminence of the World Heavyweight Championship as the most
prestigious honour in sport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Deontay Leshun Wilder could be that new face. The
saviour. The new hope. The next ‘big thing’. His professional record as of
September 2014 certainly evokes excitement and infers a propensity for
violence; in 32 bouts, Wilder has never been past four rounds, and every single
opponent he has faced has been knocked out, many of them savagely so, left in a
heap with their limbs twitching and bodies convulsing and contorting in
concussive pain. Now that he is on the verge of challenging for a world title,
Wilder is in the unenviable position of carrying the burden of America’s
heavyweight hopes on his broad, tattooed shoulders. If a charismatic,
photogenic and engaging man like Wilder can become World Heavyweight Champion …
if he can buck the recent dominance of eastern European heavyweights … if he
can unify the belts in an exciting style, sending the top contenders sprawling
to the canvas ... then maybe, just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe</i>,
he could revitalise boxing’s popularity, which has been under siege from a
confluence of factors already too well-rehearsed and discussed to recite again.
A series of ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ aren’t much to hang the future of a sport on,
but sometimes boxing fans have to cling to whatever hope they can find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The Appalachians are a vast series of mountains,
ridgelines and valleys, that stretch a majestic 1,500 miles through the east of
North America, from the island of Newfoundland in the north to the heart of the
southern state of Alabama. The vast swathes of broad and needle-leaf trees that
characterise the flora of much of the region have borne silent witness to
centuries of bloodshed, struggle and violence; from the cultural clashes
between the first European colonists and the native Americans, to the American
War of Independence, American Civil War and the Civil Rights struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Tuscaloosa, the fifth largest city in the state of
Alabama, is located in the foothills of the Appalachians. Like many towns and
cities across America, its history sums up many of the maddening contradictions
of the American dream. It was in Tuscaloosa, on 11 June 1963, that Governor
George Wallace stood in front of the entrance to the University of Alabama in
an attempt to maintain segregation at the University by blocking the entry and enrolment
of black students Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood. It was also near to the
site of modern-day Tuscaloosa that, in 1540, the Spanish Conquistador Hernando
de Soto was ambushed by members of the Mobilian tribe, led by one Chief
Tuskaloosa, a fearsome warrior who was said to be so much taller than the
Spanish that “he seemed a giant”. After a bitter and bloody battle lasting nine
hours, the Spanish emerged triumphant, although Chief Tuskaloosa’s bravery was
not forgotten, with later settlers naming the town in his honour, as well as
the river that ran through it, which was termed the ‘Black Warrior’ river, a
nod to the meaning of the chief’s name when translated from Choctaw.
Interestingly enough, the Gentleman of Elvas’ description of chief Tuskaloosa
in 1557 pretty neatly summarises the qualities of a great heavyweight champion:
“Full of dignity … tall of person, muscular lean and symmetrical … Equally
feared by his vassals and the neighbouring nations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">It somehow seems appropriate that Tuscaloosa is the
birthplace and home of Deontay Wilder, for the heavyweight division has long
been looking for a ‘warrior’ to curb the Klitschko brothers’ monotonous
dominance. After the false dawns represented by the likes of Michael Grant,
Seth Mitchell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">et al</i>, and given
Wilder’s untested chin and occasionally wild style, many sceptics scoff at the
notion that he is the prodigal son the sport has been waiting for. But,
interviewing Deontay himself and the team who surround him, a compelling case
emerges that Wilder is the real deal, and that the Heavyweight Championship of
the World isn’t merely his dream, but his destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Although Wilder has admitted that he possessed a
youthful tendency to get involved in street scraps, it would be inaccurate to
characterise his upbringing as misspent or dysfunctional, in the way that, say,
Mike Tyson’s was. “M</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">y childhood was
good,” he confesses, an unusual but refreshing admission to elicit from a
boxer, given how regularly the sport’s participants proudly parade their stories
of a misspent or deprived youth. “I had good teachers in school who
cared; I was taught right from wrong. I learned to respect people and
to expect people to respect me. I learned to not to be a fool.
Alabama is a great place to raise a family; you can live here and not
worry about too much. I still live here and would recommend it to
anyone. I've had opportunities to move but I don't want to; this is
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
To paraphrase the classic plot device from Orson Welles’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Citizen Kane</i>, there was a ‘Rosebud’ moment for Wilder - in other
words, a moment that explains and puts into context everything that he has
achieved, strived for and focused on since. For Wilder, that moment was the
birth of his daughter Naieya on 20 March 2005. X-rays soon after revealed a
hole in Naieya’s spine and she was subsequently diagnosed with the
developmental disorder spina bifida. “Naieya is my inspiration,” Wilder
stresses. “After she was born with spina bifida, the doctors said she
wouldn't do this or that but she is now doing all the things they said she
wouldn't. I never would've gotten into boxing without her.” After Naieya’s
birth Wilder, then just 19, was fuelled by a steely determination to provide
for and support his daughter the best he possibly could. He dropped out of
college and was soon driving a beer delivery truck to earn a living as well as
working at a branch of Red Lobster, a seafood restaurant chain. A sports
enthusiast, Wilder had never given a boxing career a second thought, however
desired careers in American football and basketball had not materialised, so he
decided to consider other options. And that’s when he discovered the Skyy gym.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>THE FULL ARTICLE WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT AND EBOOK EDITION OF BOXIANA: VOLUME 1, TO BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> is an anthology of never before published boxing writing and takes an in-depth look at the sport’s past, present and future. Original, startling and thought-provoking, Boxiana examines pugilistic themes, characters and issues ranging from the personal to the universal, combining exclusive interview material with meticulous research. The book’s fresh approach will both intrigue and delight all serious followers of boxing.<br /><br /><b>Featured in Volume 1:</b> comic book legend Trevor Von Eeden analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; Mario Mungia tries his hand at amateur boxing; Ben Williams uncovers his grandfather’s bareknuckle boxing career; Matthew Ogborn considers the issues boxers face on retirement; James Hernandez catches up with Jon Thaxton; rising light heavyweight Chris Hobbs recounts his life in the military and the ring; Rowland Stone recalls a heady night in 1992; Corey Quincy attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and Luke G. Williams examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd. </span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-21947911550882871552014-08-24T12:12:00.001+01:002014-11-02T13:41:12.368+00:00Boxiana Vol. 1 extras: Five rounds with Trevor Von Eeden<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the next few weeks, this blog will be featuring a series of exclusive previews and 'extras' relating to the content of Boxiana: Volume 1, which will hopefully whet your appetite and persuade you to buy the full volume, which will be available as a <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">paperback book (RRP £9.99) or ebook (RRP TBC)</a>.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">A couple of weeks ago, I posted an extract from the second chapter of Volume 1, written by myself, which charted the history of boxing-themed comic strips and comic books. That theme continues today with an exclusive interview with comic book legend and <i>Boxiana</i> contributor <a href="http://www.trevorvoneeden.com/" target="_blank">Trevor Von Eeden</a>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Trevor is a crucial contributor to <i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i>; not only has he written a brilliant and heartfelt article about Jack Johnson which is included in the volume (this piece will be previewed here in the next few days), but he has also produced a series of dynamic, exclusive and original pieces of art which will be showcased throughout the volume. The black and white illustration of Jack Johnson at the top of this page is just one such example. To see the others, you'll have to wait to see the final, printed edition of <i>Boxiana</i> which will be published in November!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">I first came across Trevor's art when I was a young comic-book fanatic in the 1980s. His work was full of energy, creative daring and crackled with a spirit of experimental adventure. Years later, I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">discovered that Trevor had produced a two-volume graphic novel based on the life of Jack Johnson. As a huge Johnson and boxing fan, I was both excited and thrilled to discover how one of the comic book heroes of my youth would bring to life perhaps the most important boxer who ever walked the face of the earth - and <i>The Original Johnson, </i>as this landmark work was called, certainly didn't disappoint.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not long after reading <i>The Original Johnson</i> I got in touch with Trevor and was delighted to discover that he was a real gentleman with a keen intellect; even better (for me!) was the fact that he liked the sound of my concept for <i>Boxiana</i> and was willing to contribute both artwork and prose to the volume. He's been a constant support and encouragement ever since, and a true pleasure to work with.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> As I said earlier, I'll be printing a preview from Trevor's article on Johnson in the next few days. In the meantime, here's Trevor's thoughts on five questions which I'll be posing to all of <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors over the next few months as we count down to publication in November.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round
1: Can you remember the first boxing match you ever watched?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first boxing match I
remember seeing was the Ali / Liston fight. It was truly mythical- almost
biblical in its effect on my psyche (Samson blinded, yet still overcoming the Philistines - loved
it!), and it changed my life forever. Then, when I was introduced to the
essence of confidence, natural intelligence, love, and joy that was Muhammad
Ali’s personality, I remember thinking that with that man in the world, I never
need fear losing anything important to me, ever again. He showed me that you
can fight for, and win, whatever you wanted in life, as long as you believed in
yourself and persevered, despite whatever odds. I was around 12 or 14 at the time. Before Bruce Lee, Ali was
the first (non-white) man in my life to conquer an entire, racist world (not
just American society) simply by being himself, and by believing in the fruits
of his own labor. An inspiration that has never dimmed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 2: Who are your favourite boxers and why?</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Muhammad
Ali (the absolute GREATEST of all time), Jack Johnson (one of the greatest MEN
to ever walk the planet - period), Sugar Ray Leonard (a miniature version of
Muhammad Ali, who did his idol justice), Manny Pacquiao (the Bruce Lee of
boxing - blatantly cheated out of his title after the Bradley fight, because he’d
become a born-again Christian, which is apparently bad for a boxer’s image, to
the powers that be, in Las Vegas…), Sugar Ray Robinson and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe Louis also come to mind.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 3: Is boxing morally justifiable?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From what point of view? Is sex between consenting adults morally
justifiable? It is, in private. When sex becomes a public affair, for profit,
that’s when the issue of morality arises. Same with boxing. Fighting sports are as old as
civilization itself (especially since most civilizations were built and
maintained thru warfare in the olden days) and boxing is but one of the many
martial arts that have existed throughout history. If the question refers to
boxers being unscrupulously exploited by callous, greedy men, at the risk of
their physical and mental health - that presupposes that the average boxer is a
punch-drunk idiot, incapable of handling himself in a business arena - which I
think is a long dead cliché, in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century. Men from Jack
Johnson up to Muhammad Ali and beyond, have shown conclusively that being a
boxer definitely does not preclude one’s also having the gift of superior
intelligence, as well (the “punchdrunk palooka” is a cliché born of jealousy,
as are most prejudices). Sex and violence are staples in every civilised
society - they’re usually the main ingredient in every popular movie, and most other
forms of social entertainment. Two men voluntarily beating the
hell out of each other in a ring is undoubtedly morally repugnant to the more
squeamish and sheltered people in life - but in a free society, boxing, MMA, and
the ever-popular, albeit physically brutal sport of American football, will
live on for as long as athletes (and couch potatoes) exist. Does the argument
against<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>moral justification take into account the free
will of all the parties involved, or is it just another attempt at moral
dictatorship by the ever-present, passive-aggressive “moral majority” in every society?
America itself was born as a reaction to religious persecution by a malevolent
majority - who felt <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the right to
determine and dictate the “correct” stardard of morality to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But did they take into account the free
will of the parties involved? Boxing is not prostitution, there is no treat of
a public health hazard thru communicable diseases involved. It’s a form of
self-defense, necessary in an unrelentingly violent world. Boxing is a martial
art. One of the oldest in history. It’s simply mutual combat, unlike rampant,
wanton prosmiscuity, which is never justifiable - ask anyone who truly loves
their sexual partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Physical love
is the most personal, selfish thing that a human being can experience, not
something to be bartered about in the marketplace like a piece of cloth, cheese - or
meat. On the other hand, is (the Art of) self-defense morally justifiable?
Well, who in their right mind would ever say “No” to that question?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 4: Time travel has been invented and you are able to match up two fighters from boxing history. Who would they be and why?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Muhammad Ali vs. Joe
Louis; Ali vs. John L. Sullivan (in his prime); Sugar Ray (either one) vs. Jim
Corbett/Billy Conn/Willie Pep; Marciano vs. Frazier; Pacquiao vs. Mayweather
(lol) A young Sugar Ray Leondard vs. Manny Pac would be epic, actually … I’m
sure I could think of more, but these are the ones that came immediately to
mind. What I’d LOVE to see, if I had a time-machine kinescope, are the fights
and fighters from the bare-knuckle era (including the great John L. himself,
natch), and the early days of glove boxing. Nowadays, in our 12-15 round bout
encounters, it’s inconceivable that boxing matches went on for 50-100
rounds<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at a stretch - and that’s
without gloves, or any other form of protection! ( I’d imagine the ever-popular
kick to the groin must’ve had a field day back then…)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Round 5: What achievement or piece of work from your professional life (writing or otherwise) has given you the most satisfaction?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have two favorite jobs in my
career, so far: <i>The Batman Annual #8</i> (’82) - the first job where I consciously
decided to pull out all stops and draw the script as I saw it, instead of
translating (and expressing) it thru the styles of the artistic heroes in my
head (Kirby, Adams, Buscema, Swan, Toth). I literally sat down and wrote down a
“mission statement” about what I wanted my new style to be, and how I wanted
to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">express myself through it. To
this day, it’s the book I’m most proud of, in my 25 year career at DC Comics. I
was able to ink it myself, and also got my girlfriend at the time, Lynn Varley,
to colour it - her first job in comics. I’d met her at Neal Adams’ Continuity
Studios, where she was one of the top inhouse color artists there. She later
went on to marry well, and helped her husband, Frank Miller, become one of the
most successful creators in comics history during their 20 year marriage. I’m
very proud of what Lynn has
accomplished in her career, and the <i>Batman Annual #8</i> is a permanent record of a
very happy time, for me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The other
“most satisfying” book of my career is <i>The Original Johnson </i>- the first book
I’ve ever written and drawn. Unfortunately, dealing with an unscrupulous and
untalented publisher has resulted in a lesser quality presentation of my book
than I’d designed and expected (for one thing, the cover painting I’d specifically created for my
book—my first cover painting ever - was not used. The book was also half inked by
someone other than myself, due to the underhanded actions of my publisher.
Fortunately, I liked the other inker’s work, but it displeased me not to be
able to ink the entirety of my own first book. I’m currently hauling them into
court to receive the royalties that they still haven’t delivered, in over four
years … the bums.) These actions by others are the reasons why TOJ is not my
“most satisfying” job - but it IS my most personally expressive, and I’m very
proud to have created it. The book was also very well received by both critics
and the fans, which is tremendously gratifying to me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Thanks to Trevor for sparring five rounds with Boxiana!</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>TREVOR
VON EEDEN</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> was born on July
24th, 1959, in Georgetown, Guyana (formerly British Guiana) - the only English
speaking country in South America. He came to America with his family in 1970.
In 1976, at age 17, he became DC Comics’ first black artist - and the youngest
they'd ever hired. His first assignment was to co-create their first original
black superhero, <i>Black Lightning</i> (the
black GL knock-off, John Stewart, had debuted shortly before.) BL is still
alive and well in the DC Comics Universe.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Over the
years, Trevor has also received favorable acclaim for his work on <i>Powerman/ Ironfist</i> #56-59 (1979); <i>The Batman Annual</i> #8 (1982); <i>The Green Arrow</i> mini-series (1983); the
cult favorite, <i>Thriller</i> (1983-85); <i>The Black Canary</i> mini-series and
subsequent regular series (1990-1993) and <i>Legends
of The Dark Knight</i> #149-153 (2001) - his last work for DC Comics, to date.
His first self-written/drawn graphic novel <i>The
Original Johnson</i>, the story of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight
champion of the world, was released in December 2009 to generally positive
acclaim from fans and critics alike. A quote from the <i>New York Times</i> Book Review graces both covers of the two
volume paperback set.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">Trevor is currently at work on his second book, <i>The Story of HERU: The First Hero</i>, and
resides in the Gun Hill Road section of the Upper Bronx. He is single, lives
alone, and enjoys his own company quite a bit. When it comes to sex, he likes
women - but infinitely prefers them to be smart, rather than dumb. A good wife
would be helpful - but not mandatory - for achieving happiness and peace
of mind in life.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia;">He has no major complaints nor regrets to report.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i> will be available through <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=2955" target="_blank">Troubador Publishing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154870&sr=8-1&keywords=williams+boxiana" target="_blank">Amazon in the UK</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxiana-Volume-Anthology-Boxing-Writing/dp/178462067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407154934&sr=8-1&keywords=boxiana+williams" target="_blank">Amazon in the USA</a> and all good traditional and online booksellers.</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Further exclusive previews of Volume 1 content, as well as further information about <i>Boxiana</i>'s contributors will feature on the Boxiana blog in the coming weeks.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxiana: Volume 1</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is an anthology of never before published boxing writing and takes an in-depth look at the sport’s past, present and future. Original, startling and thought-provoking, Boxiana examines pugilistic themes, characters and issues ranging from the personal to the universal, combining exclusive interview material with meticulous research. The book’s fresh approach will both intrigue and delight all serious followers of boxing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Featured in Volume 1:</b> comic book legend Trevor Von Eeden analyses the significance of Jack Johnson; Mario Mungia tries his hand at amateur boxing; Ben Williams uncovers his grandfather’s bareknuckle boxing career; Matthew Ogborn considers the issues boxers face on retirement; James Hernandez catches up with Jon Thaxton; rising light heavyweight Chris Hobbs recounts his life in the military and the ring; Rowland Stone recalls a heady night in 1992; Corey Quincy attempts to solve the Wladimir Klitschko conundrum and Luke G. Williams examines the meteoric rise of Deontay Wilder and the under-rated career of Chris Byrd. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No other boxing anthology can match <i>Boxiana</i>’s eclectic range of subject matter, or its in-depth examination of issues and characters from boxing’s past, present and future.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Luke G. Williams</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Editor</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/boxianajournal" target="_blank">@boxianajournal</a></span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-26353098416790809732014-08-22T14:31:00.000+01:002014-08-22T14:31:14.143+01:00Bare-knuckle legends: Henry Pearce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3o9fUNNBEcoICZtLlsy8Bfx3weWZLOhiEwkFkNZLfPn3z0hyqOD2kftHPoGjhA6wupdf2hObqpTIVKYoP-YSvZlyK9Fj-Z3WbjEeT4xK1CwSGTKxO_fxxqfsQZKzV_5-8P1aKsjqNwA/s1600/3231723209_e5ffe9659f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3o9fUNNBEcoICZtLlsy8Bfx3weWZLOhiEwkFkNZLfPn3z0hyqOD2kftHPoGjhA6wupdf2hObqpTIVKYoP-YSvZlyK9Fj-Z3WbjEeT4xK1CwSGTKxO_fxxqfsQZKzV_5-8P1aKsjqNwA/s1600/3231723209_e5ffe9659f.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have some good news to celebrate today, having signed a contract with a publisher for a long-planned boxing book that I've spent more than a decade researching. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Exact details of the book need to be kept under wraps for now, but I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>am </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">able to reveal that it is connected with the Georgian era of bare-knuckle boxing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love every era of boxing for different reasons, but, for me, the Georgian period is the most fascinating in the sport's history, mainly because it is richly populated with charismatic and compelling characters. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my favourite pugilists of this, or any, time is Henry Pearce, otherwise known as the 'Game Chicken'.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pearce was, by all accounts, a teak-tough man, with a touch of gallantry to him as well. He never lost a single prize fight, and could count among his victims such legendary figures as Joe Bourke, John Gully and Jem Belcher. After dismissing the challenge of Belcher, though, the age-old temptations of wine, women and song turned his head, and, within two years, he was dead, having contracted tuberculosis.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While researching my book this week, I came across a glorious obituary of Pearce in an old newspaper archive. The obituary was published shortly after his untimely death in 1809 and I've reproduced it in full for your delectation - have a read and I promise you that one of the most exciting prize fighters who ever walked the face of the earth comes into sharp and glorious focus again:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>DEATH OF THE GAME CHICKEN - 1 May 1809</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Yesterday afternoon, at half-past four o'clock, died the celebrated pugilistic hero, Henry Pearce, alias the Game Chicken, and once the Champion of England. His fighting career was put to an end to by a complaint of the lungs, brought on by dissipated habits, and at which brought on his dissolution.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The title of Champion of England has, from time to time, been bestowed on various candidates for pugilistic fame; but certainly it was never more justly bestowed than on the person in question; for in the numerous contests in which he has been engaged, he never was obliged to yield the palm of victory. Pearce was a native of Bristol, which has, of late years, been so celebrated for producing heroes. He was about 30 years of age, stout and athletic in appearance, from 5 feet 9 to 10 inches high. Although a professor of boxing, he was never involved in pot-house brawls or casual rencontres.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first battle of note which he fought, was with a man of colour at Bath, who had been for some years the dread of that neighbourhood. He obtained a hard-earned victory, after a contest of upwards of an hour. He was much inferior in point of strength to his adversary, and was indebted to his success to what may be termed a cautious, cunning system of fighting rather than to a proficiency in the art. Soon after this, the fame and rewards of [Jem] Belcher having been spread far and near, Pearce was tempted to try his fortune in London as a bruiser, and accordingly he came to town at the particular request of Belcher, who having declared his intention of retiring from the ring, promised him the patronage of all this friends. Pearce first entered the lists with Bourke, whom Belcher had twice beaten, and they fought in a room inn St. Martin's Lane by candlelight. The conflict was short and desperate, and in a quarter of an hour the Bristol hero was declared the victor. The bottom he evinced on this occasion procured him the name of the Game Chicken; upon which he crowed defiance to all the game cocks in the kingdom, Belcher excepted (it being his intention not to pit himself against any of the Bristol breed). Gully was at this time in the Fleet for debt, being anxious to fight his way out, he proposed a combat with the Chicken, which took place for a purse of one hundred guineas: on this occasion Guly distinguished himself as a man of bottom and science; but, after an hour's conflict, was compelled to yield to superior strength and experience.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Chicken's next rencontre was with Elias Spary; the copper-smith, on Moulsey Hurst, and there he gained fresh laurels; for Spray was a man of great strength, and about the middle of the battle, placing a blow on the temple of the Chicken, it required some dexterity on his part to carry on the contest until he recovered from its effects. The battle, however, being won by the Chicken, he was challenged by a countryman of the name of Cart, who held his opponent but a short tug, for the battle was nearly decided in the first round, the Chicken planting his favourite blow in the jugular vein, which completely disabled his antagonist.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Chicken now became a great favourite with the amateurs; he excited the envy of Belcher, who had, during his retirement, the misfortune to lose an eye; besides, by keeping late hours, he had greatly impaired his constitution. In this state he prepared to fight the Chicken and the battle took place in Yorkshire, much against the wish and advice of Belcher's best friends. The debilitated state of Belcher, and the disadvantage he laboured from want of an eye, gave the Chicken an easy conquest, which, under different circumstance, would have cost him dear. This was the last battle the Chicken ever engaged in. His constitution from this time gradually decayed; and his death, if not entirely originating in dissipation, was undoubtedly accelerated by it. Finding his dissolution at hand, he expressed a desire to see his relations from Bristol; and his father, amongst the rest, took leave of him yesterday morning. Some time before his death Pearce was impressed with sentiments of religion, and requested a clergyman to assist him in his devotions. He hoped forgiveness from all those whom he might have ill treated in the way of his profession, and declared, with his last breath, that he died in charity with all men."</span></div>
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-67092557210475461372014-08-22T10:54:00.001+01:002014-08-22T10:59:34.759+01:00Farewell Glyn Leach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt5OCy6iMfvoz_sVW6bApCXOGcSopHMkzG2fHptii58YPZ9-Jx4cjI4kwlZ3EKrgxboqQS3fvl4A-CsQEiA9qXx3xWs241utZMvhHnSAvga88E0rC37PSKgJ_oruGK0RdpumWkXv1Dks/s1600/bmlogo4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt5OCy6iMfvoz_sVW6bApCXOGcSopHMkzG2fHptii58YPZ9-Jx4cjI4kwlZ3EKrgxboqQS3fvl4A-CsQEiA9qXx3xWs241utZMvhHnSAvga88E0rC37PSKgJ_oruGK0RdpumWkXv1Dks/s1600/bmlogo4.gif" height="85" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been away so it wasn't until today that I discovered that Glyn Leach, the longtime editor of British boxing journalism mainstay </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/" target="_blank">Boxing Monthly</a></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> had passed away at the absurdly early age of 52.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although I've been a reader of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for many, many years, I didn't know Mr Leach personally and I never met him. I think, in fact, that I've only ever seen one photograph of him. For a personal sense of what he was like as a man and an editor I suggest that you click </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.boxingscene.com/glyn-leach-boxing-monthly-editor-passes-away-52--81214" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/boxing-glyn-leach-obituary-154417500--box.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/glyn-leach-a-big-man-in-all-ways-257489" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for some illuminating tributes by people better qualified than me to comment on him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nevertheless, although I never knew Leach, his passing still hit me like a Bob Fitzsimmons punch to the solar plexus. Ironically enough, I was planning to send him a copy of my forthcoming anthology </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.boxianajournal.blogspot.co.uk/p/boxiana-volume-1-info.html" target="_blank">Boxiana: Volume 1</a> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the hope that his magazine would review it. I'd even begun to pen, in my head, a letter to go with it, in which I was going to explain to Mr Leach how much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has meant to me over the years. Sadly, that's now a letter I'll never write, and sentiments he will never hear.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can still remember the first time I ever read an issue of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. It was in the early to mid-1990s and I was already a keen reader of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing News</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and had no idea that there was also a monthly British title devoted to boxing. One afternoon, I was due at a play rehearsal in Croydon and had arrived early, so I browsed around the local shops and the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> masthead leapt out at me. I eagerly bought and devoured the magazine in one sitting while sat on a park bench eating a pasty. I remember, in particular, a fascinating article about Henry Maske, the German light-heavyweight about who I knew very little. So absorbed was I in the magazine, that I was late for my rehearsal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thereafter, I pretty much never missed an issue of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, although about eight years ago, and to my eternal regret, I dispensed with my collection of back issues during a period when I had fallen out of love with boxing. What a fool I feel like now to have done that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each month Leach's editorial was always the first thing I read. His honesty and integrity always shone through in these masterclasses of cogency, erudition and journalistic coherence. Sometimes these editorials were angry rants, shot through with shards of dark humour and cynicism. At other times, they were sunny, optimistic treatises. But whatever tone they took, they were never dull, they never courted sympathy or popularity for the sake of it, and they never, it struck me, were anything other than 100% honest, sometimes brutally so.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Given Leach's forthrightness, you might have expected him to possess a huge ego, but I never got that impression. I've barely ever seen a photograph of him, and certainly there was very little sense of self-promotion or self-aggrandising in those wonderful editorials. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reading the obituaries of Leach that have sprung up in cyberspace, it has struck me that he was obviously a kind and encouraging soul as well; I've already lost count of the number of novice writers who have emerged to thank Leach for giving them their big break. And the varied names of contributors in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> over the years certainly indicate that, unlike many publications in the mainstream media, Leach was always willing to give an enthusiastic and talented unknown a shot, rather than rely on a clique-riden coterie of his mates. All of which makes me even more regretful that I never had the guts to pitch Leach a story or feature idea. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boxing Monthly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has now been in print for 25 years, an incredible achievement for an independent print publication. That is Leach's epitaph. Let's, as a boxing community and set of consumers, make sure it is still here in another 25 years' time as a monument to his passion, integrity and excellence, even though, without Leach inhabiting its pages, it will never be quite the same again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Luke G. Williams</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Editor</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
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</span></span></span>Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-70123035574048144062014-08-13T10:52:00.000+01:002014-08-13T10:54:00.846+01:00Boxiana's P4P top ten<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs6OP5Ja3ouF0hfaitqD7JpWFm4jf7UZPzTSQHuMZ6DCqefrHaH-wxXctt0giRcSDH2_fWA4zlAdAgSKFdXfypJM5htXnBttGNkFbWUPSkfNlK8DyP0vjk_nhBvMrp11ooUjula3R9tw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-13+at+10.54.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs6OP5Ja3ouF0hfaitqD7JpWFm4jf7UZPzTSQHuMZ6DCqefrHaH-wxXctt0giRcSDH2_fWA4zlAdAgSKFdXfypJM5htXnBttGNkFbWUPSkfNlK8DyP0vjk_nhBvMrp11ooUjula3R9tw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-13+at+10.54.33.png" height="248" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>1. Floyd Mayweather</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The undisputed king of boxing and the best-paid athlete in world
sport. Looked more vulnerable than in a long time against Marcos Maidana but is
widely expected to win the rematch. Unless he takes higher risk contests, it
seems that little can stop him from reaching 49-0 and, ultimately, probably
retiring on reaching 50-0. A great fistic talent, but his penchant for
cherry-picking oppo at the right times is arguably holding him back from even
greater adulation and all-time P4P consideration.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>2. Manny Pacquiao</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Underwhelming next choice of opponent in Chris Algieri has accentuated
the suspicion that he is a faded force and possibly busted flush whose career
is treading water. Nonetheless, he remains a phenomenon with an incredible
ledger of achievements and, after Mayweather, the biggest name in the sport.
The world still yearns for <i>that fight</i>, of course, although we now know
it will never happen.</span><br />
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<b>3. Timothy Bradley</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An enigmatic talent who disappointed big-time in his rematch against
Pacquiao, however his overall record commands respect and his wins against
Provodnikov and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;">Márquez</span>, which prefaced the Pacquiao defeat, were impressive
for different reasons. Intriguing to see where his career goes next, once he
recovers from a calf injury. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><b>4. Juan Manuel </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><b>Márquez</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Past
his best, but has still enjoyed a remarkable and wonderful career. I think we
all agree that a fifth fight against Pacquiao holds little lustre, so where he
goes next after his victory against Mike Alvarado is a huge question - the
answer might be retirement. We will soon see.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>5. Andre Ward</b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Career is stagnating when it should be at its peak. A wonderful
talent, but signature wins and fights are sparse, despite potential for some
huge fights in and around his division (Golovkin, Froch 2, Stevenson etc). As
long as promotional discord keeps him inactive or only sporadically active, he
will continue to move inexorably down a P4P list that he should be looking to
top. Recent rumours have linked him to contests versus Kessler or Golovkin -
let's hope that's true.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>6. Guillermo Rigondeaux</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A breathtaking talent, although not to everyone’s taste. Indeed,
sometimes he doesn’t seem to be to <i>anyone’s</i> taste. <i>Boxiana</i> is a
fan of his pure hit and not get hit artistry though. He's not box-office, but
is worthy of his place among the current gods of the sport.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>7. Gennady Golovkin</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Has looked utterly unstoppable at middleweight recently, although he
badly needs a signature fight against a better class of opponent to
rubber-stamp what many suspect – namely that he’s a middleweight for the ages.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>8. Danny Garc</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>í</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>a</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As far as <i>Boxiana</i> is concerned, a perplexing omission from
nearly every current P4P list doing the rounds. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Garc</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">í</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> can bang, box and has a
superb chin. Totally dismantled the much-avoided and huge hitting Lucas
Matthysse, and has defeated everyone else he’s ever faced, although he got a
debatable decision versus <span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Mauricio Herrera.
Deserves a big fight.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>9. Carl Froch</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Teak-tough warrior who has been willing to face anyone, any time, any
place. Not the most gifted technician, and was schooled by Ward, but his
consistently high level of opposition deserves the utmost respect.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>10.
Bernard Hopkins</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Has
had an absolutely incredible career, which should demand and command more
respect and recognition. A victory against Kovalev is not beyond the bounds of
possibility, and his technique and longevity are quite simply without parallel
or equal in boxing right now.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Comments:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P4P lists are probably the most contentious and ridiculous rankings system
in boxing, yet they retain an intriguing allure. The main criteria <i>Boxiana</i>
has employed in our rankings is to try and combine an assessment of a fighter’s
career as a whole along with an assessment of their recent form. Wins against
fellow P4P ranked fighters seem to have helped elevate certain fighters to the
higher reaches of our rankings – indeed, all of our top five hold at least one
victory against another member of the P4P top ten, while no one ranked from
6-10 has beaten a fellow top ten pound for pounder.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Among those <i>Boxiana</i> has seen in other Top Ten P4P lists but opted not
to include were as follows - any of these fighters could crack the top ten with a significant win or two:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<b>Nonito Donaire</b> – mixed recent form, lost his biggest fight to
Rigondeaux.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c;"><b>Román González</b> - great record but is
unfortunate to have been campaigning in low-profile weight divisions. An
impressive win against Yaegashi in September could see him crack our top ten.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<b>Miguel
Cotto</b> – stellar career but possibly flattered by Martinez victory.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545454; line-height: 18px;"><em style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Canelo Álvarez</b></span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - limitations exposed versus Mayweather and then Lara. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wladimir Klitschko</b> - total dominance of a terrible division makes it
hard to rank him historically in heavyweight terms and contemporaneously in P4P
terms. He’s on a remarkable winning streak, but do all-time-greats suffer defeats against the likes of Puritty, Sanders and Brewster? His
constant fouling also irritates <i>Boxiana</i> sufficiently to not place him
in the top ten …</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<b>Mikey Garcia</b> – great record, lacks a signature win.
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Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346532325834430184.post-48703183613957814662014-08-12T16:46:00.000+01:002014-08-12T16:46:15.762+01:00Boxiana book club: Butler’s mesmerising journey<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Cuban Boxer’s Journey: Guillermo Rigondeaux,
from Castro’s Traitor to American Champion by Brin-Jonathan Butler (Picador
e-book, June 2014)</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boxiana rating: 4 ½ stars<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Boxiana</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> is currently on holiday (you’ll have noticed something was up from the sporadic
posting recently) and one of the joys of being on holiday is, of course,
reading. So while seemingly everyone else in the resort where I’m staying in
Morocco is getting lagered up or being hyped into a swimming pool frenzy by a tiresome
holiday rep with a too-loud microphone, I’ve been sat by the pool glued to my Kindle
and whizzing through a succession of books - some of them, although not all,
boxing related. (The only time I countenance using a Kindle is on holiday, by
the way, and only because of the space it allows me to save in my luggage).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First up on this trip, boxing-wise at any rate, has been the above title by Brin-Jonathan Butler, a young writer I
wasn’t previously aware of, until I found this title while browsing through
Amazon. On the basis of this impressive debut, Butler clearly has talent in spades and is a writer to keep a close eye on. I hope he continues to
write about boxing, and particularly look forward to his forthcoming documentary on Cuban boxing entitled <i>Split-Decision</i>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, this book traces Cuban
master boxer, two-time Olympic Gold medallist and now World Super-bantmanweight
Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux’s amazing back-story from the streets of Havana
to Dublin, Dallas and many places in between. It proves to be both a thrilling
and illuminating journey, with all the tension one would look for in an airport-bookstore thriller, only with far better drawn and more compelling characters.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a brief, but
crisply written contextual survey, which combines Cuban political history with
post-Castro boxing history, Butler locates the enigmatic and moody Rigondeaux
moping around Havana in 2007 after a botched defection attempt in Brazil while at
the Pan-American Games. Thereafter, Butler
becomes immersed in Rigondeaux’s life and career, as well as the plotting and
planning of his on-off manager Gary Hyde. It’s a fascinating tale of speedboat
facilitated defections, familial angst and cultural re-adjustment. At one
point, Butler even stakes his last £1,000 on Rigondeaux winning a particular
fight in a particular round – I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing whether
he’s successful or not.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Complementing the
fascinating subject matter, Butler’s prose is taut and, at times, lyrical and
poetic, but never over wrought or pretentious. Similarly, he manages to tread a
fine but skilful line between emotion and sentimentality – giving us plenty of
the former and none of the latter. His ability to sniff out a story and a
contact are also impressive, as evidenced by the fact that he manages to elicit
the thoughts of, among others, Bob Arum, George Foreman, Te</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;">ó</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">filo Stevenson and
F</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">é</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">lix Sav</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">ó</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">n.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The only faults, for
me, with this book are its length and its format. In terms of the former, with
the amount of great material he has assembled, I was left wishing that Butler
had written <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> – the last couple of
chapters, in particular, which see Rigondeaux widely outpoint Nonito Donaire, seem
a little rushed and lacking in detail. Meanwhile the final chapter, although
apt and appropriate in its sentiments and conclusions, as well as being
beautifully written, is also far too brief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I suspect that the short length of
the book has something to do with its other chief fault – which I presume has
nothing to do with Butler – which is the fact it is only available in ebook
format at present. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not only is this a
gross insult to a book of such quality, depth and insight (which quite simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">demands</i> a print edition) but this
digital exclusivity also prevents a large amount of people from being able to
read it. I suspect this is part of the reason why Butler didn’t spend a bit
more time fleshing out the ending of the book – doubtless he has a crust to
earn and other projects to move on to.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s a particular shame
that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Cuban Boxer’s Journey</i> is only
available as an ebook, as anyone with an interest in either Cuba, boxing or
Guillermo Rigondeaux should consider it an essential purchase. As for Butler he
is definitely, if you’ll excuse the tiresome cliché, ‘one to watch’.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Luke G. Williams</i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Luke G. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102140059825266714noreply@blogger.com0