New Book - Chicago Boxing Images

[jofre]

IBRO's J.J. Johnston and Sean Curtin's new book on Chicago Boxing hits the bookstores on March 1st. I just got through reading the advance copy and can tell you they did a terrific job. I highly recommend the book to all. Here are the details:



Chicago Boxing (Images of Sports)

By J.J. Johnston and Sean Curtin

Description: "Professor" Mike Donovan, Battling Nelson–"The Durable Dane," and "Stockyards" Harold Smith— their stories are as colorful as their names. Chicago’s boxing history is as exciting and unpredictable as any prize fight within the ring. Some of the most memorable bouts—great, infamous or otherwise—took place in the city’s clubs, parks and arenas, and Chicago has seen its share of champions and top contenders over the years. The Gans-McGovern fight in 1900—the "Big Fix"—set the sport back 25 years in Chicago. The "Long Count" between Tunney and Dempsey, in 1927, may still be the most controversial bout of all time. Chicago Boxing is a story not only of great boxers, but of the fans who embraced them, the promoters who made them big, and even a few mob bosses who made good on their talent.

Highlights include:

Contains photos from the earliest days of Chicago Boxing.

Big fights in Chicago after boxing was legalized including Rocky Kansas vs. Sammy Mandell in 1926 at Comiskey Park and the famous Dempsey vs. Tunney long count in 1927 at Soldier Field.

Photos of the great Jack Johnson as he lived a good part of his life in Chicago and is buried in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery a few feet from another Chicago resident and Heavyweight Champion Bob Fitzsimmons.

Bios and photos of past and present Chicago boxers that made it or almost made it to the top from Jimmy Barry 118 lb. Champion in 1894, to Montell Griffith 175 lb. Champion in 1997.

Photos of boxing arenas that are no longer in existence including the Tattershall arena, Chicago Stadium, and the Chicago Coliseum.

J.J. Johnston is best known for his roles on stage and screen. But he is also a former Chicago area amateur and a leading boxing historian and collector. He has worked behind the scenes on many boxing and crime documentaries. Together with co-author, Sean Curtin, another former local fighter and the Commissioner of Boxing for the State of Illinois from 1998 to 2003 and now a referee, J.J. and Sean tell the story of Chicago Boxing as it could only be told by insiders.

The book is published by Arcadia Publishing and can be purchased at Amazon.Com, area bookstores, independent retailers, or through Arcadia publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.