Arc of Boxing

Mike Silver is a former boxing promoter and inspector with the New York State Athletic Commission whose many articles on boxing have appeared in the New York Times, The Ring magazine, Boxing Monthly and ESPN and Seconds Out websites.

“lively...Silver explored the magic, studied the history”—Philadelphia Daily News; “if you care about boxing...it’s future, it’s past or both...then you have to read this book...thoroughly researched...articulately argued”—Newsday.com; “[r]ecommended as a valuable source to give historians a raft of interesting insights on [the] sport.”—Journal of Sport History; “true aficionados, whether they ultimately agree with Silver or not, are sure to enjoy his book for its unmistakable knowledge and passion”—The Ring; “I loved everything about this book...should be required reading...very interesting...highly recommend it”—Cyber Boxing Zone; “is a must...meticulous research”—Boxing Digest; “compelling...entertaining treasure trove of boxing ‘insider’ knowledge”—newsblaze.com; “the most definitive analyses...I have ever read...belongs on every fan’s bookshelf...an important work that reverberates with insight and wisdom...a must-read”—thesweetscience.com; “Lots of people know boxing, but not many understand it: its spirit, its cultural significance, its storied past and probable future. Mike Silver is one of the few...anything he writes is essential reading for the true fan of the sport.”—David Margolick, author of Beyond Glory: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, and a World on the Brink; “Mike Silver is the go-to guy when boxing historians need information. His eye-opening book argues strongly that boxing ain’t what it used to be. Argue back if you want, but not before considering his opinions and the facts. A must-read for all fight fans, especially the young ones who think the sport started with Mike Tyson.”—Steve Farhood, boxing analyst for Showtime and former editor-in-chief of The Ring magazine.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Foreword by Budd Schulberg      Preface      Panel of Experts      1. Origins      2. The Golden Age      3. The Incredible Shrinking Sport      4. Paying Their Dues      5. Cooking the Books: Boxing’s Nutty Knockout Numbers      6. Where Have You Gone Charlie Goldman?      7. Boxing’s Missing Links      8. The Good, the Bad, and the Inconsistent      9. Fistic Forensics: Two Fights Analyzed      10. Too Much Amateur      11. The Dominance Factor, Part One: Roy Jones, Jr., and Bernard Hopkins      12. The Dominance Factor, Part Two: Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.      13. The Bigger They Are—The Harder They Fall      14. Boxing’s Snake Oil Salesmen      15. Boxing’s Death by Alphabet      Epilogue      Appendix: Statistics for Reigning Champions      Chapter Notes      Bibliography      Index