Amato's : Boxing Greats

"Hard Times", A Movie Classic.





A few years ago saw the passing of two great actors, Charles Bronson
and James Coburn. These two teamed up in the Depression era saga that
mirrored the relationship between Jack Dempsey and "Doc" Kearns. It was
titled "Hard Times".
Bronson was perfectly cast as the rugged, independent drifter who
forged a meager living in bare fisted battles with few rules and lots of
wagers. Comfortable in his solitude and confident in his fighting ability
Chaney, played by Bronson hooked up with the fast talking, smooth moving
Coburn. Soon their union produced some healthy paydays.
Coburn was outstanding as the hustling mouthpiece for the cold and
distant drifter/fighter. His character was prone to gambling misfortunes and
high debts to the mob. This led to a definite strain on his relationship
with Chaney
Strother Martin played Coburn's "Fight Doctor" for Chaney and many
times acted as the peacemaker between them. The late Jill Ireland, Bronson's
real life wife played Chaney's on again off again love interest.
This was a good script with some solid acting performances. It was
well worth the watch.

Jim Amato

BOOK REVIEW : " INSIDE THE ROPES "

Author: Arthur Mercante

He was the best referee of my time and were some great ones. Men like Mills Lane and Joe Cortez among others. Arthur Mercante was the cream that rose to the top. Now he has written a book titled " Inside The Ropes ". It is a recollection of Mercante's travels through the landscape of boxing. Mr. Mercante has decades of memories that he shares his readers. It is a wonderful trip back in time as he talks about some of the famous fights that he acted as the third man. Patterson - Johannson II and Ali - Frazier I among others. Mercante talks about some of the best boxers he's come in contact with. Foreman, Frazier, Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and a young Cassius Clay.

I thoroughly I enjoyed this book. It's a slice of boxing history through the eyes of a man who has seen it up close and personal. I highly recommend this fine book.

Jim Amato

Roberto Duran is my favorite fighter of all time. Because of this fact I thought I may be a little bias in my opinion of the book " Hands Of Stone ". Would I over rate it because the subject was Duran or would I be too harsh and expect too much ? All I know is when it hit the shelf, I had to have it. Although time is not a luxury for me these days I was going to make time to read this book. I'm glad I did.

The author Christian Giudice did a tremendous job in researching this project. I was amazed at the number of people who were a part of Duran's life and legacy that he was able to talk too. The information he was able to gather molded this into more then just a book. It became a journey through Duran's life from his humble beginnings to the present. Family members and former opponents along with many others painted a picture of this great fighter and complex man we call Duran. That name alone stirs great memories for boxing fans around the world and the author was able to weave a superb story of one of boxing's all time greats on to the pages of this book.

This is a must read for all boxing fans and if you are a Duran fan...Well what are you waiting for ?

Jim Amato

"Hard Times", A Movie Classic.





A few years ago saw the passing of two great actors, Charles Bronson
and James Coburn. These two teamed up in the Depression era saga that
mirrored the relationship between Jack Dempsey and "Doc" Kearns. It was
titled "Hard Times".
Bronson was perfectly cast as the rugged, independent drifter who
forged a meager living in bare fisted battles with few rules and lots of
wagers. Comfortable in his solitude and confident in his fighting ability
Chaney, played by Bronson hooked up with the fast talking, smooth moving
Coburn. Soon their union produced some healthy paydays.
Coburn was outstanding as the hustling mouthpiece for the cold and
distant drifter/fighter. His character was prone to gambling misfortunes and
high debts to the mob. This led to a definite strain on his relationship
with Chaney
Strother Martin played Coburn's "Fight Doctor" for Chaney and many
times acted as the peacemaker between them. The late Jill Ireland, Bronson's
real life wife played Chaney's on again off again love interest.
This was a good script with some solid acting performances. It was
well worth the watch.

Jim Amato

Who is Billy Soose ? A lot of people may ask this question. Especially
today's younger fans who probably had no idea.Two of the best writers in the
business, Rusty Rubin and Tom Donelson co-authored a book that should
enlighten the boxing fan as to how good Billy Soose really was.

I had heard of Billy Soose. He was one of the many middleweight claimants
during that era along with Fred Apostoli, Ceferino Garcia, Marcel Thil, Ben
Jeby, Lou Broulillard, Vince Dundee, Teddy Yarosz, Eddie Risko, Al Hostak,
Solly Krieger, Ken Overlin, Freddie Steele and Gorilla Jones. I always felt
that the tall, hard hitting Freddie Steele was the best of this bunch. This
book made me re-think that position.

This book will show why Billy Soose was such a unique boxer. He is
considered the best collegiate boxer of all time. As his professional career
reached its zenith he beat two reigning middleweight champions, Ken Overlin
and Tony Zale in non-title matches. He would eventually meet Overlin again
and win a portion of the title. A rematch with Tony Zale never materialized.

There is a campaign to get Billy Soose inducted into the International
Boxing Hall Of Fame. This well written book makes a strong case for
Mr.Soose. I know a lot more about his amazing career since reading this
book. I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that when you pick it
up, it is hard to put it down.

Jim Amato

By Jim Amato

The great city of Cleveland has a rich boxing history and much of that is captured in Jerry Fitch's book " Cleveland's Greatest Fighters Of All Time ".

You don't have to be from Cleveland or Ohio for that matter to enjoy this book. It is a must read for any boxing fan.


Historian Fitch does a terrific job in profiling the careers of these fine fighters. Many of them that he knew personally. There are chapters on Hall Of Famer's Joey Maxim, Johnny Kilbane and Jimmy Bivins and their tremendous accomplishments.


Fitch also includes chapters on 1920's and 30's heavyweight contender Johnny Risko, ex-N.B.A. Bantamweight champ George Pace, the talented Lloyd Marshall and rugged middleweight Paul Pirrone. The hard punching Pirrone holds a KO victory over the legendary "Toy Bulldog", Mickey Walker.


So many other prominent Cleveland boxers are mentioned in this fine work. The 1932 Olympic Middleweight champion Carmen Barth and 1952 Olympic Flyweight champion Nate Brooks are among them.


You can not go wrong with this book as it is also loaded with an array of classic black and white photos. "Cleveland's Greatest Fighter's Of All Time" is available at these outlets; Borders, Waldenbooks and Barnes and Nobles. It is also available on line at Amazon.com.


ENJOY !!!

Take Time To Read More Tales

In reading "More Tales From Ringside" I realized that it was not your conventional book. I felt more like I was sitting in on a group discussion. It was not your typical this is the story, here's the facts and stats read. The authors Tom Donelson and Frank Lotierzo make you feel like you're at the local tavern sipping a few brews and talking boxing.
Tom and Frank bring a refreshing twist to an age old sport. There are several chapters so you don't become bored with the material. The format shifts from current fights to historical essays to opinionated commentary.
I very much enjoyed the chapters on forgotten middleweight claimant Billy Soose and the uncrowned middleweight champion Charley Burley.
I believe what I liked the most about this book was that ten, fifteen, maybe twenty years from now a new generation of boxing fans will have a little piece of boxing history. They will be able to read about the real impact of fighters of this era like Lewis, Holyfield, Roy Jones, DeLaHoya, Hopkins and Trinidad. They will read about just how great the Gatti-Ward trilogy really was.
Tom and Frank bring up intelligent options for scoring fights. They give their expert opinion on why some fighters made it and break down why others with the potential did not. One case in point was David Tua.
All and all, a fine piece of work. I liked it so much I went and got a copy of their first book "Tales From Ringside".
Hats off to Tom and Frank. I hope their future work lives up to the high standards they have set for themselves. I'm sure it will.

Jim Amato

"Ring Of Fire" Brings Emile Back To The Top.

I just had the absolute pleasure of viewing "Ring Of Fire"; A documentary on the great career of former world champion Emile Griffith. The main focus was the effect the death of opponent Benny "Kid" Paret in the final chapter of their exciting trilogy had on Emile. In reality it was more then that. It showed what a great fighter and even greater man Emile Griffith was and is. I think that it has been forgotten what a superb boxer Emile Griffith was. He was one of the best welterweights and middleweights of all time. His record is a "Who's Who" of boxing. What a roster of top shelf competition he met.
After watching this show I had to wonder how great Emile may have become. Even after the Paret tragedy Emile compiled an impressive list of titles and opponents. To me there is no doubt that Emile lost that "killer instinct" after the Paret incident. In watching the early part of the broadcast you came to realize that Emile never really had it at all. It had to be instilled in him. I honestly believe that never in Emile's wildest dreams could he see the gloom that awaited him. This is a man of honor and loyalty. The people that really know him like Gil Clancy, Howie Albert. his family, etc...They conveyed the the deep emotions and feelings of this proud but yet humble man.
The ending was fitting, emotional and finally a closing of a sad but real novel.. Hopefully the final chapter was read and finished. The book I hope is now closed. Paret's son and Emile have bared their souls to the world. I hope now that Emile feels absolved of any wrong doing and grief. He is too good of a man to feel otherwise.

Jim Amato

A Boxing Movie For The Ages; "GENTLEMAN JIM"

There have been so many wonderful boxing movies that have graced the big screen over the decades. It was very difficult to decide what my favorite pugilistic film was. After much thought I decided on the 1942 production of " Gentleman Jim ".
Why ? First of all it was based on a true story and an authentic character. It was a slice of boxing history brought back to life. It also depicted the glory and lifestyle of the turn of the century.
Secondly the acting and directing of this movie was outstanding. The sets took you back in time. For an hour or so you feel as if your transformed to that rowdy, fun loving era of our history.
Errol Flynn WAS James J. Corbett. He carried the wit, the passion and the class that Corbett was said to possess. These days Corbett is remembered only as the man who whipped John L. but after viewing this movie you'll understand the historical impact that Corbett had on boxing.
Everyone knows what John L. Sullivan, the man himself meant to the sport. He put boxing on the front pages. He may very well have been our country's first real sports hero. Everyone knew who John L. Sullivan was. Ward Bond did a magnificent job in portraying Sullivan. He was splendid in showing Sullivan's gigantic ego and bravado.
The supporting cast was also outstanding. The classy and sassy Alexis Smith starred as Corbett's love interest. Alan Hale Sr. played Corbett's hard living but lovable father. Dick Carson played Corbett's loud mouthed by ever faithful best friend.
So go back to the times of when fights were held in secluded fields or on off shore barges. This was a time when "men were men" and it was nothing to square off at the "drop of a hat".
This film supplies history, humor and even a dose of heartbreak. It is truly a film "for the ages".

Jim Amato