Once There Were Giants: The Golden Age of Heavyweight Boxing

From start to finish in this action-packed, detail-rich book, Jerry Izenberg gives readers the inside scoop on heavyweight boxing. From vital background on the mob's control of the racket for decades, to secret pacts between promoters, to vivid descriptions of the best rounds and the best fights he ever saw, Izenberg brilliantly describes the heavyweight division's golden era. Within the pages of "Once There Were Giants," you'll be schooled on heavyweight boxing from before and after this golden era. It's all here — the unfiltered truth about Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Mike Tyson, et al. This is a highly recommended book.

A good book, much crisp and graceful writing, many sharp insights, but marred by extremely sloppy editing, which permitted unjustified repetition and failed to correct numerous annoying typographical errors. The presentation, therefore, is not worthy of the author.

If you like boxing, you will love this book. it's incredibly well written and informative. The author knows boxing like few people ever have.

Great boxers in the heavyweight division are names that are recognized by even those who are not fans of the sport. Fighters like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman are just a few of the heavyweight champions who have left their mark both in boxing and in the world in general. That era when these and other great heavyweight boxers ruled the sport is chronicled in this terrific book by veteran writer Jerry Izenberg.There is a passage in the prologue that fits the general theme of the book and also expresses the feelings of not only the author but also many of the readers when Izenberg states that “…there will never again be a heavyweight cycle like the one that began when Sonny Liston stopped Floyd Patterson – and ended when Mike Tyson bit a slice out of Evander Holyfield’s ear.” This covers the 35 year period of 1962-1997 and Izenberg tells many great stories about many great fighters from that era.There is Sonny Liston, whom Izenberg states was the last fighter to be controlled by the Mob, a great account of all three classic fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Noteworthy is that Izenberg believes their third bout, the “Thrilla in Manila”, “…was the greatest fight I ever saw. Hell, I think it was the greatest fight anyone saw.” Many who have seen it will echo that sentiment. Then even more great storytelling is in store for the reader as Izenberg tells about both Spinks brothers who held the crown, Leon and Michael and of course, Mike Tyson and all of the chaos surrounding him.This book is a breeze to read, especially for fight fans who remember the days when the heavyweight championship was a title that was held in reverence and was held by one man, not by several because of various organizations who claim to be the “one” who can declare the champ. The stories about these fighters, and some of the epic bouts they fought to either gain, lose or defend their championship are ones that boxing fans will treasure for a long time.I wish to thank Skyhorse Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lots and lots of of anecdotal entertainment and behind-the-scenes history from the golden age of heavyweight boxing. My only complaint: a few glaring syntax and typo errors missed by the editor of the manuscript.

Very good survey of the heavyweights from Sonny Liston to Evander Holyfield. There are a few historical errors, for example, Chuck Wepner did not knock Ali down with a right to the head, he stepped on his foot and hit him with a right to the body as Ali was falling.Also, Tyson did not really land any crunching punches on Bruce Seldon, he took a dive after Tyson missed,There were a few other errors also, and some possible errors in judgment, I was surprised he had Frazier ahead in the scoring in the second fight with Ali.He also doesn’t do Lennox Lewis justice, he belongs in the storied history of the giants.One of the best chapters in the book was the prelude where he talked about how the mob controlled boxing on and off for the first 60 years of the 20th century.Izenberg Is a very good writer, his conversations with Mike Tyson were fascinated also. Recommended. I give it four and a half stars because of the errors in history, otherwise it would be five.

I've been a big fan of the author since the 1970's but was a bit disappointed in this book. although there is a treasure trove of great material at his disposal, the author spends too many pages discussing events long before the main time frame of the book. like many writers of his generation, he seems obsessed with stories about the mob and how they operated in the "old days," many of which i'm sure are apocryphal.it's a shame more time wasn't spent on the epic fights of the era vs. glorified tales of the mob's influence on boxing in the 1930s and 1940s. once the book shifts focus to its main topic, however, it becomes highly readable and interesting, with the author's trademark humor in full bloom.all in all, a pretty good book but had the potential to be much better.

Cant even find the words. This is so good. Mr. Izenberg really nailed it. He lived it. I did too. I caught the 2nd half of the Golden era beginning with Larry Holmes. What a journey he takes us on. All I can say is THANK YOU. This was amazing. Im so happy I read this. I actually feel sad that I am done reading it. This book meant alot to me.

A very fine book details Great Golden age of favourites from 1970s. Even before from 1956 days to the late 1990s. It covers all the major heavyweights. If fantastic book for any boxing fan, I believe I really enjoyed this.

A book written with love and great humour. So strongly recommended.

Entertaining and informative. Izenberg was there covering the great fights and greater personalities of the Era. A good read.

Great read for the die hard boxing fan, would highly recommend.

Love this Jerry Izenberg has a great writing style which keeps you interested over the events and as he was there to witness in the ring and out can't praise this book enough highly recommended!.