Boxing Hall of Fame--With Books "Updated Weekly!"

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Boxing Library Hall of Fame

We are a New-York-based book publishing house interested in books and boxers.

We are also interested in promoting academic growth and literacy within our youth.

We asked boxers, and prominent figures within the boxing world, to tell us the title of their favorite book. "What is the book that you enjoyed reading the most?" we inquired.

Their book could be fiction, nonfiction, memoir, autobiography, history, sport-related, or not. We simply wanted to peek into their soul and see what book--as a kid, or now—knocked them out!

Below, are their responses. Enjoy!

Stephen B. Acunto

Name: Stephen B. Acunto

Favorite Book: "A Man Must Fight" by Gene Tunney

"Man has fought from the beginning of time--he will fight till the end of time. Tunney's autobiography is as rare as it is wonderful. Only 550 copies were printed in the first edition, but I'll always remember the impact--like a punch--this book has had upon me."

Yvonne Tara Caples

Name: Yvonne Tara Caples

    IFBA Jr. Flyweight World Champion (July 2003 - November 2004)
  • Lost her bid for WBC Female light flyweight title 2005.
  • 1999 National Golden Gloves Champion.
  • Holds two masters degrees.
  • Currently teaches at Silverado High School.
  • http://www.yvonnecaples.com/
  • won 7 (KO 1) + lost 11 (KO 1) + drawn 2 = 21

  • Favorite Book: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

    "This book is a wonderful story of a mulatto woman's amazing journey through life and her personal journey to discover who she is. Any reader can identify with this incredible woman. It's touching, well written, and relates to us all."

    		•

    Reggie Jones

    Name: Reggie Jones

      • Represented America at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the light middleweight division (Eliminated by Valeri Tregubov of the Soviet Union.)
      • Won the bronze medal at the 1971 Pan American Games.
      • Two-time Virginia Golden Gloves Middleweight Champion
      • Pro record: 16 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw
    • http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=002322&cat=boxer

    Favorite Book: "Ray Charles" by Carin T. Ford

    "I was 15-years-old when I read this remarkable book about Ray Charles. His personal story really touched me. Ray, before becoming blind, was a kid who loved to run. He ran everywhere, just like any healthy kid. But then he was diagnosed with some physical ailment. His mother said she'd take him to the doctor, but she never did. So he went blind. Poor kid. He was a victim of motherly neglect, poverty and lack of education. Shame. Although he become a success, his life journey was bumpy with heroin addiction and a lot of other rough things."

    Chuck Walker

    Name: Chuck Walker

      Amateur highlights:
      • 1975 National AAU Light middleweight champion.
      • The 156-pound representative for the United States at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
      • After quitting boxing, Walker worked as a professional tap dancer.
      • As of 2006, he is a film director and producer.
      • Wrote the screenplay for "The Man Who Came Back" (2008 Cannes Film Festival)
      • Pro Record: won 7 (KO 3) + lost 1 (KO 1) + drawn 1 = 9
    • http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=16695&cat=boxer

    Favorite Book: "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson

    "This book just caught my fancy. I musta been 7 or 8 years old when I picked it up. Somehow, reading "Treasure Island" might just have stimulated my movie career. Maybe it's all about adventure--being a prizefighter, then a tap dancer, then a movie producer, and then a writer. However, the usual types of book I normally read are autobiographies. People in the arts, successful movie stars. I enjoy learning about other people's adventures. Reading is learning."

    Vito Antuofermo

    Name: Vito Antuofermo

      WBA & WBC Middleweight Champion 1979 Jun 30 – 1980 Mar 16--Defeated Hugo Corro
      • European BU Light Middleweight Champion, 1976.
      • Defeated Emile Griffith (UD 10). Defeated Eugene Hart (KO 5).
      • Defeated Eckhard Dagge (W 15).
      • Won the 1970 147lb New York Golden Gloves Championship.
      • In 1971 Antuofermo was defeated by future light heavyweight champion Eddie (Mustapha Muhammad)Gregory in the 147lb Open division finals.
      • Professional Actor.
      • won 50 (KO 21) + lost 7 (KO 5) + drawn 2 = 59
    • http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=11417&cat=boxer

    Favorite Book: "Confessions of a Fighter" by Peter Wood

    "I'm not a reader, but this book was brilliant! It's about The New York Golden Gloves--the best damn tournament going! Wood writes like I used to fight--with blood, guts and courage."

    Thomas Hauser

    Name: Thomas Hauser

      Thomas Hauser has written more than 30 books. His boxing books include:
      • "The Lost Legacy of Muhammad Ali"
      • "A Year at the Fights"
      • "Chaos, Corruption, Courage and Glory"
      • "A Year In Boxing"
      • "The Greatest Sport of All"
      • "The View From Ringside"
      • "The Black Lights"
      • "A Beautiful Sickness"
      • "Muhammad Ali: In Perspective"
    • http://www.nysun.com/authors/Thomas+Hauser

    Favorite Book: "The Grapes of Wrath"

    "I’m partial to Mark Twain. But my favorite book is John Steineck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”. It’s beautifully written, captures a range of human emotions, and speaks directly to the social issues of its time in a way that makes it as relevant today as it was in 1939 when it was first published."

    Muhammad Ali

    Name: Muhammad Ali

      "The Greatest"..."The Louisville Lip"..."Gasous Cassius"
      • Considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
      • Won the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal for the United States at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy.
      • National AAU Light Heavyweight champion in 1959 and 1960.
      • Named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1963, 1974, 1975 and 1978.
      • Named Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year for 1965, 1974 and 1975.
      • Won the Boxing Writers' Association of America James J. Walker Memorial Award for 1984.
      • Proclaimed the "Fighter of the Decade" (1970s) by The Ring magazine.
      • Named "Athlete of the Century" by GQ magazine.
      • Named Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the 20th Century".
      • Named BBC's "Sports Personality of the Century".
      • Ali was so popular that when he lost his first fight with Joe Frazier, his loss indirectly led to four deaths. During the bout itself in New York, two spectators died of heart attacks. In Malaysia, Abdul Ghani Bachik was reported to have leaped up from his chair while watching the fight on paid television and shouted, " My God, Cassius Clay has fallen!" He then suffered a fatal heart attack. In Milan, Italy, Erio Borghisiani was found dead in front of his television, hours after viewing the fight on paid television
      • won 56 (KO 37) + lost 5 (KO 1) + drawn 0 = 61
    • http://www.ali.com/

    Favorite Book: "The Koran"

    "The Koran is my double favorite book...My favorite movie: "Shane"...My favorite song: "I Can't Stand It" by James Brown...My favorite singer: Elvis...My favorite fighter: Jack Johnson...My favorite food: Lamb chops (and bean pie)...My favorite candy: Baby Ruth--& that's the truth!"

    George Logan

    Name: George Logan

      Tough Heavyweight in 1960s
      • Birth Date 1936-08-19.
      • Defeated Alejandro Lavorante.
      • Defeated Ezzard Charles (KO 8).
      • Defeated Willi Besmanoff (W 10).
      • Defeated Pete Rademacher (KO 2).
      • Defeated Alejandro Lavorante SD 10).
      • Logan became a Boise, Idaho policeman after his career ended, and was a popular officer with kids on the streets.
      • won 25 (KO 16) + lost 9 (KO 4) + drawn 2 = 36
    • http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9374&cat=boxer

    Favorite Book: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain

    "I have dylexia so reading was difficult. Back then, no one knew anything about dyslexia, or things like that, so I struggled. But I graduated 'cause I worked hard. My favorite book? Me? Ha!..."Huck Finn". I liked that book. Probably read it back in 5th grade."

    Scott "The Fighting Frenchman" Ledoux

    Name: Scott "The Fighting Frenchman" Ledoux

      "The Fighting Frenchman"
      • Upper Midwest Golden Glove Champion in 1968 and 1973.
      • Defeated Marty Monroe (W 10).
      • Defeated Terry Daniels (KO 6).
      • Defeated Ron Stander (W 10).
      • Defeated Larry Middleton (W 10).
      • Defeated J. J. Beattie (TKO 3).
      • LeDoux claims to have fought or sparred with eleven current or former world champions.
      • In retirement, LeDoux has worked as a boxing analyst for ESPN2's ESPN Tuesday Night Fights
      • In November 2004 he was elected county commissioner of Anoka, Minnesota.
      • In July 2006 he became the head of the newly recreated Minnesota State Boxing Commission
    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ZoMqtrUu4

    Favorite Book: "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London

    "I loved how the author, got me, when I read it in the 5th or 6th grade, into the mind of a wolf! How many times do you get the chance to crawl into the mind of a wild animal? That's a pretty neat trick! Well, London was definately one of our great American writers. This book has always stayed with me. It's classic."

    Buck "Tombstone" Smith

    Name: Buck "Tombstone" Smith

      Oklahoma City, OK, USA Born: 1965-07-22
      • Fought: Julio Cesar Chavez, Mark Breland & Buddy McGirt
      • Smith has more wins than any fighter since Archie Moore and Willie Pep retired in the 1960's.
      • Won 179 (KO 120) + Lost 19 (KO 8) + Drawn 2 = 224
    • http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=6117&cat=boxer

    Favorite Book: "Little Platinum Book of CHA-CHING!" by Jeffrey Gitmer

    "Jeffrey Gitomer's "Little Platinum Book of CHA-CHING!" is full of powerful and clever principles for personal and business success."

    "Smokin" Joe Frazier

    Name: "Smokin" Joe Frazier

      World Heavyweight Champion (1970-73)
      • Named The Ring magazine "Progress of the Year Fighter" for 1966.
      • Named Ring Magazine "Fighter of the Year" for 1967, 1970 and 1971.
      • New York State World Heavyweight Champion (1968-70).
      • Defeated Muhammad Ali (W 15).
      • Defeated George Chuvalo (TKO 4).
      • Defeated Oscar Bonavena (2x) (SD 10) & (W 15).
      • Defeated Eddie Machen (TKO 10).
      • Defeated Doug Jones (TKO 4).
      • Defeated Buster Mathis (TKO 11).
      • Defeated Jerry Quarry (2x) (TKO 7) & (TKO 5).
      • Defeated Jimmy Ellis (TKO 5).
      • Defeated Joe Bugner (W 12).
      • Won the Heavyweight Gold Medal for the United States at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
      • Won 32 (KO 27) + Lost 4 (KO 3) + Draw 1 = 37 Bouts
    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ3aUmSBSbY

    Favorite Book: "Tarzan" by Edgar Rice Burroughs

    "My favorite book was "Tarzan" by Edgar Rice Burroughs! I liked the fact Tarzan was always on the side of the right thing to be done and even when fighting the animals did not kill them."

    Boone "Boom Boom" Kirkman

    Name: Boone "Boom Boom" Kirkman

      Rugged Heavyweight Contender in 1970s
      • 1964 Northwest Heavyweight Champion.
      • 1965 National AAU Heavyweight Champion.
      • Defeated Doug Jones (TKO 6).
      • Defeated Eddie Machen (TKO 3).
      • Defeated Jimmy Ellis (SD 10).
      • Defeated Jose "King" Roman (W 10).
      • Defeated Ron Stander (KO 7).
      • Defeated Amos "Big Train" Lincoln (KO 2).
      • Defeated Jack O'Halloran (W 10).
      • Won 36 (KO 25) + Lost 6 (KO 5) = 42 Bouts
    • http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5931/boone-kirkman-looks-back/

    Favorite Book: "Somebody Up There Likes Me"

    "I started boxing because of all those medals & the pig-skin leather-sleeved jackets I saw the fighters wearing when my dad brought me to The Golden Gloves. And I was mesmerized by reading the book "Somebody Up There Likes Me" about Rocky Graziano. There was just something special about boxing."

    George Chuvalo

    Name: George Chuvalo

      Canadian Champion from 1958 to 1977
      • Canadian Amateur Champion 1956.
      • Fought "1965 Fight of the Year" Ring Magazine.
      • Fought Muhammad Ali (twice) & Ernie Terrell for titles.
      • Defeated Yvonne Durelle (KO 12).
      • Defeated Bob Cleroux (W 12).
      • Defeated Willi Besmanoff (3x)(TKO 3)(TKO 3)(TKO 4).
      • Defeated Jerry Quarry (KO 7).
      • Defeated Manuel Ramos (TKO 5).
      • Defeated "Big Cat" Cleveland Williams (W 10).
      • Acted in numerous movies.
      • Inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997
    • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=319653935

    Favorite Book: "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran

    "This is a book of poetry. The words are about love, friendship, beauty, honesty, morality and courage. The words are like they're coming out of God's mouth. Sometimes you need to read it twice to fully digest it. I got it from a hooker in 1963--Henry Hanks' lady friend. She was a beautiful woman--gorgeous. I didn't do anything with her. We'd just sit and discuss the book over tea at Glenn's Pharmacy, at the corner of Woodward and Alexeandrian Streets, the main drag in Detroit."

    Bob Duffy

    Name: Bob Duffy

      Boxing Promoter/Ring Promotions

    Favorite Book: "Rich Man, Poor Man" by Irwin Shaw

    "What a fantastic period piece situated after WW2. I read it 30 years ago but still remember it well. It brought me to Greenwich Village to Hollywood and to the Mediterranean. This is a timeless classic."

    Emanuel Steward

    Name: Emanuel Steward

      • Inductee of International Boxing Hall of Fame & World Boxing Hall of Fame
      • Compiled a record of 95 wins and 3 losses as an amateur boxer.
      • Won the 1963 national Golden Gloves tournament in the bantamweight division.
      • Head coach at Kronk Gym.
      • HBO boxing commentator.
      • Has trained 22 world champions, including Tommy Hearns, Michael Moorer,
      • Evander Holyfield & Wladimir Klitschko
      • Other world champions who have trained or sought Steward's guidance at some point of their career are:
      • Hilmer Kenty & Milton McCrory.
      • Mike McCallum & Dennis Andries.
      • Jimmy Paul & Duane Thomas.
      • John David Jackson & Steve McCrory.
      • Gerald McClellan & Wilfredo Benitez.
      • Julio César Chávez &Lennox Lewis.
      • James Toney & Oscar de la Hoya.
      • Jermain Taylor & Kermit Cintron.
      • Naseem Hamed & Andy Lee.
    • http://thinkexist.com/quotes/emanuel_steward/

    Favorite Book: "The Other Side of Midnight" by Sidney Sheldon

    "I couldn't put it down. I remember I had to go to the gym, but I just had to finish it--it was that good! It was about two guys--one white, the other black--and how their life's grew closer together despite problems. I enjoyed "Animal Farm" too. There are so many books I've enjoyed, but these days, I'm reading more business contracts than books. I might be reading as many books as I used to, but I do read 3-4 newspapers a day--two Detroit papers, the "USA Today", a New York paper, and a Las Vegas paper. It's my job as a human being to know what's going on in the world."
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