Book review - Workouts from Boxing's Greatest Champs II
A million words have been written to justify the continued existence of boxing in this sanitised century. 'Boxing is so much more than two guys punching the crap out of each other,' writes author Gary Todd in the introduction of this above volume. Not the most refined expression but, like the rest of the volume, it's honest, direct and effective.
Todd, originally a Dundonian but for some years now happily resident in Australia with his (presumably incredibly supportive) wife and three kids, has certainly put a lot of graft into this book. It must have cost him a small fortune too.
Obviously an obsessive fan at heart, smiling up from the pages are pictures of the itinerant Todd with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Diego Corrales, Alan Minter, Jim Watt, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Roberto Duran and many more. The caption under him and Eamonn Magee raised a wry smile; 'I met him at the Hatton-Tszyu weigh in and thought he wanted to fight me at first, as he was very angry.'
Todd has accessible chapters on 32 top class boxers - and John Duddy. Each chapter has the same structure, offering a few career stats, potted biography, a 'typical day' and then the individual boxer's workout.
It's a very easy, interesting, informative read - and this is a late-thirtysomething couch potato saying it. I can imagine it being of great practical use to a wide variety of people from those playing at fitness to those taking it very seriously.
