Full Description
Without Ray Arcel (1899-1994), the 20th century world of boxing would have been markedly different. The credibility of it as a sport would have been greatly lessened. Arcel's prominence is all the more interesting because he made his mark not as a fighter, promoter, or manager, but as a trainer. From Benny Leonard to Roberto Duran and Larry Holmes, Arcel stood in the corner for champions of every weight division that existed in his lifetime, a record that remains unequalled.
This biography chronicles Arcel's life inside the ring--and outside, where he was a highly secretive man who maintained relationships with some of the chief mob figures of his day. Through a wealth of information from Arcel's unpublished memoir, this work offers an extraordinary portrait of one of boxing's most influential and enigmatic figures.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Spare Man
2. The Boy from Indiana
3. Settling In
4. Jungle Gyms
5. Training Wheels
6. Travels with Charlie
7. New Rules
8. Valgarisms
9. Partners
10. The Family Man—Not
11. Paybacks and Comebacks
12. Citizens of the Depression
13. Out on Limbs
14. The Cool and the Crude
15. Bums of the Month
16. Home Away from Home
17. Other Wars
18. In Black and White
19. Short Memories, Long Memories
20. More Champions
21. Separated from the Mob
22. Vows and Disavowals
23. Panama Hats
24. No More
25. The Final Rounds
26. After the Ring
Epilogue
Arcel as Medic
Arcelisms
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
