Box Like the Pros

I have had a lifetime interest in all kinds of combat arts. During this time I have had an opportunity to read and review numerous books on boxing. This book is one of the very best texts on boxing I have read in quite a while. This book has information that is seldom covered in other "how to box books." After a thoughtful introduction, this wonderful text begins with a detailed interesting overview of the history of boxing. It explains that prizefighting may be the oldest sport in the world because it was practiced in the Olympic Games in ancient Greece. It moves to a brief history of boxing in the 1890s-1900s, to the 1920s-1940s, to the 1940s-1950s, and on to the present day boxing greats, which includes the author, Smokin Joe Frazier who was a great boxer. Joe emphasizes that YOU must willing to put in the HARD work if you truly want to be a champion. This fantastic text explains the rules of the ring, getting into good shape before you enter a boxing gym, picking the right kind of boxing gym, tools of the trade, building the boxing foundation, the basics of offense and defense, the boxer's workout, sparring, strategy, golden gloves and white-collar boxing. This book also has a detailed directory of boxing gyms in the United States. If you are seeking a book to compliment your live boxing lessons, this is an excellent book to read and study. If you are someone who takes boxing because it provides a great workout, you will also want to own this book. If you are a martial artist who desires to learn effective and practical boxing skills, this book is a must in your library. Finally, if you truly desire to be a champion boxer, you should study this book. In conclusion, this is a unique and well-written boxing book that is a pleasure to read. It has something for everyone who is interested in the sport of boxing. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A Warrior's Memoir)

Frazier explains everything about getting started in the sport in an interesting way. He explains his signature left hook over a 3 page span with pictures, and explains the amateur and pro circuits with amazing perspective. Overall, great read with valuable exercise tips. He doesn't tell you to go buy a bunch of equipment, but instead teaches you to have discipline and pride, and to train yourself based off moral principles. Really interesting perspective into the mind of the man with one hell of a left hook.

So I had my first spar today and I immediately decided to write a review on this book because I had been reading the “your first time sparring” portion in preparation. I have to say I would not have had the confidence I had my first time without it. This book did not fall short on its depiction of your first fight. Therefore I knew everything that was coming. As for the rest of the book I’d say there is a vast amount of crucial beginner knowledge here. Let me put it this way. If you just started at or are seriously thinking of joining a gym, buy the book. If you have sparred or have a good amount of experience with boxing, don’t buy there is nothing new here for you. If you are buying this to self teach from home, go ahead but please consider joining a gym and getting in the ring.

For those people who don't like this book: be realistic. Look, if Joe Namath writes a book about football, you can't expect to read it and become an all-star quarterback, or more importantly, can't expect to learn everything you need to know to BECOME an all-star just by reading a book, can you? Same thing here. To really learn to do something, you have to DO it. So right, this isn't the most thorough book on boxing you are ever going to read. If it was, it would be 10 times longer, and you probably wouldn't read it because if you already box, you'd already know much of it, and if you are a beginner, you would want something short to get the general idea. This book gives you a general idea, and is therefore a good beginner's book. Also, someone probably ghost wrote it for him, as it reads easily. In summary then, I'd say it's a great introductory book written by someone who really HAS "been there" as both an Olympic gold medalist and world heavyweight champ. What more do you want?

Bought the book had been hearing about for a few months. It’s a great addition to my boxing library and Joe Frasier has some great info in it. If your an experienced boxer there’s not much you worn already know. But I have bought every boxing book at out there and I always take something of value from each one. What I really like about this book is that Frasier explains how simplistic his workouts were. I’ve got away from the basics of conditioning and the reminder really reinforced the importance of the basics.

It's great reading Joe Frazier in his own words. He tells you how to wrap hands, how to strike, he gives a workout routine that he, himself used to do, and he tells a lot of great stories from his own perspective that you've never heard before. It's just as much a good read as it is a good book for self defense.

Joe Frazier died last year and this publication is, in my opinion, his worthwhile legacy. It is remarkably readable and he gives clear and useful advice. In particular, I learned a lot from the chapter on preparation for a fight - those critical moments before one gets into the ring. He is a great advocate for the sport at all levels and offers encouragement, even for "white collar boxers", like me!

I am a big Ali fan and so Joe was kind of "The Other Guy" when it was happening in the 70's. My appreciation for Frazier has really grown over the years and so I bought this book. It is great! Joe's writing style makes the learning process really interesting and easier than it might otherwise be. He was a great champion and the more I read his book, the more impressed I am. RIP, Mr. Frazier. You were the Heavyweight Champion of the world and a better writer than I ever knew.....

E' senza ombra di dubbio il miglior libro sulla boxe in commercio. Scritto da una leggenda di questo sport, narra la storia del pugilato dalle origini ai tempi moderni, spiega tutte le regole e da utilissimi e preziosi consigli per l'allenamento e la preparazione atletica. Davvero un libro eccezionale, peccato non ne esista una traduzione in italiano

Totalmente recomendable y el mejor libro de boxeo que he leído hasta ahora con diferencia. Es más, considero que, con todos mis respetos, nadie puede escribir acerca de este deporte mejor que un boxeador, y creedme que Mr. Smokin' Joe lo ha hecho a las mil maravillas. Joe Frazier te habla de tú a tú, clarito y sin rodeos para explicarte todo lo que necesitas saber y hacer para convertirte en un gran boxeador o para entrenar boxeo sin la intención de llegar más allá. Lo de las fotos de calidad media y en b/n ya me lo tomaré como un catecismo, pero se ven claras y complementan los textos muy bien. En cualquier caso, no son como para quitar una estrella a mi votación. Me ha encantado y además, tras leerlo, lo estoy usando como guía de referencia y planning para mis propias rutinas de entrenamiento como practicante de boxeo y futuro entrenador, Dios mediante.

Explains most important boxing techniques, there is also some counterpunching. On the beginning there is shortcut of boxing history so you can do some more deep research by yourself.

don't buy the kindle version. the formatting was not made adequately. The fonts and phrases are all mixed up. I returned and will ask for the print version.

Other reviews from Amazon.com say everything you need about the book. I am relatively new to boxing (started a month ago) and this one is a great introduction to the fundamentals of boxing. Nearly everything my trainer told me so far about practising boxing is here plus few things more, like: * getting fit before stepping into the gym. * history of modern boxing. * boxing competitively. * and much more. I would say this is a great starting box and a good reference guide. But if you think the book is too long to read (more than 200 pages) then you can pick up how to box by the legend Joe Louis.