Reddit reviews On Boxing

I've got a number of books I can suggest.

This one's a great history of the sport in the bare-knuckle era, 19th century sporting culture, and the transition to modern boxing.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Manly-Art-Bare-Knuckle-Fighting/dp/0801476089

Probably the best boxing novel ever written. I can't believe this isn't a movie.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Professional-W-c-Heinz/dp/0306810581

The book that got me into the sport when I sat down to read it at a Borders Books when I was 16. An awesome overview of the history of each weight class with over 400 photos and illustrations.
http://www.amazon.com/AN-Illustrated-History-Of-Boxing/dp/0806522011

An excellent anthology of fiction and newspaper articles.
http://www.amazon.com/At-Fights-American-Writers-Boxing/dp/1598532057

The guy spends a little too much time bashing other martial arts, but it's an excellent read about how boxing is useful in a street fight and old school bare knuckle techniques.
http://www.amazon.com/Championship-Streetfighting-Boxing-Martial-Art/dp/0873649346

A superb series of observations from a woman who has spent her life watching boxing. One of the more literary attempts at explaining the primal appeal of a boxing match.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Boxing-Joyce-Carol-Oates/dp/0060874503

I'm not home and don't have access to my library right now, but let me know if you want a few more. I'd say that any one of those is a great gift for a boxing enthusiast. /u/Choccybizzle is right, Four Kings is awesome, and /u/zombiezs suggestion for The Sweet Science is a good one as well. There's a lot of boxing books out there, but you know your friend so you'll know which of those will appeal to him the most.

Glad you're enjoying the sport. And yes; training one day a week won't get you anywhere in competitive boxing. I've been boxing for two years, 3-4 days a week, and my last match I had my ribs fractured. Some of these guys live and breath the sport 5-6 days a week 2-3 hours a day. Keep it up and you'll be fine. Run! Run! Run! Run! When you're not at the gym get your wind up!!!!! Big time! There's a quote from a famous football coach and I can't find it about how a man is never as scared as he is when he is tired.


My coach likes to remind everyone he trains that it takes guys years to get good at this sport. Years! There is a lot to learn. Keep learning and keep training. It doesn't stop.


Remember "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth" - Mike Tyson.


If you enjoy reading I highly recommend Joyce Carol Oates - On Boxing. It's a great overview of the history of the sport and major boxing stars.

On that note - also look up famous fights. Tyson's first title fight is good one.

I really enjoyed On Boxing by Joyce Carol Oates. It's short, but it packs a punch, for lack of a better word.