I have found boxer's biographies and autobiographies, along with boxing reportage and books detailing the cultural and historical heritage this great sport has left us, to be among the most enthralling and well written pieces, I have had the pleasure of reading. The obvious symbolism between the struggle through life and the drama of a fight, it's lengthy preparation, complete with sacrifice, planning , intrigue and the fascinating characters around the fight game, make it a rich subject that even an averagely gifted writer can render unputdownable.

I too have a large and varied boxing library that i am continuing to build on with a weekly visit to a few specific charity bookstores and the occasional treat from amazon. I have said it before I am sure ,but i would recommend Smokin Joe - The Joe Frazier Biography, for an insight into what it was like to be on the receiving end of Ali at his mose base and uneddifying. "Dark Trade" by Doanld McCrae because it is brilliant and brutal, just like the noble art.Anything by Hugh Mcilvanney(check out his writing on football too) because he is a sports writer who could quite effortlessly hold his own with many of last centuries great novelists, he really is that good. If you haven't read anything about the birth of this beautiful art form then "Master of the Ring:The Extraordainary life of Jem Mace Father of Boxing and the First Worldwide Sports star" is well worth a gander.