Champ Thomas books -- how much is valid, how much is suspect?

[HerbM]

The subject line pretty much says it all: In the book collection (PDF) How To Be An Ass-Whipping Boxer by Champ Thomas, how much is good stuff and how much is rubbish?

I don't have the experience to evaluate it quickly, so I hope the experienced boxers and trainers will comment on any and everything that is wrong, suspect, or valuable....

BTW, I LIKE reading the book, but the writing style and eccentric suggestions trip by BS detector....

I believe there are some good ideas, but want some seasoned opinions and criticisms.

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HerbM

[ThaiBoxerWithNoHandsSon]

I got the exact same impression when I was reading it. Couple times I found myself muttering, "Is this guy serious?" Curious to hear what the experienced guys have to say.

[Chris Nagel]

Yeah, I know what you mean, Herb. At times Thomas comes across sounding like a stereotypical, carnival barker. I don’t care for his anecdotes either. I also think that decent photos should have been used in place of illustrations, and that the opponent should have been depicted in a more realistic guard. However, skimming past the hyperbole, sarcasm, etc., I found that there’s plenty that’s worth going over.

In particular, I liked the sections on footwork; although it takes some time and effort to wrap you mind around it. It combines pivoting and stepping for circling your opponent. The exercises on pivoting are practical, e.g. the simple one in which you’re pivoting on your front foot, resembling a clock, is one I’ve practiced and it was also recommended to me by a former pro that I’d talk to. For the other footwork drills, treat it like dance steps at first. When you begin to grasp it, gradually work it into your shadowboxing and bag work.

Regarding his take on stance, there are a few things that I don’t agree with. I don’t agree with having your chin tucked into your shoulder by default, and where he says that he’d peer in between his right thumb and fingers doesn’t make sense to me. I do like how he stands a little slanted, his shoulders off center, with his weight favoring his back foot, as this is something that has worked for me.

The sections containing counters, and throwing dynamic jabs were decent too. I just wish that there weren't so much fluff in between. That's where a sensible editor and publisher should have straightened things out.

[HerbM]

Thank you Chris -- you were of course one of the main people I was hoping would review this.

You are telling me what I need to hear. I don't want to spend any significant time doing things that are just foolish, but I do want to take as much value from his book as there is in there.

Even the fluff doesn't matter really (to me) -- it can be treated as entertainment to some degree -- as long as the style and self-aggrandizement don't indicate mere BS.

It's the old problem of not throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

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HerbM