Synopses & Reviews
From a referee who officiated more championship fights than any other, this thrilling account provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of professional boxing and into the lives and careers of the greatest boxers of all time. Blow-by-blow accountsfeaturing such greats as Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, and George Foremanare peppered with grit and telling details and also feature a professionals analysis of what went right for the winners, and wrong for the losers. With intriguing anecdotes drawn from a career lasting more than 50 yearsincluding giving Sugar Ray Leonard a pep-talk moments before a boutthis autobiography is a must-have for any fan of the sweet science.
Review
"If you want a real taste of boxing give yourself a treat and read Inside the Ropes!" —Sugar Ray Leonard
Review
"One of the greatest referees ever has written a terrific book about what he knows best." —Tony Danza
Review
"I really enjoyed this book. Arthur Mercante is one of the best referees of all time and Inside the Ropes shows you why." —Jake LaMotta
Synopsis
A behind-the-scenes tour of the boxing world from the perspective of a beloved retired referee traces the careers of such athletes as Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and Sugar Ray Leonard, sharing vivid accounts of memorable championships as well as an array of personal stories, from the author's visit to Jack Dempsey's restaurant to Rocky Graziano's haphazard radio commercial recording session.
Synopsis
Inside stories of some of the greatest prizefights of all time, including Floyd PattersonIngemar Johansson II, Joe FrazierGeorge Foreman I, and The Fight of the Century: Muhammad AliJoe Frazier I. Referee and elder statesman of boxing Arthur Mercante gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into his world and into the lives and careers of the greatest boxers of all time. Mercante has officiated more championship fights than any other referee, and his blow-by-blow accounts are peppered with grit and telling details.
About the Author
Arthur Mercante has been a professional referee since the 1940s and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995. Besides officiating Muhammad AliJoe Frazier I, he has been the third man in the ring for championship bouts featuring George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roy Jones Jr., and Shane Mosley, among others. He lives in Garden City, New York. Phil Guarnieri has written articles on boxing for The Ring magazine. He lives in Floral Park, New York. Bert Randolph Sugar in the former editor of Boxing Illustrated and The Ring. He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. He lives in New York City.