Thomas Myler (The sweet science goes sour)

[BoxBuzz]

Very much like this book, anyone else ever read it? I understand he went to great pains to get to the bottom of a lot of myths and facts regarding some of the more notorious question marks in the history of the sport. Quick read and very entertaining.

[jaclem2]

...i always feel sorry for buzzy when he introduces a thread and no one makes any posts on it....so here's one..

well, actually i am curious about this book so i'd like to know more about it..how old...whatever...it's really hard for me to conceive of a book that box buzz has read that i haven't (this goes for books other than boxing too)...so i want to get hold of this exception to the norm..

[Collins2000]

Boxbuzz, enlighten us. How did he get to the bottom of a lot of myths?

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Very much like this book, anyone else ever read it? I understand he went to great pains to get to the bottom of a lot of myths and facts regarding some of the more notorious question marks in the history of the sport. Quick read and very entertaining.

- Myler is a fine author in general and I enjoyed his Century of Boxing Greats. SSGS doesn't interest me.

I've already looked extensively into what he addresses and I don't see any new info he's uncovered, but then mine was a quick scan. Perhaps a jewel is there for me to find someday.

The myths and question marks will always remain because it's in the interests of boxing to keep the waters muddied so that a clear view of dishonest brokers is difficult, the cancellation of two high profile heavy bouts this month being a recent case in point.

Average fan is not a logic and fact based individual and is gonna believe in what he believes regardless of the evidence. This can be seen on this board regarding the scoring of Cooney/Holmes as another case in point where significant numbers of posters simply chose to ignore basic 2nd grade arithmetic.

[-KOKid-]

If you liked "The Sweet Science Goes Sour" (also published under the tilte "Boxing's Hall of Shame"), you will probably love "Boxing Babylon" by Nigel Collins.
Similar stuff, but better written.

I believe Thomas Myler is the brother of Patrick Myler, who is the more accalimed author and historian of the two.
It was Patrick, not Thomas, who wrote "A Century of Boxing Greats", which by the way, many consider a rather poor piece of work by him.
Patrick's other works - "Ring of Hate", "Gentleman Jim", "The Fighting Irish" and "Regency Rouge" (bio on Irish bare-knuckle legend Dan Donnelly) - are all critically acclaimed and good reading.

As far as I know, Thomas Myler's only other book than "The Sweet Science Goes Sour", was "Boxing's Greatest Upsets".

[BoxBuzz]

Boxbuzz, enlighten us. How did he get to the bottom of a lot of myths?

It appears he may have used a three prong approach, he used a bathasphere for the deep water expeditions, and on those occasions where that didn't produce transparency he went directly to barry to get the facts. of the matter. When all else failed I suspect he gave you the call. Your humility will keep you from taking any credit I"m sure.

OK one of the secret reasons I liked it is that one always likes to read something that confirms their own suspicions, so I was happy to read that Primo's record continues to collapse and fold like an accordian under any genuine scrutiny.

[Collins2000]

Boxbuzz, enlighten us. How did he get to the bottom of a lot of myths?

It appears he may have used a three prong approach, he used a bathasphere for the deep water expeditions, and on those occasions where that didn't produce transparency he went directly to barry to get the facts. of the matter. When all else failed I suspect he gave you the call. Your humility will keep you from taking any credit I"m sure.

Strange reply from a strange old pudendum.

Especially the mention of Baz. He must really be dead for you to dare to take his name in vain.

[Big Ste]

A cracking book is MIKE SILVER'S The Arc of Boxing-The rise and fall of the sweet science
One of the best.