New Book - Pugilatus - Ted Spoon

[Ted Spoon]

On Ric's instruction.

It is with no small amount of pleasure that I announce the release of my new book Pugilatus, available here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pugilatus-Ted-S ... =pugilatus

Reaching from Jack Broughton to Froch-Groves, this ambitious project intends to open eyes as well as entertain.

Books on the history of the sport tend to be disjointed, cluttered, and rarely provide anything more than an introduction. Pugilatus formally introduces you to our bare-fisted pioneers, ties the last generation onto a blooming Queensberry scene and then proceeds to carefully juxtapose fighters and themes right up to 2013.

You’re going to get a real sense of progression and intimacy. It’s fighting styles over records. Relevance over quantity. And all this plays its part in supporting the main drive of the book; boxing, despite its many tweaks, is ultimately a homogenous sport. Each era has deep similarities.

In the final chapter await 15 fight stories. I dare say these will be the most in-depth fight reports you’ll ever read.

[BoxBuzz]

For all it's waxing and waning in popularity through the years, it is interesting that the sport of boxing, continuously touts the sporting world's highest paid athlete.

[palooka]

Well done Ted it looks like a real labour of love, hope you enjoyed the toil. I'll give it a look over

[Sklar]

Is the fellow on the left Daniel Mendoza?

[Datsue]

Is the fellow on the left Daniel Mendoza?

Looks like him to me.


Every painting/illustration I've ever seen of the fella shows him orthodox, when in his training manual, "Observations On The Art Of Pugilism" he's quite adamant that he's naturally a southpaw & that switching back & forth should be practised by all boxers, to maximise their defensive abilities.

The first principle in boxing, to be established, is to be perfectly master of the equilibrium of the body, so as to be able to change from a right to a left handed position, to advance or retreat, striking or parrying; & to throw the body either backward or forward, without difficulty or embarrassment.

[evrenb]

Wasnt he related to Peter Sellers??

[Ted Spoon]

Looks like him to me.


Every painting/illustration I've ever seen of the fella shows him orthodox, when in his training manual, "Observations On The Art Of Pugilism" he's quite adamant that he's naturally a southpaw & that switching back & forth should be practised by all boxers, to maximise their defensive abilities.

The first principle in boxing, to be established, is to be perfectly master of the equilibrium of the body, so as to be able to change from a right to a left handed position, to advance or retreat, striking or parrying; & to throw the body either backward or forward, without difficulty or embarrassment.

That's right. Mendoza urged his students to switch their stances which were known as 'attitudes'.

Jack Broughton also championed this.

William 'Bendigo' Thompson is perhaps the first champion who popularised the southpaw as it was his preferred stance.

[Sklar]

Whilst we're on the subject, if anybody ever hears about or has (to sell) a first edition of any of Mendoza's books - or any other pre-1920 boxing/pugilism books - please PM me.

[Ted Spoon]

Well done Ted it looks like a real labour of love, hope you enjoyed the toil. I'll give it a look over

Cheers Palooka.

It definitely was/is, though not unlike a fight it can take you to the brink.

[Sklar]

Wasnt he related to Peter Sellers??

Yes, although I've heard several different explantions of the excat relationship. Sellers had an engraving of Daniel in his office.

[Ted Spoon]

Positive review from Boxing Monthly:

http://s9.photobucket.com/user/TedSpoon ... w.png.html

Zoom in to read.

[Sklar]

Good stuff. Well done, Ted. I haven't picked a copy up yet, but I will.

[Ted Spoon]

If you do I hope you enjoy it.

[Ted Spoon]

Review/pseudo interview here:

http://www.boxing.com/boxing_by_the_boo ... spoon.html

Also a good review on amazon that explains the guts of the book.

[funso banjo baby]

I don't buy from amazon but it sounds good.

the bareknuckle era is great

[Boxerbeetle]

I'll definitely be getting this book, although may wait until Christmas as I have a few books to get through at the moment. Looks excellent & look forward to reading it.

[Ted Spoon]

Radio/Video interview below.

Not sure how to embed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY6An-QbDmI

[mikeycapp]

Hello Ted,

I look forward to reading your book Pugilatus I have put it at the top of my want list for Christmas so I know my wife will get it for me. I cant wait to start reading it.

Sincerely

Mikey Capp

[pound per pound]

On Ric's instruction.

It is with no small amount of pleasure that I announce the release of my new book Pugilatus, available here:

Reaching from Jack Broughton to Froch-Groves, this ambitious project intends to open eyes as well as entertain.

Books on the history of the sport tend to be disjointed, cluttered, and rarely provide anything more than an introduction. Pugilatus formally introduces you to our bare-fisted pioneers, ties the last generation onto a blooming Queensberry scene and then proceeds to carefully juxtapose fighters and themes right up to 2013.

You’re going to get a real sense of progression and intimacy. It’s fighting styles over records. Relevance over quantity. And all this plays its part in supporting the main drive of the book; boxing, despite its many tweaks, is ultimately a homogenous sport. Each era has deep similarities.

In the final chapter await 15 fight stories. I dare say these will be the most in-depth fight reports you’ll ever read.

[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a70/TedSpoon/1908616628PTO1jpeg.jpg?t=1401877663[/img]

I think I will order this book.