As a voice for generations, Jim Lampley is to current boxing fans, what Don Dunphy was to our grandparents. Simply, the voice. This book is Lampley’s blow-by-blow account of the evolution of sports television. From history-making events, and never-before-told stories from the world of sports to an insider’s view of Lampley’s incredible career, it is enlightening and entertaining. I didn’t purchase it because he was the first live reporter on the sideline of a nationally televised college football game, or because he followed in the footsteps of Jim McKay as host on ABC’s Wide World of Sports and Howard Cosell as halftime host for ABC’s Monday Night Football. I bought it for the boxing. And I wanted more and more boxing. It Happened! tells most, but not all, yet I still enjoyed it.
From HBO's ringside face and voice of boxing, comes a first-person, blow-by-blow account of the evolution of sports television chock full of famous names, history-making events, and never-before-told stories from the world of sports.
Jim Lampley's story is a 50-year travelog of an unlikely career that catalogs the evolution of sports television—from his emergence as the first sideline reporter, through hosting and covering 14 Olympics, to working with all major sports networks.
It Happened! charts Jim's notable career, with highlights including:
Becoming the first live reporter on the sideline of a nationally televised college football game
Following in the footsteps…
Yes, I miss the man who put the sugar in the “Sweet Science,” but I am not alone. As Sugar always told me this book is an argument, so take a stand. What were the ten most fantastic knockouts in boxing history? Which pugilist had the greatest jab of all time? What were the sport's most intense rivalries? These questions and many others are answered in this bold collection of ranked lists from two of boxing's most popular commentators. I do like that it included many original lists contributed exclusive to this book by more than 25 top personalities from boxing and beyond, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and more. Yes, it is beginning to get a bit dated, yet it remains an entertaining read.
What were the ten most fantastic knockouts in boxing history? Which pugilist had the greatest jab of all time? What were the sport's most intense rivalries? Who scored the biggest upsets in the sport's annals? Which fighters have the best nicknames? These questions and many others are answered in this bold collection of ranked lists from two of boxing's most popular commentators. Each list has an introductory paragraph followed by a number of ranked entries, with each entry featuring a brief explanation of ranking plus entertaining and enlightening background information. Also included are original lists contributed exclusive to this book…
As an autobiographical approach to fiction, which is never easy, I really enjoyed this book. As one of Connecticut’s finest referees, Cusano takes you inside his world. It’s about how a love for the sport, nurtured in a small Italian American community, can lead to a remarkable life filled with unforgettable experiences. Along the way, the author encountered many remarkable individuals…fellow referees, fighters, and mentors, who have shaped him, and if you know boxing, shaped his characters. It is a story that transcends the sport itself, offering a glimpse into the universal themes, ambition, perseverance, and the enduring power of human connection. As a short and enjoyable read, pick it up.
This story is not simply about a boxing referee. It’s a testament to the enduring power of passion, the value of dedication, and the beauty of connection. It’s about how a love for the sport, nurtured in a small Italian American community can lead to a remarkable life filled with unforgettable experiences. From the echoes of boxing legends in my father’s barber shop to the roar of the crowd at Madison Square Garden, my journey has been a tapestry woven with threads of sweat, laughter, and unwavering commitment.Along the way, I’ve encountered remarkable individual…fellow referees, fighters, and mentors, who have…
True stories about real life giant killers aren’t easy to find. Yet, finally, after years of research, Jack Dillon: A Biography of Boxing's Giant Killer is a reality. Sturdy, compact and indestructible, yet capable of turning on a dime, Jack Dillon not only defeated his opponents, he humiliated them. In the weight sensitive sport of boxing, Jack Dillon, was considered an anomaly. Size was irrelevant; besides, it was only a factor if he accepted as such. He refused. This dynamic defined Dillon’s prolific and unparalleled career (1908-1925). His accepted record of 94-7-14, with 129 no decisions and one no contest (64 victories by way of knockout), put him in elite company with other members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This comprehensive resource is his first, and only biography. While there will never be another Jack Dempsey, Dillon was the closest the sport had prior to the emergence of “The Manassa Mauler.”
