Legends of the Ring: Great American Boxers

By: David L. Hudson

Narrated by: David L. Hudson

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive series on America’s boxing greats by a renowned boxing expert, author of over 40 books and world champion boxing judge.

The bare-knuckle boxer John L. Sullivan in the late 1800s, the ferocious fists of “Iron” Mike Tyson in the 1980s, the culture shock of the legendary Jack Johnson, the worldwide phenomenon of Muhammad Ali - the sport of boxing has shaped American culture for more than a century.

No sport is more enthralling than boxing - called “the noble art” and the “sweet science”. As famed boxing announcer Larry Merchant once noted, boxing is the “theater of the unexpected”. Its storied history has seen momentous bouts, the breakdown of racial barriers, and fights of the century. In this thrilling 18-part audio series, the inimitable David L. Hudson, Jr. takes you on a thrilling ringside ride. You’ll explore the rich history of the sport, its greatest heavyweight champions, controversial decisions, historic upsets, and much more.

Along the way, you will hear the sagas of such luminaries as Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson. Other lectures include segments on controversial decisions, great ring tragedies, ring weirdness, and bare-knuckle boxing. You don’t want to miss this revelatory, no-holds-barred exploration of boxing.

This course is part of the Learn25 Collection.

©2019 Now You Know Media (P)2019 Now You Know Media

The Entire American Boxing History

I tried many sports as a kid and a teenager. I played football, basketball, running, and swimming. However, boxing was the best thing I have ever tried. I still love it and when I have free time, I watch Muhammad Ali boxing matches.

This course is the best thing I have ever discovered on Audible. Of course, I know Muhammad Ali story by the heart. However, I did not know too much about other events and boxers and I always looked for a source to give me all this information until I found this treasure.

My routine was listening to each chapter then searching for more information about the boxer(s), matches, events, etc. David Hudson did a great job. His voice made me imagine the events while listening to each chapter. He did not only tell the stories of great boxers, but the whole American history of boxing including great matches, events, decisions, places, and many more.

As a boxing judge, David managed to tell the stories like someone who watched the events in front of his eyes. His voice is full of passion, you will notice this while listening.

I enjoyed this course more than anything and I recommend it for anyone who wants to know more about boxing or if you are passionate about boxing like me.

Thank you, David!

Semi-basic history of boxing

I am an obsessive boxing fan who reads anything on boxing history, biography that i can find. these lectures are very cool, some of it is basic mainstream knowledge of things or ppl in boxing (bite fight, Ali exile) but i learned plenty here and really enjoyed the lectures. i wish it wasnt over!

This textbook is a must for boxing fans

As a fan of the sport this covers the history you already know and want retold by an expert. Also there's a lot of additional elements that we never consider in the sport that Mr. Hudson covers. There understandably will be a lot repetition when it comes to the topic of Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, but keep in mind that this is more of a textbook than a non-fiction novel. Mr. Hudson might not be the greatest audiobook performer, but I don't think I would want someone else to read his book.

Worth the Effort

I strongly recommend this one. I rarely listen to audio books but this one kept me entertained and inspired while staying at home. The author has a clear, deep Southern drawl like Sam Elliott. He introduces the reader to notable pugilists including Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. He also shares colorful stories from his career as a boxing judge. You will go the distance!

Boxing and history

Boxing is one of those sports that's filled with drama, no matter which way you look at it. It's in the ring, it's behind the scenes, it's in the politics of it, the daily life of the boxers, everywhere. It's not coincidence so many great movies are based around the boxing genre.

But who knew the history can also be so fascinating?

In this book, I learned so much about what boxing represented and how it developed. I always saw it as guys punching each other, but they could also include other things. The racial conflicts, the conflicts between nations, and the personal conflicts between egos.

Highly recommended!

Brilliant and Informative

Whether you are an intense lover of Boxing or just wish you know more about the industry and its participants, Hudson is bound to please with this masterpiece. Hudson clearly defines the evolution of Boxing while delving into cultural and racial barriers with which its participants struggled. One will learn about personal demons of Boxing champs such as having been abandoned on the side of the road at the age of 4 to losing the privilege to fight based on unwillingness to be the black man sent by white man to fight the yellow man. This book of gathered facts and information is sure to please any who take to time to explore.

Hudson's a Gem

Hudson's delivery is smooth and polished. As an accomplished boxing judge, you get the sense Hudson really knows and loves 'The Sweet Science.' This program is packed with fascinating anecdotes about some of America's most well known fighters and biggest title bouts.

Packs a punch!

Hudson is one of those rare sports writers with a true sense for historic greatness. From boxing's bareknuckle beginnings through its modern developments, you'll meet the great champions, explore the controversial decisions, and find out why boxing is called "the theatre of the unexpected." Whether or not you are a major boxing fan, you'll find these talks engaging.

great summary of the sport as we currently know it

the "lectures" are great but he reads them so slowly that I had to listen at 2x speed.

Horrible Narrator

this absolutely the worse narration of all time.i can't listen to this toneless emotionless droning!!!! bad research, lots of bad facts, wrong dates and names!!! do not purchase. wish I hadn't