When the Heavyweight Title Mattered

When the Heavyweight Title Mattered PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476637318
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The world heavyweight boxing championship once transcended the sport, conferring global renown. This book gives detailed coverage to five legendary championship bouts that captivated audiences worldwide. Coaxed out of retirement by the press, former champ James J. Jeffries challenged black titleholder Jack Johnson--universally despised by white audiences--in 1910, in hopes of returning the title to the white race. In 1921, dapper World War I hero and light-heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier hoped to upset heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey, widely considered a draft-dodger, in a fight that garnered the first "million dollar gate." In perhaps the most politically charged bout ever, "Brown Bomber" Joe Louis, popular with both white and black America, faced Nazi Germany's Max Schmeling--the first ever to win the title by disqualification--at a sold-out Yankee stadium in 1938. A relentless brawler, undefeated Rocky Marciano in 1952 sought to bludgeon the title away from the more experienced and savvier Joe Walcott, at 38 the oldest heavyweight champ in history. In a monumental clash of two undefeated world champions, Muhammad Ali--on the comeback trail after his title was stripped from him for refusing to be drafted during the Vietnam War--squared off with titleholder Joe Frazier in 1971.

When the Heavyweight Title Mattered

When the Heavyweight Title Mattered PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476637318
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Get Book Here

Book Description
The world heavyweight boxing championship once transcended the sport, conferring global renown. This book gives detailed coverage to five legendary championship bouts that captivated audiences worldwide. Coaxed out of retirement by the press, former champ James J. Jeffries challenged black titleholder Jack Johnson--universally despised by white audiences--in 1910, in hopes of returning the title to the white race. In 1921, dapper World War I hero and light-heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier hoped to upset heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey, widely considered a draft-dodger, in a fight that garnered the first "million dollar gate." In perhaps the most politically charged bout ever, "Brown Bomber" Joe Louis, popular with both white and black America, faced Nazi Germany's Max Schmeling--the first ever to win the title by disqualification--at a sold-out Yankee stadium in 1938. A relentless brawler, undefeated Rocky Marciano in 1952 sought to bludgeon the title away from the more experienced and savvier Joe Walcott, at 38 the oldest heavyweight champ in history. In a monumental clash of two undefeated world champions, Muhammad Ali--on the comeback trail after his title was stripped from him for refusing to be drafted during the Vietnam War--squared off with titleholder Joe Frazier in 1971.

Cold War on Ice

Cold War on Ice PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476651302
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 227

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Book Description
Between December 28, 1975, and January 11, 1976, a groundbreaking hockey event took place: Super Series '76. Eight National Hockey League clubs each hosted a single exhibition game against one of two touring teams from the USSR: Central Red Army or Wings of the Soviet. Officially nothing was at stake, but serious hockey fans realized that a Cold War clash of political ideologies was occurring on North American ice surfaces. The top pro teams would finally meet the best "amateurs" from the Soviet Elite League. The reputations of the NHL and Soviet hockey were both on the line. Canadians already knew how strong the Soviets were, based on the eye-opening experiences of both countries' hockey stars in the 1972 and 1974 Summit Series. For many Americans, however, the talents of the exotic, Eastern Bloc visitors provided a stunning revelation. This book outlines the history of the intense Canada-USSR hockey rivalry that preceded Super Series '76 and then focuses on those eight captivating games in New York, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Buffalo, Boston, Chicago, Long Island and Philadelphia. Two of these contests are still widely discussed today for vastly different reasons. One may have been the greatest hockey game ever played.

World Series '64

World Series '64 PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 147665431X
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
In 1964, the New York Yankees were the undisputed champions of Major League Baseball. This book presents, in all its context, the story of the upstart St. Louis Cardinals, improbable champions of the National League, taking the Bronx Bombers to game seven in a harrowing World Series that ended with the toppling of an MLB dynasty and the ascension of an exciting new St. Louis Cardinals. Herein is the story of Bob Gibson, Tim McCarver, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Richardson, and numerous others who made baseball history and captivated the public during that exciting Fall Classic.

Five Overtimes

Five Overtimes PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476652546
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The quarter century comprising the "Original Six" years of the National Hockey League is often fondly discussed by the sport's scholarly fans. However, one surprisingly underappreciated jewel from that era is the 1951 Stanley Cup final series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. It provided something never seen before in the history of the NHL and has not been seen since: every one of the five games required a dramatic sudden-death overtime period to determine a winner. This book takes an in-depth look at this exciting conclusion to the 1950-51 NHL season, as well as an examination of the two playoff semifinal series, and a general overview of the goings-on from the 210-game regular season featuring many amusing anecdotes. As an added bonus, a special chapter discusses the short life, baffling disappearance, and untimely death of Toronto defenseman Bill Barilko just four months after he notched the Cup-winning tally in April. Also examined is the recent controversy about who really possesses the historic puck with which Barilko scored his famous goal.

Amazin' Upset

Amazin' Upset PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476642907
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 217

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Book Description
In October 1969, the New York Mets stunned the sports world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in a memorable World Series. Their five-game triumph capped off a true Cinderella season, when the woebegone National League franchise rose from laughingstock to popular champions. The histories of both the Mets and Orioles are traced, along with their paths to the climactic '69 Series. A batter-by-batter recap of all five games gives a box seat view to a storied moment in baseball history.

The Mustache Gang Battles the Big Red Machine

The Mustache Gang Battles the Big Red Machine PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476646163
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
The 1972 World Series was a terrific clash between two rising Major League franchises, the Oakland A's and the Cincinnati Reds. Neither had won the pennant in decades. Twice removed from their original home in Philadelphia and unappreciated in Oakland, the A's quietly played excellent ball, their long hair and mustaches symbols of rebellion. Led by manager Sparky Anderson, the clean-cut Reds--baseball's most conservative club--were becoming a powerhouse and were the favorites entering the Series. This book chronicles both the A's and the Reds' journeys to the memorable '72 Fall Classic--where six of seven games were won by a single run--with batter-by-batter coverage of the diamond exploits of Bench, Perez, Rose, Rudi, Odom, Tenace, and others.

Amazing Alabama: a Potpourri of Fascinating Facts, Tall Tales and Storied Stories

Amazing Alabama: a Potpourri of Fascinating Facts, Tall Tales and Storied Stories PDF Author: Joseph W. Lewis Jr. M.D.
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1665503394
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 251

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Book Description
Amazing Alabama: A Potpourri of Fascinating Facts, Tall Tales and Storied Stories chronicles a brief history of the state, famous personages associated with Alabama, a discussion of state firsts, unique occurrences, antiquated laws and other fascinating topics.

The Bruins in 25 Games

The Bruins in 25 Games PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476648980
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
Having played more than 7,500 regular-season and playoff games since the franchise's inception in 1924, the Boston Bruins have become an iconic National Hockey League team boasting a sizable fan base well beyond Massachusetts. In a century of spirited play, the Bruins have brought great joy--and great disappointment--to their passionate legions of followers across North America. Twenty-five of these games are presented here, chronologically, in great detail. Most will be known to hardcore followers of the Bruins, others may be on the obscure side. All of them combine to create a tapestry of triumphs, travails, cheers and tears. The book follows the club's fortunes from the early days of Eddie Shore and Tiny Thompson, through the halcyon seasons of the Kraut Line, forward to the dominant renaissance years of the Orr-Esposito 1970s, and into the third decade of the 21st century.

Hockey's Wildest Season

Hockey's Wildest Season PDF Author: John G. Robertson
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476641250
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
The 1969-70 season marked a turning point in the history of the National Hockey League. The season began with a near fatality and it culminated on a steamy Sunday afternoon in Boston with one of the NHL's most iconic moments. In the interim, the 12 NHL clubs staged thrilling and memorable playoff races that were not decided until the final regular-season games were played. The three traditional powerhouse teams from the Original Six era faltered while former underdog clubs began to vie for top honors. Along the way, Boston's Bobby Orr made history by becoming the first defenseman to win the NHL scoring title, three aging veterans in Detroit combined to form the most effective forward line in hockey, and a rookie goalie, Tony Esposito, lifted the Chicago Black Hawks from the basement to a divisional championship. Told here are the numerous other wonderful, strange, and captivating incidents that made the fun, fascinating, and free-wheeling 53rd NHL season one for the ages.

Boxing Still Matters

Boxing Still Matters PDF Author: Bo Brumble
Publisher: Page Publishing Inc
ISBN: 1662479581
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
Boxing Still Matters is a fact-based history of professional boxing from 1981 to 2021, the years immediately following the time span covered in When Boxing Mattered, the author's first book, which focused on 1880-1980. The book utilizes a decade-by-decade approach and features the big names of the four decades covered. Marquee names, Larry Holmes, the Klitschko brothers, Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, and Vasiliy Lomachenko are all covered and accompanied by historical photographs.