Inside the Ropes - Softcover

Mercante, Arthur; Guarnieri, Phil

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590131401 ISBN 13: 9781590131404

Publisher: McBooks Press, 2007

Synopsis

Inside stories of some of the greatest prizefights of all time, including Floyd Patterson–Ingemar Johansson II, Joe Frazier–George Foreman I, and The Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier I. Referee and elder statesman of boxing Arthur Mercante gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into his world and into the lives and careers of the greatest boxers of all time. Mercante has officiated more championship fights than any other referee, and his blow-by-blow accounts are peppered with grit and telling details.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Inside stories of some the greatest prizefights of all time, including Floyd Patterson-Ingemar Johansson II, Joe Frazier-George Foreman I, and the Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier I.

Referee and elder statesman of boxing Arthur Mercante gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into his world, and into the lives and careers of the greatest boxers of all time. From Jack Dempsey to Muhammad Ali, to George Foreman and Marvin Hagler: Mercante has known them all. He has officiated more championship fights than any other referee, and his blow-by-blow accounts are peppered with grit and telling details as he analyzes what went right for the winners-and what went so wrong for the losers.

But Mercante shares private moments as well. Making a commercial with Rocky Graziano, giving Sugar Ray Leonard a serious pep-talk in the dressing room before a bout, discovering to his surprise that Mike Tyson is a fan of his, these are the stories behind the glamour and the grit. Some are even the stories of an era: When asked by Producer David Susskind to assist in casting the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight by choosing the up-and-coming boxer most likely to become the next Heavyweight Champion of the World, Mercante shows up at Susskind's office with a young Cassius Clay in tow-and the rest is history.

This is the Sweet Science as only Arthur Mercante knows it-the thrilling human drama that is boxing at its best!

From the Back Cover:

"One of the good guys in boxing, one of the most knowledgeable and certainly one of the greatest referees ever, has written a terrific book about what he knows best." -Tony Danza

"I really enjoyed this book! Arthur Mercante is one of the best referees of all time, and Inside the Ropes shows you why." -Jake LaMotta

"Arthur Mercante takes you on a fascinating journey behind the scenes of some of boxing's biggest superstars . . . If you want to get a real taste of boxing give yourself a treat and read Inside the Ropes!" -Sugar Ray Leonard

"Whenever Mercante was in the ring you were guaranteed a well-refereed bout. He kept the action going!" -Angelo Dundee

"In the often-sleazy world of professional boxing, Arthur Mercante has always been an authoritative voice, fair-minded, and a man of integrity. Inside the Ropes lives up to that standard." -Thomas Hauser, noted boxing journalist and author of Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times

"Arthur Mercante has generally been regarded as the greatest third man in the ring. He's the Babe Ruth of referees, and when you read this book you will understand what I mean." -Bill Gallo, assoc. sports editor, New York Daily News.

About this edition

• Publisher: McBooks Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1590131401
• ISBN 13: 9781590131404
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 230