Facing Tyson: Fifteen Fighters, Fifteen Stories

by Ted Kluck

Book Overview

Facing Tyson gives a ringside view of the world's most dangerous and notorious boxer. Brutal, controversial, and always newsworthy both inside and outside the ring, Mike Tyson remains a cultural icon to this day. Despite the personal, legal, and mental problems that have overshadowed his celebrated boxing career, he continues to make headlines as a fascinating, yet extremely flawed character. Several of the era's biggest names in boxing, including...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592289193
• ISBN13: 9781592289196
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Author Delivers What Title Promises...

I have to be honest, I picked up this book for one reason: Ted Kluck told me to. Okay, well that was the start, then I learned of the 5 books that Kluck has written that this was his favorite and I, like every other kid in the 80s, loved to watch the craziness that was named Mike Tyson. I was pretty interested in reading this book as it was a book about an icon of my growing up and it was done by a Christian author. And when I say Christian author, I mean an actual Christian, not one looking for a niche market. Mike Tyson, for me growing up, was this almost unreal demi god, like a Zeus or something, because I was a poor white kid in Oklahoma. Putting it simple, I was a poor PK and we could barely afford bread, much less $50 for pay per view. So, I would try and tag along anytime I could to watch the craziness of Tyson and the thirty or so seconds that he boxed before he nearly killed the poor schmuck that was in the ring with him. I am honestly not a huge boxing fan, but was a huge Tyson fan. Well, as huge as I could be without taking my eyes off of the Boz and the Sooners. Needless to say, I was really excited to read about these opponents of Tyson and the stories they would tell about the man that beat their face in. The book is old school. Ted Kluck does something that is just not seen these days. He flew and drove around the nation to try, as much as possible, to meet these boxers where they currently live and work. He really tried to get into their lives as they are now lived. So much so, that at times Kluck's wife and kid came along for the ride. But, the best story by far is when he was riding with a crazy Pinklon Thomas. Thomas' wife was in the front seat and Kluck and Pinklon's daughters in the back seat. There is an hilarious exchange as Kluck spouts off some hip hop lyrics, as the radio is blaring, while arguments are exchanged with Thomas and his daughters all while Thomas speeds through traffic and yelling at other drivers. Whatever Kluck could do for an interview, I guess. Because of this, it was hilarious and made the book a whole lot better because of his hands on approach to interviewing these boxers. The book is set up with 15 interviews of boxers that faced Tyson. The interviews were for the purpose of seeing what these guys were up to now and then any information that they would like to share about Tyson and their fight. It didn't seem like Kluck had anything in particular he wanted from the fighter about Tyson, just any information that they would like to share. I am guessing that this loose approach (which wasn't bad) was partly because it was hard getting retired boxers to give out their stories about Tyson for free. Most still looking to make cash, not off of their skills, but through the man that gave them their name...Tyson. I can't imagine the frustration that Kluck ran against. He does share some of it in his book with no-shows, runarounds and just plain craziness from some of these boxers. This book will seriousl

What happens after fighting Tyson?

Ted Kluck's Facing Tyson: Fifteen Fighters, Fifteen Stories ought to be required reading for anyone seeking a license to box. For the better part of two decades, Mike Tyson was the most famous fighter on the planet. Perhaps with more disciplined training later in his career, he could have been the best heavyweight ever. With a combination of speed, power and head movement, he sent bigger guys to the canvass with stunning regularity (50 wins, 44 by KO). As interesting as Tyson the boxer and the personality may be, this is a book about those who were on the other side of the ring. Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Marvis Frazier and 'Bonecrusher' Smith are interviewed, among others. The best chapters are those lesser-known names that make up the crux of the pro boxing ranks. The jouyneymen who take fights for $1,000 on eight days' notice. Most forced to make a living outside boxing, but regularly risk their health for a bit of extra cash, and a chance at fame. Many of the men profiled fought Tyson in hopes of richness and fame, not caring that they were more than likely to get knocked out. Sadly, corruption, theft, drugs, women and general mismanagement ate away whatever payday they got for facing the human tank in the ring. Boxing is not for everyone. Even with all the natural gifts (athleticism, speed, power, etc.), without good training and excellent conditioning, a guy can get killed. This is a sport that should be more popular than football, were it not for the paper champions, pay-per-view business scheme and lack of a credible organization behind it. Kluck's work is a warning to every would-be boxer. We have only to look at the Tyson example for what can go wrong, even to one as Tyson, blessed with eye-popping skill.

Fast read

This book was a very fast read for me. I finished it in a few days and would have done so quicker if I hadn't had to read it at Barnes and Noble. It really does give you a good feel of fighters' attitudes before they fought Tyson, and gives great insight into the personalities of the guys that fought Tyson. Furthermore, it tells what these men are up to now (Tony Tubbs = still fighting at 47, Bonecrusher Smith, selling cruise vacation packages, Peter McNeely, doing blue collar labor, Marvis Frazier, running the family gym with a positive outlook on life).

Fighting Tyson

This is a fantastic book. The author not only brought the fighters to life but, also gave a view of Tyson that was fresh. The book was interesting and easy to read with the "storytelling" that made you feel like you were part of the interviews.