Boxing and the Mob

The Notorious History of the Sweet Science

By: Jeffrey Sussman

Narrated by: David Marantz

More than any other sport, boxing has a history of being easy to rig. There are only two athletes and one or both may be induced to accept a bribe; if not the fighters, then the judges or referee might be swayed. In such inviting circumstances, the mob moved into boxing in the 1930s and profited by corrupting a sport ripe for exploitation.

In Boxing and the Mob: The Notorious History of the Sweet Science, Jeffrey Sussman tells the story of the coercive and criminal underside of boxing, covering nearly the entire 20th century. He profiles some of its most infamous characters, such as Owney Madden, Frankie Carbo, and Frank Palermo, and details many of the fixed matches in boxing's storied history. In addition, Sussman examines the influence of the mob on legendary boxers-including Primo Carnera, Sugar Ray Robinson, Max Baer, Carmen Basilio, Sonny Liston, and Jake LaMotta-and whether they caved to the mobsters' threats or refused to throw their fights.

Boxing and the Mob is the first book to cover a century of fixed fights, paid-off referees, greedy managers, misused boxers, and the mobsters who controlled it all. True crime and the world of boxing are intertwined with absorbing detail in this notorious piece of American history.

©2019 Jeffrey Sussman (P)2019 Tantor

Very good

this book did not disappoint in any way. Very revealing . the chronology was clear and relevant to the book. the narration was spot on. Not once did the narrator annoy me or become a distraction. 5 stars from me in all categories.

The Fix is In

This is an amazing book that sheds a spotlight on some of the most fascinating stories from the darkest corners of the history of the sweet science. Any boxing or mob history aficionado will love it.

Brilliant

I loved this book. It presents an objective and historically encompassing view of a fascinating, semi-hidden force, pulling the strings behind curtains that we all suspect know are there but cannot articulate clearly. The author is not pretentious or presumptive and clearly states when he doesn’t know something. I truly appreciate this account of the last century of a sport that continually influences our culture.

A very interesting look at the sweet science of boxing an organized crime

This was a particularly interesting book. When I was younger, I was a huge boxing fan. My step grandfather used to tell me stories about gangsters like Lucky Luciano, and boxers like Jake, LaMotta and Carmen Basilio.. I think anybody with an interest in boxing, for the history of organized crime in this country would find this book as interesting as I did

Great Book

Extremely well researched entertaining history of Mafia involvement in the sport of boxing, the corruption, payoffs, and of course whackings, all the usual suspects are here, Frankie Carbo, Owney Madden, and more.