7 Essential Professional Boxers Books for Beginners

Jack Dempsey's decades as a world heavyweight champion led to this detailed guide breaking down core boxing techniques for beginners and enthusiasts alike. You’ll gain insights into effective punching, aggressive defense, footwork, and feinting, with clear illustrations supporting each concept. The book teaches how to build confidence and skill from the ground up, making it accessible whether you’re just starting or refining your approach. Specific chapters focus on stance and the timing of punches, helping you understand the mechanics behind Dempsey’s legendary fighting style. If you want to grasp foundational boxing skills without getting overwhelmed, this book provides a straightforward pathway.

After stepping away from the ring, Sugar Ray Leonard teamed up with Michael Arkush to offer a raw look at his journey from a tough Washington, D.C. neighborhood to Olympic gold and pro boxing stardom. You get more than fight stories here; Leonard pulls back the curtain on mental health struggles, addiction, and personal flaws that shaped his life. Chapters detailing his battles with legends like Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran reveal the grit behind the glory. If you’re curious about what it really takes to rise and cope in professional boxing, this memoir delivers candid insights beyond the sport’s surface.

This tailored book explores foundational techniques essential for professional boxing beginners, designed to match your background and learning pace. It offers a clear, step-by-step introduction to core skills such as stance, footwork, punching mechanics, and defensive moves, all presented in an approachable manner to build your confidence gradually. The content focuses on your specific interests and goals, ensuring you avoid overwhelm while gaining a solid grasp of boxing basics. Through this personalized learning experience, you develop a strong and confident boxing foundation that sets the stage for ongoing improvement and enjoyment of the sport.

Elliot Worsell draws from his close relationship with David Haye to reveal the fighter's decade-long journey from amateur champion to world heavyweight contender. This book offers you detailed narratives of pivotal matches and the personal challenges behind Haye's rise, including his high-profile 2011 bout with Wladimir Klitschko. You'll gain insights into the strategies, controversies, and mindset that shaped one of Britain's most influential boxers. If you're keen to understand the career trajectory and inner workings of professional boxing through a firsthand perspective, this account provides an accessible, engaging look without overwhelming technical jargon.

Howard Schatz's decades of experience as a photographer with a medical background gave him a unique perspective when he immersed himself in professional boxing. Over six years, he captured not just the physicality but the intense human drama of the sport through powerful portraits and interviews with fighters, trainers, and promoters. You learn to see boxing beyond the punches, understanding its theatrical nature and the complex personalities that define it. This book suits anyone fascinated by the sport’s visual and emotional depth rather than technical training, offering a striking blend of art and sport through 256 oversized pages rich with images and commentary.

When Allen Bodner first realized the rich history of Jewish dominance in early 20th-century professional boxing, he set out to document an overlooked era through firsthand accounts and personal experience. You learn not just about the fights, but the lives of these athletes beyond the ring—how boxing served as a path for immigrant Jews to advance economically and socially. Chapters reveal nuanced perspectives, like the use of Stars of David on boxing gear as pride despite later bans, and the diverse post-boxing careers of these fighters. This book suits anyone curious about sports history with a cultural lens, offering a deep dive into boxing's ethnic dynamics rather than training techniques or fight strategies.

This personalized book explores foundational to advanced concepts in boxing conditioning, crafted specifically to match your experience and goals. It covers essential strength, agility, and endurance training tailored to your unique skill level, ensuring a gradual and confident learning progression. The book delves into drills that build boxing-specific power while emphasizing recovery and injury prevention, all focused on your individual path. By tailoring content around your background and desired pace, it removes overwhelm and promotes mastery through targeted practice. This approach creates a focused, engaging training journey that prepares you comprehensively for the demands of professional boxing.

What started as an effort to highlight an overlooked heavyweight contender became a detailed chronicle of Joe Jennette's boxing career and the social challenges he faced. Joe Botti, a seasoned boxing coach and former amateur boxer, traces Jennette's fights against legends like Jack Johnson and Sam Langford, revealing both his skill and the racial barriers that kept him from a title shot. You’ll gain insights into early 20th-century boxing culture, the era's racial dynamics, and Jennette’s endurance in the sport's longest contest. This book suits anyone interested in boxing history, social issues in sports, or inspiring stories of perseverance.

This book offers a focused look at Anthony Joshua's rise as a heavyweight boxing champion, penned by George Israel U. who captures Joshua's journey from Olympic gold medalist to world titleholder with clarity. You’ll find detailed accounts of his major fights, like the 2017 bout against Wladimir Klitschko, highlighting his technique and resilience. The text suits newcomers curious about professional boxing careers, providing insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Though concise at 40 pages, it delivers a solid overview of Joshua’s career milestones and what sets him apart in the heavyweight division.