I started
following boxing with the emergence of Cassius Clay in the
early 1960's. Whether you liked Clay or not he must be given
credit for revamping the business of boxing. He was to boxing
what the Beatles were to music. Clay, who would later become
Muhammad Ali, changed the face of the sport.
Renown trainer Angelo Dundee was there to witness the
colorful, radical and turbulent times of Clay/Ali. In
Angelo's new book, "My View From The Corner," he takes us
along for the ride with Ali and the rest of his entourage and
it was one heck of a ride. Angelo is one of the most respected
men in boxing and through this book you could see why. His
sincere and honest outlook on everything he has witnessed in
the fight game comes shining through.
From Angelo's early beginnings as promoter-brother Chris
Dundee's "go fer," through his association with the great
Carmen Basilio, Chris Dundee's "kid brother" began to carve
his own way. He listened and learned from the best of
the old school trainers like Ray Arcel, Whitey Bimstien and
Charley Goldman. Little by little he rose to the forefront of
his profession; working with the likes of Willie Pastrano,
Ralph Dupas, Luis Rodriguez and eventually Ali and a host of
others. This book took me through the history of the era I
grew up in, from the post-Ali period to Angelo's time working
with Sugar Ray Leonard. Angelo Dundee has been a major player
in boxing's big picture for decades.
To me this was a "must read" and it brought back a lot of fond
memories. I highly recommend this fine book.
Jim Amato
