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Facing Ali: The Opposition Weighs in
They won, they lost, they were scorned or cheered, but they got in the ring with the champ, and every fighter who got into the ring with Muhammad Ali shone brighter as a result. No life or career could be the same afterwards. Facing Ali is the an engaging portrait of this boxing phenomenon as told by 15 of his opponents—an incredible cross-section that reveals Ali as never before.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2002
8 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Brunt
23 books17 followersStephen Brunt is a Canadian sports journalist, well known as a current columnist for Sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet, and as co-host to Jeff Blair on Writers Bloc alongside Richard Deitsch.
Brunt started at The Globe as an arts intern in 1982, after attending journalism school at the University of Western Ontario. He then worked in news, covering the 1984 election, and began to write for the sports section in 1985. His 1988 series on negligence and corruption in boxing won him the Michener Award for public service journalism. In 1989, he became a sports columnist.
Nominated for several National Newspaper Awards, Brunt is also the author of seven books. His work Facing Ali, published in 2003, was named one of the ten best sports books of the year by Sports Illustrated. Brunt makes frequent appearances on sports talk radio shows such as Prime Time Sports and Melnick in the Afternoon on the Team 990 in Montreal. He has been the lead sports columnist for The Globe and Mail since 1989 and was a frequent sports panelist on TVOntario's now-defunct current affairs programme Studio 2. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
He currently resides with his wife, Jeannie, in Hamilton, Ontario, spending much of his summer vacation in Winterhouse Brook, Newfoundland.
Brunt started at The Globe as an arts intern in 1982, after attending journalism school at the University of Western Ontario. He then worked in news, covering the 1984 election, and began to write for the sports section in 1985. His 1988 series on negligence and corruption in boxing won him the Michener Award for public service journalism. In 1989, he became a sports columnist.
Nominated for several National Newspaper Awards, Brunt is also the author of seven books. His work Facing Ali, published in 2003, was named one of the ten best sports books of the year by Sports Illustrated. Brunt makes frequent appearances on sports talk radio shows such as Prime Time Sports and Melnick in the Afternoon on the Team 990 in Montreal. He has been the lead sports columnist for The Globe and Mail since 1989 and was a frequent sports panelist on TVOntario's now-defunct current affairs programme Studio 2. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
He currently resides with his wife, Jeannie, in Hamilton, Ontario, spending much of his summer vacation in Winterhouse Brook, Newfoundland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 21, 2019
Boxing makes for great writing. The characters are fascinating. (There's no such thing as a boring boxer.) The settings are often grand or grim, but never forgettable. And there's always violence. Whenever you're trying to make a story memorable, it helps to have violence.
Sure, boxing writing attracts its share of hacks and has its cliches. But it's one of the few times in sports (hell, in human experience) where the hyperbole is often merited. A punch to the face or liver is unsubtle -- so is the puncher, usually.
That's why Stephen Brunt's "Facing Ali" is so surprising. It's not great because he talks to a few of the best boxers ever (along with some farther down the pantheon) and gets memorable anecdotes from nearly all of them.
It's not even because he's talking to them about Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest performers and most memorable characters in the sport's history.
No, "Facing Ali" is remarkable for Brunt's restraint (which is not a word we often associate with boxing or the people who write about it.) Brunt talks to 15 of the professionals who boxed Ali. He asks about their recollections and their relationship with him. But this isn't an Ali biography. If anything, Ali remains a chimera here. He is 15 things to 15 different fighters. Instead, it's a collection of short stories that use Ali as a link to connect them.
And Brunt, more often than not, allows these men to tell their own story, only dropping into to fact-check the occasional boast.
Some of the best stories are from boxers you never think about, except in the context of Ali. With all due respect to Foreman and Frazier, you're familiar with their stories if you're reading this book. Brunt shares their perspectives with sensitivity (both Frazier's vitriol and Foreman's contentment,) but you can also find their stories elsewhere.
But whither Jurgen Blin? He's a footnote to fight fans, but Brunt will take you to his wurst stand and introduce you to his unwell son. Afterward, you'll never forget him. Similarly, if you're not from Toronto, there's a good chance you've never considered George Chuvalo. But he's experienced triumphs and tragedies that exceed almost anything you can experience in the boxing ring.
And, even if you like "Rocky," you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about Chuck Wepner and the fight that inspired Sylvester Stallone. If nothing else "Facing Ali" is worth the read for a great story that Brunt shares about Wepner's wife and a powder-blue negligee.
Taken as a piece, "Facing Ali" juxtaposes the many fates of former fighters: the few who have moved onto successful second acts or live comfortably in retirement; those looking for one final score; those who struggle with brain damage after a lifetime of pillorying; and the desperate.
It's an affecting portrait, even without the shadow of Ali.
Sure, boxing writing attracts its share of hacks and has its cliches. But it's one of the few times in sports (hell, in human experience) where the hyperbole is often merited. A punch to the face or liver is unsubtle -- so is the puncher, usually.
That's why Stephen Brunt's "Facing Ali" is so surprising. It's not great because he talks to a few of the best boxers ever (along with some farther down the pantheon) and gets memorable anecdotes from nearly all of them.
It's not even because he's talking to them about Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest performers and most memorable characters in the sport's history.
No, "Facing Ali" is remarkable for Brunt's restraint (which is not a word we often associate with boxing or the people who write about it.) Brunt talks to 15 of the professionals who boxed Ali. He asks about their recollections and their relationship with him. But this isn't an Ali biography. If anything, Ali remains a chimera here. He is 15 things to 15 different fighters. Instead, it's a collection of short stories that use Ali as a link to connect them.
And Brunt, more often than not, allows these men to tell their own story, only dropping into to fact-check the occasional boast.
Some of the best stories are from boxers you never think about, except in the context of Ali. With all due respect to Foreman and Frazier, you're familiar with their stories if you're reading this book. Brunt shares their perspectives with sensitivity (both Frazier's vitriol and Foreman's contentment,) but you can also find their stories elsewhere.
But whither Jurgen Blin? He's a footnote to fight fans, but Brunt will take you to his wurst stand and introduce you to his unwell son. Afterward, you'll never forget him. Similarly, if you're not from Toronto, there's a good chance you've never considered George Chuvalo. But he's experienced triumphs and tragedies that exceed almost anything you can experience in the boxing ring.
And, even if you like "Rocky," you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about Chuck Wepner and the fight that inspired Sylvester Stallone. If nothing else "Facing Ali" is worth the read for a great story that Brunt shares about Wepner's wife and a powder-blue negligee.
Taken as a piece, "Facing Ali" juxtaposes the many fates of former fighters: the few who have moved onto successful second acts or live comfortably in retirement; those looking for one final score; those who struggle with brain damage after a lifetime of pillorying; and the desperate.
It's an affecting portrait, even without the shadow of Ali.
January 12, 2015
A cautionary tale about the fight game. Though it is not a tale, but true accounts of the lives of 15 fighters that at some point had faced Muhammad Ali in the ring. So make that 16 fighters since you include Ali himself. The fight game is not glamorous and also not like watching an underdog story like "Rocky" -- but more like watching "Raging Bull" or "Champion." The majority of the fighters in the book had major health issues, be it memory, physical or both. Most had major financial issues being poor management and lack of skill once their fight careers were over. All of the fighters included never knew when to say enough is enough. So all made comebacks well beyond the talent they had left would carry them. Most of the fighters carry grudges or sour grapes of the "what could have beens." The only fighter interviewed for a story section that managed to keep above most of the basic fighter issues is George Foreman. As for the man him self Muhammad Ali -- it is sad in what has become of him physically. Regardless if you agree if he was the greatest fighter of all time, he was a very special athlete and figure of a different era in time. The likes of the sport or athletics in general will not likely have the opportunity to view again.
June 28, 2010
Facing Ali is more or less a collection of 15 mini biographies of 15 Muhammad Ali opponents with an emphasis on their fights with Ali. You have some of the great fighters that Ali squared off with but also some of the no hopers and opponents that he faced also. It starts with Tunny Hunsaker, who he fought in his pro debut and ends with Larry Holmes who he fought in his second to last fight. Some of these guys ended up in not the best shape financially or neurologicly but others seem to be doing well. Hunsaker is obviously brain damaged. Holmes is still bitter about not getting the credit he deserves as a great champion. Foreman comes off like a self effacing public relations man. Joe Fraizer still seems to have an underlying hatred for Ali. George Chuvalo has had unbelievable tragedy in his life. I learned a lot of interesting details about some of the European fighters Ali fought. I also wish Jimmy Ellis would have been one of the fighters featured in Facing Ali. Its not one of what I would consider one of the must read boxing history classics but overall I enjoyed reading this although he could have dug a lot deeper with some of these guys.
June 22, 2008
An interesting approach to the Greatest, interviewing a cross-section of his opponents.
The book is more interesting for the biographical snapshots of these (mostly unknown) opponents than for the insights it provides about Ali. Boxers as a group are not known for their penetrating insight, and the author/interviewer does little to coax them into meaningful reveries.
An interesting B-list read on the Sweet Science.
The book is more interesting for the biographical snapshots of these (mostly unknown) opponents than for the insights it provides about Ali. Boxers as a group are not known for their penetrating insight, and the author/interviewer does little to coax them into meaningful reveries.
An interesting B-list read on the Sweet Science.
June 4, 2020
A fascinating book of essays with the focus on a boxer who faced Ali. The book is less about the individual contests, but on the influence that fight has had on their lives.
For pretty much all of them, their fight with Ali has become the defining event in their career and their lives.
Many, in fact most, are pleased that this is the case. Most notably George Foreman whose own career story is fascinating and worthy of further study.
At the other end of the scale is Joe Frazier. Admittedly, Joe probably got the most offensive taunts from Ali but, even with that, it's notable that some of the others mention his bitterness as a disturbing feature of his personality.
So not a book if you're looking for detailed analyses of the fight but one filled with fascinating character studies.
For pretty much all of them, their fight with Ali has become the defining event in their career and their lives.
Many, in fact most, are pleased that this is the case. Most notably George Foreman whose own career story is fascinating and worthy of further study.
At the other end of the scale is Joe Frazier. Admittedly, Joe probably got the most offensive taunts from Ali but, even with that, it's notable that some of the others mention his bitterness as a disturbing feature of his personality.
So not a book if you're looking for detailed analyses of the fight but one filled with fascinating character studies.
January 2, 2020
Interesting angles on some of Ali’s fights. The more obscure guys have good stories.
April 8, 2010
What would it have been like to stand across the ring from one of the greatest fighters of the twentieth century? How does fighting a legend change or influence a person? Those questions are at the heart of Brunt's Facing Ali, which traces Ali's career not through the man himself, but through the men he fought.
Brunt begins chronologically, starting with Ali's first professional opponent, and moving through until he comes to Larry Holmes, the man who beat Ali in Ali's final night in the ring.
Each man gets a chapter all to himself, in which Brunt recounts the interviews he's conducted, along with providing some background on the men before the faced Ali, and their fate afterward. His writing is casual, but engaging, and he does a wonderful job of bringing the men he's interviewing to life.
While all of Ali's big name opponents are featured here, I actually found the stories of the lesser known men more fascinating in some ways. While Brunt does have some good things to say about Foreman, Fraizer, Holmes, and Ken Norton, it was the lives of men like Tunney Hunsaker (who spent most of his life as well-respected small town sheriff), or Jurgen Blin (a German boxer, who fought Ali when Ali couldn't fight in the states). These are the stories of men who were caught in the wake of a legend, who brushed with him, but are somehow forgotten when the legend itself is told.
Fans of any combat sport, particularly boxing, ought to pick this one up, as should anyone who's just interested in the legendarium that grows up around our modern athletes.
(Like this review? Visit my Amazon store (http://astore.amazon.com/jakereveiwsb...) and pick up a copy, or any number of other titles I've reviewed and recommended.)
Brunt begins chronologically, starting with Ali's first professional opponent, and moving through until he comes to Larry Holmes, the man who beat Ali in Ali's final night in the ring.
Each man gets a chapter all to himself, in which Brunt recounts the interviews he's conducted, along with providing some background on the men before the faced Ali, and their fate afterward. His writing is casual, but engaging, and he does a wonderful job of bringing the men he's interviewing to life.
While all of Ali's big name opponents are featured here, I actually found the stories of the lesser known men more fascinating in some ways. While Brunt does have some good things to say about Foreman, Fraizer, Holmes, and Ken Norton, it was the lives of men like Tunney Hunsaker (who spent most of his life as well-respected small town sheriff), or Jurgen Blin (a German boxer, who fought Ali when Ali couldn't fight in the states). These are the stories of men who were caught in the wake of a legend, who brushed with him, but are somehow forgotten when the legend itself is told.
Fans of any combat sport, particularly boxing, ought to pick this one up, as should anyone who's just interested in the legendarium that grows up around our modern athletes.
(Like this review? Visit my Amazon store (http://astore.amazon.com/jakereveiwsb...) and pick up a copy, or any number of other titles I've reviewed and recommended.)
May 27, 2017
"I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick."
- Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali's shadow has loomed over boxing since the first time he stepped into the ring. No other individual has made more of an impact on the sweet science in the last seventy years than the man who called himself the greatest. Ali wasn't just legendary in the ring, but he was a man of controversy outside of it as well. Boxing had a personality like no other, a man who went beyond the usual sports platitudes of being humble and instead said he was the best but went out there and proved it.
Facing Ali looks at fifteen men, ranging from Joe Frazier to the unknown that took Ali on in the boxing ring. The book can be considered fifteen mini-biographies of each man. Their backgrounds, some of their major fights, their fight with Ali, and what happened afterwards is all laid out here in over a little over 300 pages. Its interesting to see their opinions differ of the man of just not his character inside the ring but outside of it as well. While Ali may have garnered the lion share of the attention, all of these men had their own stories to tell as well and Brunt has given them a voice.
My only real issue with Facing Ali is a lack of more in-depth description of their fights with Ali on their perspective and thoughts about the sport of boxing in general. Even in a book that is suppose to be focusing on the men who Ali faced, his shadow continues to loom over them. Although as time goes on, it seems like that will forever be the case.
- Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali's shadow has loomed over boxing since the first time he stepped into the ring. No other individual has made more of an impact on the sweet science in the last seventy years than the man who called himself the greatest. Ali wasn't just legendary in the ring, but he was a man of controversy outside of it as well. Boxing had a personality like no other, a man who went beyond the usual sports platitudes of being humble and instead said he was the best but went out there and proved it.
Facing Ali looks at fifteen men, ranging from Joe Frazier to the unknown that took Ali on in the boxing ring. The book can be considered fifteen mini-biographies of each man. Their backgrounds, some of their major fights, their fight with Ali, and what happened afterwards is all laid out here in over a little over 300 pages. Its interesting to see their opinions differ of the man of just not his character inside the ring but outside of it as well. While Ali may have garnered the lion share of the attention, all of these men had their own stories to tell as well and Brunt has given them a voice.
My only real issue with Facing Ali is a lack of more in-depth description of their fights with Ali on their perspective and thoughts about the sport of boxing in general. Even in a book that is suppose to be focusing on the men who Ali faced, his shadow continues to loom over them. Although as time goes on, it seems like that will forever be the case.
Read
February 6, 2018I read the first 3 chapters and its a readable interesting book. Chapter 3 is on George Chavulo began well but later goes into Chavulo's family problems. to what end? Seemed far removed from what the author says in the preface he intends to do. I almost quit at this point but the remainder of the book was engrossing and filled with insight about boxing, Ali and the fighters included who fought him.
Great first chapter on Tunney Hunsaker Ali's first fight and the sweet relationship that developed between the two men. Tunney at the time of the interview remembers a joke but nothing else - his wife tells the story. (Odd how one minute there is a move afoot to get boxers into helmets and then suddenly there is mixed martial arts - a super spin doctored name - should be called 'brutality in a cage" that will lead to brain damage for each of fighters WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
I give the book high marks.
Great first chapter on Tunney Hunsaker Ali's first fight and the sweet relationship that developed between the two men. Tunney at the time of the interview remembers a joke but nothing else - his wife tells the story. (Odd how one minute there is a move afoot to get boxers into helmets and then suddenly there is mixed martial arts - a super spin doctored name - should be called 'brutality in a cage" that will lead to brain damage for each of fighters WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
I give the book high marks.
May 1, 2018
I'm giving this one a perfect 5 star rating largely because I really enjoyed the premise of the book — 15 different perspectives on Ali all from people with first-hand experience against him. Each perspective is well-paced ... I didn't feel any of them dragged on, and they each had unique stories to share. Fantastic read.
My two takeaways ... Celebrating Ali as the GOAT is more marketing than anything. Sure he won some famous fights, but his war stance/name change left him fighting a bunch of tomato cans along the way.
Joe Frazier is a vindictive moron, who needs to get over it already. Celebrate your career, instead of staying angry over an opponent who helped you fill arenas.
Strongly recommend this read, especially for fight fans.
My two takeaways ... Celebrating Ali as the GOAT is more marketing than anything. Sure he won some famous fights, but his war stance/name change left him fighting a bunch of tomato cans along the way.
Joe Frazier is a vindictive moron, who needs to get over it already. Celebrate your career, instead of staying angry over an opponent who helped you fill arenas.
Strongly recommend this read, especially for fight fans.
April 19, 2007
I have to say that this book was one of the best books I could have ever read. I loved the way it was formatted but what it did for me was get me back into reading books. I had read a good number of books and then all of a sudden stopped. Then my roommate picked me up this book for X-mas and I pounded thru it before January 1st. I was back on my reading bing.
This book has a cool format as it is broken into 15 different chapters and talks about 15 different opponents that Ali faced in his storied boxing career. Its great for those who do not know as much about Ali, and those who do. Its a fun read and I recommend it highly.
This book has a cool format as it is broken into 15 different chapters and talks about 15 different opponents that Ali faced in his storied boxing career. Its great for those who do not know as much about Ali, and those who do. Its a fun read and I recommend it highly.
July 4, 2012
My husband read this book last month and thought I would enjoy it ... and I did.
I had only heard of about five of the fifteen boxers but it was still interesting to read their stories ... where they came from and where they are now. Some knew going in they would get beat and did it for the paycheque.
I had only heard of about five of the fifteen boxers but it was still interesting to read their stories ... where they came from and where they are now. Some knew going in they would get beat and did it for the paycheque.
January 26, 2014
This book covers 15 of Muhammad Ali's opponents over the varying stages of his career. The book seeks to give a voice to some of those who were over shadowed by the Legendary Ali.
It is a good read and has some fun fight fan friendly anecdotes. This is a book that is especially appreciated in conjunction to watching the fights featured within.
69 %
It is a good read and has some fun fight fan friendly anecdotes. This is a book that is especially appreciated in conjunction to watching the fights featured within.
69 %
December 1, 2018
This was an interesting take on Ali's career because the focus was on his opponents rather than Ali himself. And whilst I've read many great books on Ali and already knew what some of his high profile opponents thought of him, this book contained background information and insight into and from some of the journeymen who are just a footnote in history and that is what I liked.
Want to read
December 31, 2008I don't know if this is any good. But I said I'd take up a sport, and Dustin's got the football covered, and baseball dies with that whole steroid thingy for me. Oh and I like violence... so boxing it is...
December 17, 2015
Great read--interviews with 15 boxers who fought Ali, tomata-cans to other champions. You get wonderful insight into the various men, fascinating, introspective looks by each about their lives Fun read for any boxing fan, especially fans of Ali.
February 12, 2008
This book was pretty good not amazing but good.
June 21, 2008
Will tell you more about his, yours, and our history than you might remember.
July 27, 2008
the lance armstrong of boxing - just in a league of his own
September 19, 2009
Learned a lot about Ali and his opponents.
Read
April 16, 2010interesting read. lots of different views/opinions on mr ali.
June 4, 2016
Years ago, my kids gave me this book as a Fathers Day gift. It is still one of my favorite reads. Of course it comes to mind again as I ponder the loss of this great man.
July 11, 2012
Loved this new and interesting look into the life of one of my favorite heros.
October 7, 2013
It was very incitement and well written by a man who knows his sport.
March 20, 2014
If you love the golden age of boxing, and especially if you love the Champ. You must read this book.
January 1, 2016
15 stories about 15 fighters who went head to head with Ali. A good read for fighting fans.
July 13, 2016
15 rounds, 15 magazine length chapters about 15 boxers who faced Muhammed Ali at various points in his career. How it, and the fight game, affected them before, during and after.
January 4, 2018
A real knockout of a book for all Ali fans.
June 4, 2019
Any fan of Ali should read this. The accounts coming from the other side of Ali's gloves are gripping and show a side we haven't considered previously. This is a much overlooked sports title.
July 13, 2022
Not really a book. Instead, it's 15 different magazine features, each summarizing the career of a fighter, with an emphasis on the night he boxed against Muhammad Ali. The author sat down for an interview with each of them.
There's no effort to weave the 15 together, creating a better understanding of Ali.
Pretty ordinary, but I was a fan of boxing in the '70s. I was familiar with about 13 of these fighters, and was interesting to learn a little more about them, so the book worked OK for me.
There's no effort to weave the 15 together, creating a better understanding of Ali.
Pretty ordinary, but I was a fan of boxing in the '70s. I was familiar with about 13 of these fighters, and was interesting to learn a little more about them, so the book worked OK for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews