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  • Boxing and the Mob

  • The Notorious History of the Sweet Science
  • Written by: Jeffrey Sussman
  • Narrated by: David Marantz
  • Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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Boxing and the Mob cover art

Boxing and the Mob

Written by: Jeffrey Sussman
Narrated by: David Marantz
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Publisher's Summary

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
History of Sports Combat Sports & Self-Defense True Crime United States Boxing Training
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Profile Image for Langer MD

Decent 'Plus' Selection

Author/Historian Jeffrey Sussman combines his two passions - organized crime and boxing - to deliver a fascinating exposé looking at the phenomenon of "fixing" fights. He also touches on horseracing and the 1919 World Series scheme.. but largely sticks to figures & instances in the world of professional prizefighting.
The writing is capable - and Sussman admirably avoids fictionalized dialogue (eschewing too much artistic license) - but his tone is a little bit too jocular/conversational for a documentary mandate. A more academic/clinical approach would have been more effective.

As to presentation: reader David Marantz displays professional diction, timbre, and cadence - but reads with noticeable disinterest (it's pretty clear that Marantz is collecting a paycheck - reading a book sitting open on his lap). This recording is "acceptable" at best.

Altogether, paying a Credit for this 5/10-star audiobook would be hard to defend.. but as an included offering with my Audible membership, it was a reasonable investment of time. If you can likewise get it for free, you wouldn't be crazy to do so.

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