Family, Gangsters & Champions: Boxer Tony Canzoneri's Life & World

While an easy read, this book provides an in depth look and life of a great fighter in the hay day of boxing. Lots of boxing color and good look at his personal life.

Family, gangsters and champions is an entertaining story of one of boxings great champions, Tony Canzoneri, and his rise to fame from humble origins in New Orleans. The book excels as a portrait of one of boxing's great eras during the 1910s and 20s. However the real strength of the book lies in its portrayal of New Orleans, the city, as a character and of the larger than life personalities that inhabited Canzoneri's early life. Mr. Vargas also does a great job translating old reporting into entertaining and suspenseful descriptions of Mr. Canzoneri's best and worst moments in the ring. The sheer number of significant fights provides a great window into the grueling world in professional boxing at the time. But it is just this that makes Canzoneri an excellent subject for this biography, as he took on all comers, often time and time again, at the highest level of the sport. I would recommend to any boxing fan or those interested in a portrait of New Orleans at the time.

And it's a good one. Reviews of his bouts, with memories by his relatives of him outside the ring.I recall the time, a local boxing card was held in my hometown. A former champion was there. Here's the chance to meet , shake hands and talk to a great boxer. But he took off after it was over. Couldn't be bothered. Based on what I read, I can't see Mr. Canzoneri doing that. He always made time for everyone.P.S. Good job on the cover, rare color combination , it looks like Tony Canzoneri is coming at you !