Once There Were Giants

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A celebration and memorial of the heavyweight boxing era from 1962 to 1997, as experienced ringside by an International Boxing Hall of Fame sportswriter. The memories forged in arenas across the country were unparalleled, especially during heavyweight fights that could seize the crowd's emotions before a punch was thrown. This period featured legendary fighters like Ali, Frazier, Holmes, and Spinks, marking a unique cycle that began with Sonny Liston stopping Floyd Patterson and concluded with Mike Tyson's infamous bite of Evander Holyfield's ear. Unlike today’s theatrical spectacles, these fighters were not actors but true giants with a singular purpose: to battle in the ring. Acclaimed sportswriter Jerry Izenberg witnessed history in the making, covering iconic bouts such as the Thrilla in Manila and the Rumble in the Jungle. Through his vivid prose, he shares both eyewitness accounts and insightful backstories from this remarkable era of heavyweight boxing. Izenberg invites readers to reflect on a time that will never be replicated, creating a poignant tribute to an extraordinary chapter in sports history.