Chris Cozzone

This is a very interesting book on a very detailed subject matter. I did not expect to find such an interesting history with as many events. The historical context and tie-ins made me think of this like the written version of a Ken Burns documentary. The authors did a great job of adding visuals. It would be interesting to see if this could lead to other projects, I know the authors have ties to the region, but I would love to see a coffee table book of the history of boxing in each state. Very well researched. The only con is that it is a bit long.… (meer)

Boxing in New Mexico is possibly the most thoroughly researched single volume history I have read. Jim Boggio spent ten years researching the history of boxing in New Mexico before his death. Later Chris Cozzone independently began the same research and, eventually, learned of Boggio’s efforts. Boggio’s widow gave Cozzone access to Jim’s work and thanks to their combined seventeen years of research we have this book.
Cozzone is an exceptional writer and the book is filled with many very interesting characters and stories, my favorite being Jack Johnson's first defense of his heavyweight championship but there are almost as many choices here as there are tastes. However, the book would have benefited from an editor with a firm hand and some sharp scissors. During the first forty years the book covers boxing is outlawed in New Mexico but Cozzone spends nearly one hundred pages covering the era. The political and economic maneuvering by the pro and anti boxing forces was interesting. The very few fights that took place were interesting. But honestly the pages, and my time, could have been better spent and the interesting bits could fit in a fraction of the space. Still, it is an enjoyable read that I recommend to any boxing fan or cultural historian. It is just a shame that it is not a few (50?) pages shorter.… (meer)