Facing Ali - by Stephen Brunt (Paperback)

About the Book

Fifteen previously untold and gripping accounts of what it was like to face Muhammad Ali in the ring.

Book Synopsis

"Brunt does an excellent job of bringing his subjects out of the shadow of the Greatest, recounting their often poignant tales of life before and after their dates with the champ. In the end, of course,
we learn more about Ali. What stands out is their almost unanimous expression of affection for Ali. A worthy addition to any boxing
collection." -Library Journal
Muhammad Ali cast a blinding light on his sport, on the tumultuous times in which he reigned as champion, and on all the people who surrounded him. That included the fighters brave enough to stand alone in the ring with the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.
Ali's own story has been told often, but the tales of those who faced him have been mostly overlooked. For each, the moments alone in the ring with Ali changed their lives. Facing Ali tells the stories, in the fighters' own words, of fifteen men from around the world-from famous names like Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Henry Cooper, to lesser lights like Tunney Hunsaker, Jergen Blin, and George Chuvalo. Facing Ali offers a unique perspective on what it was like to fight Ali, and gives new insights into the character of a boxer who is arguably the most recognized man on the planet.

From the Back Cover

Muhammad Ali cast a blinding light on his sport, on the tumultuous times in which he reigned as champion, and on all the people who surrounded him, including the fighters brave enough to stand alone, across the ring from the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. Ali's own story has been told repeatedly, but the stories of those who faced him have been mostly ignored. For each, the moments alone in the ring with Ali changed their lives. Facing Ali tells the stories, in the fighters' own words, of fifteen men from around the world, from famous names like Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Henry Cooper, to lesser lights like Tunney Hunsaker and Jurgen Blin and George Chuvalo. Facing Ali offers a unique perspective on what it was like to fight Ali, and gives new insights into the character of a man who is arguably the most recognized man on the planet.

Review Quotes

"These are men of substance, worth getting to know. Brunt does them justice, but the author has done something even more impressive: He has found something new to report about Muhammad Ali."
-Sports Illustrated, February 2003

"Makes it clear that boxing sure could use an Ali today-or any day."
-Kirkus Reviews, March 2003


A Sports Illustrated Book-of-the-Year Pick

"This book should become one of the essential works for understanding the legendary fighter."
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"These are men of substance, worth getting to know. Brunt does them justice, but the author has done something even more impressive: He has found something new to report about Muhammad Ali." Sports Illustrated

"Brunt does an excellent job of bringing his subjects out of the shadow of The Greatest, recounting their often poignant tales of life before and after their dates with the champ. In the end, of course, we learn more about Ali."
Library Journal

"Makes it clear that boxing sure could use an Ali today--or any day."
Kirkus Reviews 2002 Canadian Sportswriter of the Year:

"FACING ALI has winner writtern all over it."--Bert Sugar, former editor, The Ring

About the Author

Stephen Brunt is Canada's premier sportswriter and commentator. He is the lead columnist for Toronto's Globe and Mail and won the Michener Award for his piece on negligence and corruption in boxing. He was nominated for Canada's National Newspaper Award for his account of meeting with Ali.