I owe special thanks to ESPN's Vince Doria for his help and editing eye, and to former colleagues Leigh Montville and Ian Thomsen for their contributions, on the tee and off. Royce Feour, the dean of Las Vegas boxing writers, was gracious and encouraging. Many years ago Mike Katz mentored me on the boxing beat, and for that I remain grateful.
The Caesars Palace publicity staff of Debbie Munch, Ken Langdon, and Kathy Silvas extended professional courtesy.
Longtime friend and gifted photographer Stuart Cohen whipped the photos into shape. Friend and boxing aficionado Peter McNerney made available his cache of articles. Longtime friend and clinical social worker Bruce Freeman offered moral support and comic relief.
I am indebted to the robust boxing journalism that flourished in the 1970s and 1980s, exemplified by Red Smith, Dave Anderson, Mike Katz, Pat Putnam, Ed Schuyler, Bill Nack, Dick Young, Jim Murray, Bob Waters, Vic Ziegel, Rich Hoffer, Wally Matthews, Greg Logan, Mike Lupica, Mike Marley, John Schulian, Bob Verdi, Leigh Montville, George Kimball, Ron Borges, Bert Sugar, Hugh McIlvanney, Colin Hart, Frank Deford, Jane Leavy, Tom Boswell, Dave Kindred, Bill Gildea, Jerry Izenberg, Bill Lyon, Tom Cushman, Mark Kram, Mark Kram Jr., Jon Saraceno, Joe Gergen, Thom Greer, Elmer Smith, Jack Fiske, Ralph Wiley, Phil Berger, Rich Hofmann, Al Goldstein, Jim Fenton, Tim Horgan, Tom Archdeacon, Mike O'Hara, Dave Kindred, Royce Feour, Bill Reader, Steve Farhood, Dave Bontempo, Joe Carnicelli, Randy Gordon, and Flash Gordon.
I wish to thank my publisher, Jeremy Solomon, who took a sporting chance, against the odds, and my editor, Linda Weinerman, whose eyes were fresh and discerning.
On a personal level, my two children, Nora and Alex, feigned interest and offered loving support.
My wife, Alison Arnett, a career newspaper journalist, endured several iterations, and executed the first edit. Her vow "for better or worse" was stretched above and beyond. My respect for her is exceeded only by my love.
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About the Author
Steve Marantz covered boxing during the Leonard-Hagler era for the Boston Globe. As a beat and investigative reporter, columnist and feature writer, he covered sports, politics, and government for the Kansas City Star, Trenton Times, Boston Globe, WHDH-TV, Sporting News, and Boston Herald.
He is a researcher for ESPN Content Development and co-founder of SportsMediaGuide.com, which explores the art and craft of sports coverage.
Marantz grew up in West Virginia and Nebraska and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He and his wife, Alison Arnett, raised their children, Nora and Alex, in Swampscott, Mass.
Author's press pass for the Hagler/Leonard fight
(c) 1987 Globe Newspaper Company
Sugar Ray Leonard's split-decision victory elevated him a step above Marvelous Marvin Hagler among the all-time greats and won bragging rights to an era.
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Copyright (c) 2008 by Steve Marantz
Cover and interior design by Masha Shubin
Cover photo of Hagler by Dan Wolfe. Cover fight pictures taken by Jeff Gale. Cover picture of Caesars Palace courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau.
All photos have been reprinted with the permission of their respective copyright holders: Ollie Dunlap, Angie Carlino, Globe Newspaper Company, Inc, Jeff Gale, Las Vegas News Bureau, Dan Wolfe. No images may be reproduced or transmitted without the express permission of the respective copyright holders.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher and/or author. Contact Inkwater Press at 6750 SW Franklin Street, Suite A, Portland, OR 97223-2542. 503.968.6777
Paperback
ISBN-13 978-1-59299-336-9 | ISBN-10 1-59299-336-2
Kindle
ISBN-13 978-1-59299-521-9| ISBN-10 1-59299-521-7
Publisher: Inkwater Press | Paperback
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Table of Contents
Foreword
Prologue
1982: Sugar Ray Ascendant
1982: Bait
1973: Million Dollar Smile
1973: Fathered by Adversity
1979: Champion and “Victim”
1980: Duran
1981: Hit Man
1982: Legally Marvelous
1983: Cocaine
1984: Down the Toilet
1985: A Black Christ
1986: Dinner at Jameson’s
1987: Every Guest a Caesar
1987: April 6
1987: Twelve Rounds
1987: The Cause of Emotion
1987: Vanished
Epilogue
Appendix
Notes on Sources and Acknowledgments
About the Author