In the Ring with boxing writer Adam Pollack By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Dec 1, 2011) Doghouse Boxing - Tweet
By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing: As a part-time trainer, boxing historian, referee, judge, and former
head of a judicial boxing committee, Adam Pollack eats, drinks, and
sleeps boxing-even his wife was a professional boxer. And somehow,
Pollack still finds time to write. In 2006, he published his first work,
a well-received biography and overview of the first heavyweight
champion of the world, John L. Sullivan. Pollack has since followed the
line of each proceeding heavyweight champion. His accounts of the ring
exploits of Messers Corbett, Fitzsimmons, Jeffries and Hart have all
garnered positive reviews. In August of this year, he released his
latest- “In the Ring with Tommy Burns.” Pollack’s books are loaded with
the kind of detailed information most boxing fans can only dream about.
His thirst for boxing knowledge started at a very young age.
“I was fascinated with boxing history and with old-time fights on video," Pollack said.
"I enjoyed watching complete fights, and wanted to see more. I read
books to try to fill in the gaps. However, I often found that books
overlooked many fights, did not provide the detailed descriptions and
discussions that I sought, and did not sufficiently use or cite primary
sources. There was reliance on too many secondary anecdotal stories that
might contain more fiction than nonfiction.”
Pollack’s books take the reader back to when his subject was in
the ring. This is the best way, he says, to understand the fighter, and
the times.
“I lay it all out there so that readers can look back, experience
the era, and draw their own conclusions about these fighters’ careers
with new and better-informed perspectives.”
“In writing my books, my goal was to rely on several local
next-day news reports so that readers can enjoy the stories as they took
place, and from the multiple perspectives of those who actually saw the
fight that night and immediately gave their fresh impressions,
untainted by a great deal of time,"he replied.
The author has no favorite of among his six published books.
Nevertheless, he does feel a certain pride when his writing changes a
reader's perception.
Pollack felt it was logical to begin his series on “The Boston
Strong Boy” John L. Sullivan, the first professional fighter who brought
money and fans to boxing.
“Since John L. Sullivan was the one who started gloved
Queensberry rules boxing on its path as a big-time money-making
enterprise that was one of the two or three most popular sports in the
world, and perhaps the most financially lucrative of all for the
participants, it seemed logical to start with him,” he said.
"I am happy to have changed the opinions of many about Sullivan's
skills and ability, and corrected the impression that he was primarily a
bare-knuckle fighter."
Pollack’s respect for boxing’s founding fathers runs deep. All
though he is passionate about all things boxing Pollack’s day job takes
him outside the ring and into a courtroom as a defense attorney in Iowa
City, Iowa.
What is it about the history of boxing that fascinates him so?
“Those early boxing pioneers were just phenomenal. Any pugilist who
can endure several hours of fighting in a fight to the finish, or even a
20-round bout, getting hit with five ounce gloves, has to be seriously
tough, well-conditioned, and skilled in a special way which is now
somewhat foreign and dead art to most fighters ,"he said.
"I look back and appreciate them, as do those who still enjoy reading about fighters of the past.”
Another goal of Pollack’s was to bring something unique to his volumes writing.
“Most of these fighters have had books written about them, so I
felt the need to add something that made my books unique,” he remarked.
"I think those who have read them will agree that I have accomplished
that. I am not shy about saying that, because I have put in thousands of
hours of work in front of the microfilm.”
Pollack is hard at work on the next fighter in his series, Jack
Johnson. His objective is a new perspective on the life of the
well-documented champion.
“I am currently working on In the Ring With Jack Johnson. I realize
that several books already have been written about him; several very
well done," he said.. "However, I am convinced that I can add a great
deal to the literature about his boxing career, and will not neglect his
outside-the-ring life to the extent that it affected his ring life.
Fight fans will not be disappointed.
"I expect it to be another work on the level of the Jeffries book, which was close to 700 pages,” he added.
Pollack expects to self-publish the Johnson work next year. His
determination sets an example, even for aspiring writers and teachers
outside the world of boxing .
