Review of Boxing's Greatest Controversies

Boxing's Greatest Controversies: Blunders, Blood Feuds, and Mob Corruption

By Louis Joshua Eisen

Dundurn Press, 2025

In Boxing's Greatest Controversies, Lou Eisen delves deep into eleven significant fights, ranging from a bareknuckle brawl to Mike Tyson's gnawing on Evander Holyfield's ear. Heavyweights dominate the book as Eisen examines the seminal moments from the careers of Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, and Muhammad Ali. Legendary lightweights Joe Gans and Roberto Durán are also featured.

Each chapter provides background on both fighters involved and the wider context of the sport at the time. That's followed by a diagnosis of the controversy and its ultimate significance. To avoid spoilers, analysis of Eisen's forcefully delivered conclusions to each controversy, which often buck conventional beliefs, will be omitted from this review.

In providing those conclusions, Eisen carefully and gradually lays out his case for each one. Since a few of the fights he covers took place around a hundred years ago, there's some necessary speculation surrounding Eisen's findings. The writing is at times rhythmic due to the author's frequent deployment of hypophora. A touch of moralizing seeps into the accounts of fistic battles with managers often the culprits of any mischief.

Nine of the eleven fights covered are truly integral to telling the story of boxing. The less important Carnera-Schaaf bout is the weakest chapter because of some inconsistencies. Boxing has produced so many fights that could have been included, it's unfair to suggest any replacement, but it would have been enlightening to read Eisen's treatment of the Jack Britton-Benny Leonard fiasco.

Boxing's Greatest Controversies is a great introduction to the history of the sport through several key fights. This book is an illuminating gateway for those who want to learn about boxing history, but don't know where to start. For those more versed in boxing history, Eisen's conclusions provide fodder for argument about these memorable events by challenging established narratives.

Lev Jackson Wins by KO

Lightweight Lev Jackson won tonight by second knockout in Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico.

The 32 year old Vancouverite came into this fight without any knowledge of the opponent for the first time in his pro career. "I was patient and boxed, no brawling," Jackson told The Jewish Boxing Blog. "I waited him out because he wanted a street fight."

In the second round, Jackson scored a knockdown with a body shot. He then connected with a combination to the body and head to score the knockout. Lev's record improves to 4-1-1 with 2 KOs. More details to come...

courtesy of Jackson's IG page

Lev Jackson Weighs In

Lev Jackson weighed in ahead of his fight tomorrow at Jamay Center, in Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico. Teofista Boxing is promoting the show.

The 32 year old from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada will be facing a substitute opponent in a lightweight bout. The all-action fighter flew down to Mexico today for his first fight outside of Canada. Jackson, who is 3-1-1, was last in the ring on July 20, 2023.

Jill Matthews to be Inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame

Jill Matthews will be inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a deserved honor for a woman who was both a pioneer and a quality boxer.

A former gymnast, Matthews was nicknamed "The Zion Lion." In 1995, she became the first woman ever to win a New York Golden Gloves title when she stopped Dee Hamaguchi in the first round of the 101-pound final at Madison Square Garden.

Matthews turned pro later that year and lost her first fight. In 1998, she won the IFBA light flyweight world title. Later that year, she avenged that debut loss to win the IWBF light flyweight world title. She finished her career in 1999 with a hard-fought record of 9-4-1 with 7 KOs and two world titles belts.

A college graduate, Matthews was a musician before and after her boxing career. Around 2013, Matthews was diagnosed with brain cancer. She fought bravely and beat the disease. Mazel tov to Jill Matthews for her induction into the IWBHOF.

Staying Focused: David Malul Discusses His Third Fight

David Malul showed some more of his skills in his third fight, a unanimous decision victory over Shaquille Rushing last Saturday. His jab and his dedication to the body were two key factors in his win.

"I believe in my jab," Malul told The Jewish Boxing Blog. "It was the gameplan to use the jab and I saw openings for it." The importance of the jab is espoused by his coach Mike Stellate at the Main Street Gym. "Everything is based off the jab," Malul said.

Bodywork is also stressed. "Body in Hebrew is behtan (בטן). Everybody in the gym knows the word behtan, because I say it so much." David understands just how essential body punches are. He's learning how to use them to break down opponents. "When you see it work, you believe it. Going to the body wasn't just the gameplan for this fight. It's the gameplan for every fight."

In November, Malul scored a devastating knockout of Zachary Davis. In the second round of that fight, he loaded up on head shots. "If I see an opening, I'm going to take it," the 22 year old explained. "He had an awkward frame that wasn't sturdy. I knew his punches wouldn't hurt me even if he caught me, so it was low risk," he said of his second pro fight. "If I can take you out early, I'll put you to sleep. I don't get paid overtime." In the third round, he set up the vicious knockout blow with a couple of shots to the ole behtan.

Malul was originally scheduled to fight Rushing on February 13, but the fight was delayed five weeks because of an illness to a main event fighter. David himself suffered from the flu in early February, having to cut weight and spar while sick. He was initially disappointed with the postponement because he had pushed himself so hard to get ready. But Coach Stellate helped him reorient his mentality. "My coach said, 'Now you have more time to train and have a better performance.'"

Curiously, Rushing is listed as a southpaw on BoxRec. Malul had seen his first fight and was prepared for him to fight from an orthodox stance, but he was ready for anything. He brought in "Lefty Gunz" Matthew Gonzalez to spar in case Rushing fought as a southpaw.

At the weigh-in, a fighter in another matchup refused to show up, which delayed the proceedings for over an hour. Coach Stellate kept Malul focused and reframed the situation. "Just imagine how hungry your opponent is," the coach told his charge.

Once the fight started, David trusted his skills more. "Slowly, the ring is becoming a home to me," he said. One skill he's had to learn is tuning out the crowd. His fans are boisterous and it affected him in his debut, a fight in which he was knocked down twice in the first before winning by knockout that same round. "When I say I didn't have much experience, it's not just the ten amateur fights. I didn't have experience with the crowd. Now I'm zoned in. I had to learn to dial out the crowd."

For the Rushing fight, David wore "Bibas" on his orange trunks to honor Shiri, Ariel and Kfir. The mother and her two sons were kidnapped and murder by Hamas in 2023. Yarden Bibas, who was released after 484 days in captivity, wrote a note of appreciation to David for the gesture. "I wanted to win to honor them," David said.

While his commemoration of the Bibas family has gained some publicity, flying under the radar is the fact that David flew out wounded Israeli soldiers and bought them front row seats to show his gratitude for their sacrifice.

David's heart is in the right place, but so is his head. When asked what he can improve in the ring, he was adamant, "My whole game entirely," he said. "My jab, my right hand, everything. I'll be working on it in the gym. I truly believe my best skill hasn't come out yet."

When it does, the crowd will surely be rocking and the opponent will soon be sleeping.