Review of "Warrior"

As I am always on the lookout for good boxing book, I was happy to see a request come from the publisher of this book for a review.  I did remember that Matthew Saad Muhammad had some of the most punishing bouts I saw in the era of great boxing in the 1970's and 1980's.  Here is my review of his biography, "Warrior." 

 

Title/Author:

“Warrior: Matthew Saad Muhammad: A Champion’s Incredible Search for His Identity” by Tris Dixon

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

The story of Matthew Saad Muhammad, a former boxing champion with some of the most brutal bouts in the history of the sport, is quite fascinating.  This is true whether one is interested in his childhood and rise to stardom, his boxing career with many high points and the inevitable decline or his story after that career is over.  Each part of his life is covered in great detail in this book by Tris Dixon.

Saad Muhammad was born as Maxwell Loach and he was sent to be raised by his aunt when his mother died while he was an infant.  Then the aunt ordered Maxwell’s brother to get rid of him.  He was eventually raised in an orphanage where he was given the name Matthew Franklin.  That story alone would be worth the price of the book had Dixon decided to just write about that, but fortunately for the reader, he went well beyond that.

For books on boxers, while I enjoy their personal stories, I prefer to read the pages on their boxing careers, from when they start out with the four-round bouts up to their rise to contender or champion and even their eventual downfall (unless the name is Rocky Marciano).  Here is where this book shines.  Dixon does a masterful job of researching and writing about Matthew’s rise in the ranks and eventual light heavyweight championship.  The descriptions of his first bout in 1978 with Yaqui Lopez (an 11^th round knockout) and the bout with Marvin Johnson in 1979 where Matthew won the title are just as good in this book as if the reader is following along while watching those bouts on any classic sports streaming service or YouTube. 

Like in the book, this review uses “Matthew” often when referring to the subject of the book as he changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad after winning the title and converting to Islam.  It is noteworthy to do so as that made it easier while reading the book, not having to concern oneself as to what time frame Dixon is referring to in the description.

Lastly, Matthew’s life after boxing is covered in very good detail as well.  As often happens to boxers once they no longer are considered invincible, their personal life takes a decline as well – in Matthew’s case, it went all the way to becoming homeless for awhile. He eventually was able to make his final years meaningful with his campaigns for homelessness awareness.  This, too, is covered in very good detail by Dixon.

Boxing fans who recall the exciting and hard hitting bouts of Matthew will want to read this one – every exciting fight for the man many considered to be the toughest fighter at any weight class in that era will be excited to relive some of those great fights.  Anything that a reader wants to find out about him will be found in this book.

I wish to thank Pitch Publishing for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: Amazon.com: Warrior: A Champion's Incredible Search for His Identity: 9781801500708: Dixon, Tris: Books