An easy read with useful and inspirational insights into the minds and workout routines of 26 boxing greats.
Feature image credit: New Holland Publishers
Gary Todd has been around the boxing scene for more than 30 years. His previous book, Annie’s Boy, was released in June 2022 and is a memoir of his life growing up in Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s.
Now located in Sydney, Todd has done the near impossible, travelling the world to interview boxing greats about their history and training schedules. His research has culminated in this book for hardcore fans that honours 26 champion male boxers.
Todd is a trainer and cut man himself (one of the team members in the ring corner responsible for treating cuts during a fight). He’s also a sportswriter and ambassador for boxing, particularly for those behind the scenes.
Although more known within the boxing world, his passion is evident in the care he’s taken to honour his idols. This is present in each short biography and interview as an accessible, simple read to appeal to a broader audience.
The final entry in the book breaks down professional boxing division weight classes for men and women to help add clarity to the pages before. It may have been better placed earlier in the book as there is no index, and the contents table at the start only lists the 26 boxers, not any other content in the book (including Todd’s own biography).
Who are the boxers? Tim Tszyu, Gennady Golovkin, Marvellous Marvin Hagler, Jai Opetaia, Danny Lopez, Vassiliy Jirov… it’s a who’s who gallery of celebrated sportsman.
The biographies of each range between 2 to 10 pages, with Marvellous Marvin Hagler receiving the most attention as ‘one of the greatest middleweights in the history of the sport of boxing.’ Here, we learn of their youth, their entry into the sport, and their successes and failures as they made their way up the ranks.
A short interview follows in question-and-answer style where the boxer outlines a day in their life, from the time they rise in the morning to what they eat for breakfast and what hobbies they have. The interviews are short, mostly only one page in length, but provide a basic overview of each boxer’s thoughts on what they do and why they do it.
The final pages of each biography are dedicated to their workouts. These are separated into sparring and non-sparring days. The breakdown of workouts is perhaps the most eye-opening. They highlight the extreme dedication of the boxer to his sport while also offering a clear guide for anyone with dreams of their own to make it big or to drastically improve their fitness by striving towards similar levels of the exercises given. This fits with Todd’s own commitment towards inspiring and guiding the next generation.
The repetitive layout of sections and information for all 26 boxers (27 if you include Todd’s own biography which gets the same treatment) is surprisingly advantageous. It allows the reader to notice both the similarities and differences between each boxer which, in itself, offers some valuable lessons and guidance.
For boxing fanatics, Greatest Ever Boxing Champions is a treasure trove of information, memories, and insights shared by the very people it’s about. For those just starting with the sport or on the outskirts of the boxing arena, Todd’s third book is inspirational, educational, and an easy read to get you flexing your own muscles.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: New Holland Publishers
Released: October 2025
RRP: $35.00
