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The Last Great Fight: The Extraordinary Tale of Two Men and How One Fight Changed Their Lives Forever (St Martins Press) | 
 enlarge | Author: Joe Layden
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $6.95
You Save: $18.00 (72%)
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Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 224972
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0312353308
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.83
EAN: 9780312353308
ASIN: 0312353308
Publication Date: October 2, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New - may have a small remainder mark on the edge.
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Product Description
Meticulously researched, wonderfully written; the untold story of a legendary fight and the two warriors who would never be the same again It is considered by many to be the biggest upset in the history of boxing: James "Buster" Douglas knocked out then-undefeated Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson in the 10th round in 1990 when the dominating and intimidating Tyson was considered invincible. THE LAST GREAT FIGHT takes readers not only behind the scenes of this epic battle, but inside the lives of two men, their ambitions, their dreams, the downfall of one and the rise of another.
Using his exclusive interviews with both Tyson and Douglas, family members, the referee, the cutmen, trainers and managers to the commentators and HBO staff covering the fight in Tokyo, Layden has crafted a human drama played out on a large stage. This is a compelling tale of shattered dreams and, ultimately, redemption.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 smooth pace---fantastic detail November 18, 2008
William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA)
The author presents an even paced novel of the Tyson/Douglas fight that has some extradinary detail that keeps the book entertaining. This book could have benefitted with pictures. There are none.
It seems almost unfair that the cover photo, which is great, has Tyson looking like the victor of their match.
Tragic American Tale November 16, 2008
Chris Wilson (Dallas, TX)
Some sporting events you can remember where you were when you first heard of them. James "Buster" Douglas' boxing knockout of Mike Tyson for the Heavyweight Championship is one of those events. Arguably one of the greatest upsets in sports history, this fight has taken on a unique historical aura over the years. Joe Layden's engrossing and tragic 2007 book "The Last Great Fight: The Extraordinary Tale of Two Men and How One Fight Changed Their Lives Forever" gives a superb account of this sporting epic.
I was waiting tables on the busy Saturday night this fight took place and was amazed at the cheers coming from the bar. I realized something more was going on than your typical Tyson KO. When the fight ended, the message that Tyson had been defeated spread through the restaurant like wildfire. Luckily, I taped the fight, and went home that night to watch the bout over and over again trying to understand what my eyes could not believe. Over the years, I have re-watched this fight many times and am amazed by the eerie atmosphere of the broadcast. The fight took place in Japan, playing out before an oddly reserved crowd. The HBO announcers, puzzled and shocked, were equally confused. Tyson had such an incredibly invincible reputation that no one could believe what they were seeing.
Layden's book accurately reveals the numerous events leading up to this fight that played a crucial role in the outcome. Douglas, son of a former middleweight contender, struggled from the constant expectations of his demanding father. When his dad was removed from the training team, Douglas seemed to thrive. In addition, the death of Douglas' mother just days before the fight seemed to create a sense of destiny. He lost the fear that seemed to hold him back during his career. Tyson, suffering from an ugly divorce and too much coddling with his new Don King team, had become a man who began to either believe in his invincibility, or no longer cared.
What I liked about Layden's book was his documentation of Douglas. His story, in many ways, is a tragedy. We've read enough about Tyson and Layden expertly gives Douglas equal time with fine interviews with his training team, including long-time friend John Russell. Russell's loyalty to Douglas is especially touching. Several times during the passages detailing the Douglas years following the Tyson fight I was moved to tears. I was also surprised by the sympathetic light Layden shines on Tyson, a man portrayed far too often as a villain. After reading "The Last Great Fight," I feel as if I know Tyson and Douglas and have renewed respect for both men.
Layden hypothesizes that the Douglas/Tyson fight, held in 1990, was a quasi-end of boxing's popularity in the the public mainstream. Tyson, an enormously popular Heavyweight Champion at the time, embarked on an eventual path of shocking self destruction. He would eventually lose millions of dollars and file for bankruptcy. Douglas, in turn, would wisely invest the small fortune he made for his fight immediately following the Tyson victory, an uninspired KO loss to Evander Holyfield. The contrast of the two men's lives, finely detailed by Layden, shows Douglas ironically living in comfort while Tyson desperately struggles with financial and personal issues.
It's a disturbing story, as the cruelties of modern celebrity are revealed yet once again. Most importantly, Layden's work documents the lives of two men who are eventual victims of an ugly and greedy machine vicariously feeding on bodies and spirit. I was deeply moved by Douglas' survival to become a better man after his retirement from boxing. The brilliance of Layden's book is that it covers not only this historic fight, but the struggles of both men for years afterwards. This is a boxing story, granted. But it's also a tragic American tale you will not be able to put down.
Excellent book despite curious title February 28, 2008
Hawk
I did not expect to enjoy the book as much as I did. I Thought it was very well written and researched thoroughly.
The critique about "nothing new" on Tyson seems a little off to me. Granted in and of itself, that claim is true. But the book was not about rehashing Mike Tyson's life. That has been done already. THis book was about the Douglas Tyson Upset and while it logically provides before and after information about both fighters careers, it does not gloss over anything to the point of nearly being vacant. Yet it reasonably doesn't go overboard on well travelled ground either.
Add to the fact that the author was quite up front about the challenges he was presented with talking with Tyson himself and I think what Tyson history was covered in the book, more than was up to snuff for readers who are familiar with his history.
My only issue or rather curiosity with the book is the TITLE itself. "The Last Great Fight?"
Unless I missed an obvious explanation with regards to the books title, I just don't understand what it was supposed to mean.
To claim that there have not been dramatic, great or epic ots since 1990, I think is a gross exxaggeration.
A greater Upset since? Obviously no. But there have been plenty to choose from for better fights. Heck not only wasn't Douglas Tyson the Greatest fight of the 90's, it wasn;t the best fight of 1990! Julio Cesar Chavez KO 12 Meldrick Taylor took place slightly over a month after Douglas Tyson and is generally considered the greatest bout of the decade.
The 2000's have had two Barrera Morales Classics, two Gatti Ward Classics and the Corrales Castillo classic.
Heck, IMO we only need to go back two years to discuss that last truly Great Fight.
THis nitpicking aside re the title, the book is HIGHLY recommended by me, as I thought it was an absolutely wonderful read and excellently done.
I just don't care for the title.
Hawk
Waiting for the Next Great Fight February 14, 2008
Mister B (New Hampshire)
Prior to reading the book, I always thought that Douglas won this fight because he was in the right place at the right time. Tyson was dealing with a ton of issues, wasn't prepared to fight, his corner wasn't prepared to support his fight, and the result was more of a Tyson loss than a Douglas win. After reading this book, I changed my mind.
Layden does a wonderful job setting up the numerous back stories and weaving them in and out of the main story - the Tyson/Douglas fight. We learn a lot about Tyson's background (which probably isn't new info to most boxing fans), but more importantly, we learn a lot about Douglas -the boxer and the man. By the end of the book, it is clear that Douglas won the fight because he was the better boxer and because he wanted it more. On that one particular afternoon in Tokyo, Douglas would have even beaten a ready and prepared Mike Tyson.
Although the fight was obviously the highlight of the book, I also enjoyed the "where are they now" aspect of the book. Layden is very detailed in bringing the reader up to date on what Douglas and Tyson have been up to since their fight. Again, we all know about Tyson, but some of stories about Douglas will suprise you - the near death experience, the return to Columbus, the return to boxing.
I recommend this book to anyone who misses the good heavyweight boxing of years past. This book will hold you over until the next Great Fight.
The Last Great Fight January 14, 2008
Matthew P. Glusco
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a very well written book. This was an insightful,thoughtful, and tastefully written book. This work is definitely worth reading for any boxing fan.
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