Book Update #1

I hope 2023 is off to a good start for all of you and that you are working hard towards your goals!

During my Holiday Update, I mentioned that I would be working on two significant projects: an article about the Kronk gym and my first boxing book.

The Kronk gym piece came out well and will be published in Issue #21 of Ringside Seat Magazine in late February or early March. I am looking forward to sharing that with you when it comes out. You can also subscribe to the digital magazine here and get all the upcoming issues.

As for my boxing book, I have been mainly focusing on preliminary research and putting together the book proposal, a formal document I will pitch to publishers later. To prepare the proposal, I read How to Write a Book Proposal, which has been a crucial resource.

My book's subject will be George Foreman's comeback. After losing the title to Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974, Foreman won a few more fights in 1976 before losing to Jimmy Young in 1977. The Young loss and subsequent spiritual awakening led Foreman to become a minister and take ten years off from boxing. He returned in 1987 intending to become heavyweight champion once again.

I find the comeback aspect of Foreman’s story fascinating, and not much has been written about it yet. However, today, the trailer below was released. When I first watched it, I was admittedly disappointed. I thought my book idea was fresh and exciting, and the movie dampens that. But I quickly decided to see the film in a positive light because I didn't want it to deter me from writing my book.

If the movie is a commercial success, then that proves there is interest in Foreman’s life story. I know that reading a book is a much bigger time investment than watching a movie, and many will opt only to see the movie. But even if only a small fraction of moviegoers purchases my book, they may not have bought it without first learning about Foreman through the movie. I will also be interested in watching it so I can fact-check during my research and see where the film falls short or excels. There is a way to capitalize on the movie, and I will find ways to make it work for me and not against me.

I look forward to providing additional updates as they happen.

Thank you!