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12/28/2005 Archived Entry: "Review of 'Billy Soose; The Champion Time Forgot'"
Review of 'Billy Soose; The Champion Time Forgot'
By Jim Amato
Courtesy of Boxing Press
Billy Soose; The Champion Time Forgot.
Authors: Rusty Rubin and Tom Donelson
Who is Billy Soose? A lot of people may ask this question. Especially today's younger fans who probably had no idea. Two of the best writers in the business, Rusty Rubin and Tom Donelson co-authored a book that should enlighten the boxing fan as to how good Billy Soose really was.
I had heard of Billy Soose. He was one of the many middleweight claimants during that era along with Fred Apostoli, Ceferino Garcia, Marcel Thil, Ben Jeby, Lou Broulillard, Vince Dundee, Teddy Yarosz, Eddie Risko, Al Hostak, Solly Krieger, Ken Overlin, Freddie Steele and Gorilla Jones. I always felt that the tall, hard hitting Freddie Steele was the best of this bunch.
This book made me re-think that position.
This book will show why Billy Soose was such a unique boxer. He is considered the best collegiate boxer of all time. As his professional career reached its zenith he beat two reigning middleweight champions, Ken Overlin and Tony Zale in non-title matches. He would eventually meet Overlin again and win a portion of the title. A rematch with Tony Zale never materialized.
There is a campaign to get Billy Soose inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. This well written book makes a strong case for Mr.Soose. I know a lot more about his amazing career since reading this book. I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that when you pick it up, it is hard to put it down.
