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02/27/2008 Archived Entry: "Confessions of a Fighter"
Confessions of a Fighter
By Peter Wood
Reviewed by J.D. Vena
Every fighter usually has their own unique story to tell of their experiences in the game of boxing. Whether they are an all-time great, a fringe contender or a boxer that never made the transition to the professional ranks, there is always a distinctive story, some more interesting than others. Whatever drives someone to suit on boxing trunks and tie on a pair of gloves to wage and absorb punishment or to spend months training in a filthy gymnasium, is something only few can understand but even fewer can put into words. Whether the story is on a big screen or in the form of a book, it tends to be more appealing when you absorb it from the subject rather than what onlookers or researchers like to put into words. In Confessions of a Fighter by Peter Wood, the author successfully articulates his fistic foray into the realm of the sweet science with genuine, accurate and insightful detail.
Wood’s delightful story, however, is unique in that his decision to transform himself from middleclass suburban high school student to a ‘pet tiger,’ relates from his tormented childhood caused by a broken family which fuels his anger, passions and thoughts. He didn’t join a boxing gym in Jersey City because his bike was stolen as was the case with a young Cassius Clay. Wood made the decision to use boxing as a vehicle to channel his frustration into a sledge hammer left hook that carried him through a New York Golden Gloves tournament in the early 1970s.
Wood ‘confesses’ to have deranged thoughts and motives but there is no shame in his narrative. He speaks with absolute brutal honesty and without shame. This is why his story is so unique. He isn’t afraid of holding back how he feels. He includes his thinking that one would usually elect to keep to oneself and because of his style you fully understand him more than you would understand most characters. For instance, he will look at sign and interpret a message from it as it relates to his life. This is something I’m sure most people do but keep it to themselves in fear of feeling indifferent. His approach comes off as very Holden Caulfieldish but with a flare of boxing. In a way, I’m sure this book was therapeutic for Wood as he probably understands himself better now than he had before writing this book.
What also separates Wood’s story from other nonfiction biographies is that he has an uncanny ability to perfectly depict his battles in the ring as only a boxer can sometimes articulate. His fearless aggressive writing approach relates very much to his method of attacking his opponents in the ring and his recollection of these fight sequences are keenly described. The reader will understand that he is about to unload a left hook but you are still on the edge of your seat because you really don’t know what’s going to happen.
Having also taken the three steps into the ring, I was able to relate to all of the feelings Wood describes, the stench of the gym, the locker room, the makeshift dressing rooms before a fight and the testosterone-filled atmosphere in the dressing rooms. I haven’t read a more comprehensive memoir that captures the true essence of boxing the way Wood illustrates in Confessions of a Fighter. It’s Fat City, only more enjoyable if it ever makes it to the big screen. ‘Confessions of a Fighter is a must have for your boxing library.
Confessions of a Fighter is available through Amazon.com
Replies: 1 Comment made on this article
This was a heart warming and toughing story. I highly recommend this to all.
Posted by Francarrollcpa@comcast.net">Fran Carroll @ 02/27/2008 04:47 PM EST
