Reader Review

A recent review highlights the sections on New York in 'I Fought Them All'.


Tom Sharkey was a central character in late 19th and early 20th Century New York, becoming a celebrity, the owner of a notorious saloon and a friend to the city's politicians.


"I was pleased to see Tim 'Dry Dollar Sullivan make an appearance," writes our correspondent. "I love New York's Five Points District from back in the day... Great book."

Cyber Boxing

Love the old-timers? Cyber Boxing Zone has some knock-out chat going on about all the greats.

There's plenty of discussion about "Sailor" Tom Sharkey, of course, and many of his ring rivals - and about the book "I Fought Them All".

Check out these three threads if you'd like to join in.

"Jeff's long left kept the rushing Sharkey at a safe distance..."


A fantastic sketch from The Ring magazine, July 1944.


Jeffries and Sharkey: one of the greatest fightin' friendships ever. 


They were ring rivals at the height of their success and friends for 50 years. 


They died within a few weeks of each other in 1953.

The "amazing" full story of a boxing great

Another great review for 'I Fought Them All: The Life and Ring Battles of Prize-fighting Legend Tom Sharkey'. This time it's Boxing-Ireland.com who are singing the books praises.

'The colorful life and times of one of Ireland’s forgotten sporting heroes is revealed in I Fought Them All, a new biography by Greg Lewis and Moira Sharkey,' says the website.

'“Sailor” Tom Sharkey, whom the New York Times once described as a “ring immortal,” fought the first four heavyweight champions under the Marquis of Queensberry rules – becoming a boxing legend and a very wealthy man in the process...

'Yet the amazing full story of his early life in Dundalk, Co. Louth, his career in the U.S. Navy and his controversial ring career has never been told – until now. I Fought Them All is the result of more than three years of research which used records from Ireland and all across the United States.

'The book features an array of characters including Wild West gunman Wyatt Earp and boxing legends such as John L. Sullivan, Gentleman Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons. At its heart is the astonishing 50-year rivalry and friendship between Sharkey and Jim Jeffries, which started after their 25-round world title fight at Coney Island and lasted until the two men died a few weeks apart in 1953.'

READ MUCH MORE HERE

"emits quality from the first opening crack of the hardcover until its final satisfying closing"

There's a cracking review of 'I Fought Them All' on Max Boxing.


'It emits quality from the first opening crack of the hard cover until its final satisfying closing,' writes Marty Mulcahey.

'I am not alone in my admiration of this book, with The Ring magazine’s Pete Ehrmann and Tracy Callis adding to the chorus of praise. Ehrmann calls the book, “Hugely entertaining and exquisitely researched. Revelations about Sharkey’s private life are eye-popping.” Ehrmann ended his review succinctly with, “It’s a great contribution to ring history.” 


'Callis, an influential International Boxing Research Organization member and widely respected voice inside boxing history circles, is effusive in his praise. “Whether one is a boxing historian interested in great detail or a casual follower of the sport, the book is a must-read about one of the ring’s top old warriors. A fighter of the Tom Sharkey caliber should have a book written about him. Greg Lewis and Moira Sharkey have done a splendid job."'

Reader Feedback

Some Cyber Boxing Zone reader reviews. These guys know their boxing books.

"The Sharkey book is excellent ..... a great read. Well researched and cuts through all the romantic bullshit and rose-tinted versions of events that are usually peddled about fighters of his era."

"Just received the book Down Under. It is brilliant!
Looks a million dollars."

Tom Sharkey - the Proud Sailor

Tom Sharkey's pride in his United States military connections never left him.

In 1912, Police Gazette owner Richard K Fox published Navy Drill, a 73-

page book by Sharkey with a list of exercises to keep the serviceman

in shape!

We've started a new folder of photos dedicated to Sharkey's naval career here.

Preview pages of I Fought Them All

If you want to take a look inside our biography of Tom Sharkey, 'I Fought Them All', follow this link to the website of designer Steven Levers.

Knockout coverage on the Cyber Boxing Zone

Wow! Incredible coverage of the "fantastic new boxing book" 'I Fought Them All' over on the fight fan's internet Bible, Cyber Boxing Zone.
As well as the knockout coverage on the home page, top ring historian Tracy Callis has donned his gloves to celebrate the book's release.
"Finally," writes Callis, "someone has written a book about one of the roughest, toughest and most aggressive men ever to enter the ring. A fighter of the Tom Sharkey caliber should have a book written about him. Greg Lewis and Moira Sharkey have done a splendid job."
He praises the historical descriptions of Ireland and New York in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. "We come way with a much better appreciation of the social conditions and attitudes of the people."
But he concentrates on the descriptions of the great fights against Choynski, Corbett, Fitzsimmons, Maher, Ruhlin and McCoy.
"The description of his two fights with Jeffries are absorbing. Chapter Eight is subtitled 'Ninety-nine Minutes of Hell' [and is about] the second fight between the two super warriors. An awesome battle, indeed!"
Callis concludes: "Whether one is a boxing historian interested in great detail or a casual follower of the sport, the book is a must read about one of the ring's top old warriors."

Irish Emigrant jumps into Tom Sharkey's corner

Great article in the current issue of the Irish Emigrant - an excellent website for Irish communities around the world - about Magic Rat Books' brand new biography of boxing legend Tom Sharkey.

'The colorful life and times of one of Ireland’s forgotten sporting heroes is revealed in I Fought Them All, a new biography by Greg Lewis and Moira Sharkey,' writes the website and magazine.

'"Sailor" Tom Sharkey, whom the New York Times once described as a “ring immortal,” fought the first four heavyweight champions under the Marquis of Queensberry rules – becoming a boxing legend and a very wealthy man in the process.

'Yet the amazing full story of his early life in Dundalk, Co. Louth, his career in the U.S. Navy and his controversial ring career has never been told – until now.'

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AT THE IRISH EMIGRANT.

Jaw-crunchin' and shoulder rubbin'

How about these two fascinating images of boxing legend Tom Sharkey!

Above is a jaw-crunching illustration showing Jim Jeffries landing one on Tom. It's taken from The Ring magazine of July 1944.

Below is a photo showing Sharkey and Jeffries in their later years rubbing shoulders with baseball star Babe Ruth.

Sharkey and Jeffries' two fights of the last few years of the 19th Century revealed a bitter rival - but also formed the basis of an amazing friendship which was to last until they died a few weeks apart in 1953.

Tom Sharkey On Facebook

Keep up with the latest Tom Sharkey news and photos on Facebook.

Chronicle of a boxing legend - Dundalk Democrat

The Dundalk Democrat has featured our book in a special article.

The book “chronicles Tom’s early life… his career in the US Navy and his controversial and bloody ring career”.
“At its heart is the astonishing 50-year rivalry and friendship Sharkey enjoyed with Jim Jeffries,” says the paper.
Tom might not have received the recognition he deserved in recent years but, adds the paper, “now he will be forever remembered in ‘I Fought Them All’”.

Men of Iron

See LL Roberts article on Tom Sharkey here.