Rating: 
Summary: Another typical Paladin Press production...
Review: Don't let the other reviewers fool you, this is NOT a controversial book! Very little is actually said about Asian martial arts relative to the book's topic: Boxing as a Martial Art. There is not much in the way of comparison or contrast... mostly a few comments here and there emphasizing "This is how WE do it!" (WE being Westerners). Too bad, because such an indepth analysis would be great.Sadly, there's actually little said even about Boxing as a Martial Art. Instead of showing off Boxing's strengths and weaknesses and analysis of Boxing as a complete Martial Arts system, we're basically given a book of boxing principles and fundamentals (that all boxers should already know), examples of how Champs from the first half of the 1900's used them, and the author's brief hypothesis of how they'd work in a street fight. A little bit is thrown in about dirty tricks & hand conditioning, etc. but the bulk of the book is just boxing fundamentals presenting in an ego-stroking way (ie, "If you got this down you'll KO any dojo dork that crosses your path!"). The introducing first chapter "Why Boxing?" is by far the most provocative and interesting part of the book (you'll notice that the majority of the reviews address that portion). Unfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't compare. If you're a total newbie to boxing but are considering it- this is a nice flowing read with enough ego-stroking to keep you interested. However, if you're actually a boxer, you'll probably be disappointed by the lack of new information. And if you're like me, you'll be unhappy with the lack of text dedicated to the analysis of Boxing as a Martial Art.
Rating: 
Summary: championship streetfighting
Review: excellent and very useful this is the number one book in my library. Mr Beaumont explains all the essential blows which are most useful in a streetfight, as well as practical tricks and training tips. The explanations are very clear so that you can "feel" if you are doing right or wrong when working out. Of all the books of various fighting systems - boxing included - i have read in thirty years, this is absolutely the best and most useful. It really teaches you how to fight EFFECTIVELY. I hope Mr Beaumont will make a video as well.
Rating: 
Summary: You need Practice..A Grapplers advice
Review: From a Grapplers stand point this is cream knowledge for a guy that does know how to strike. I'm a grappler, I rearely strike, but striking is part of the game. Well When I picked up this book I expected somthing different. What I got was a technical book explaining the priciples of boxing. I'm really not a fan of eastern martial arts (being that I practiced Karate for years) Beumount seems to share my sentament. The book gives a good history lesson, and "Lessons from the Champ" that explain the reason why Beumount endorses his plan of action. Fom experience Beumount gave better advice in one book on Boxing than 4 years of American Karate blending with "Boxing Concepts" gave to me...If your a Grappler or a Martial Artist Buy this book and Practice these techs..If your a boxer you probally aready know about this...but It's still a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, A No [pooh] Guide
Review: Great read. Eloquent and funny. Packed with no-nonsense advice. The most important points: Boxing is about control. You can modulate your level of force from your average bar-room brawl all the way to a deadly encounter. Many martial arts are either too "strip mall" wimpy or too "commando" deadly, but boxing is flexible. Great advice on how to properly land punches without busting your hands (something that Karate fails to do entirely). Has section on fouls, for when you're fighting for keeps. Talks about proper technique, punch combinations, mindset, footwork, training and all the goodies. Quite complete. Gives examples about boxing legends, going back to the 18th century, including turn-of-the-century bare-knuckle champs.
The only thing I would add is the back-hand punch in the fouls section, which is a useful follow-up to an elbow hook when infighting. Proves something important: A large percentage of "martial arts" are a complete waste of time if you wish to be a serious fighter. Author has praise for grappling, which complements boxing (if the fight goes to the mats, as it often does), which proves he's not biased, just realistic.
Rating:
Summary: Sober Reality in a Witty Package
Review: Great read. Eloquent and funny. Packed with no-nonsense advice. The most important points: Boxing is about control. You can modulate your level of force from your average bar-room brawl all the way to a deadly encounter. Many martial arts are either too "strip mall" wimpy or too "commando" deadly, but boxing is flexible. Great advice on how to properly land punches without busting your hands (something that Karate fails to do entirely). Has section on fouls, for when you're fighting for keeps. Talks about proper technique, punch combinations, mindset, footwork, training and all the goodies. Quite complete. Gives examples about boxing legends, going back to the 18th century, including turn-of-the-century bare-knuckle champs.
The only thing I would add is the back-hand punch in the fouls section, which is a useful follow-up to an elbow hook when infighting. Proves something important: A large percentage of "martial arts" are a complete waste of time if you wish to be a serious fighter. Author has praise for grappling, which complements boxing (if the fight goes to the mats, as it often does), which proves he's not biased, just realistic.
Rating:
Summary: Basically, how to box.
Review: I am a former golden gloves boxer. I am also a traditional Chinese Internal martial arts practitioner. If you are looking for fast results to deal with an immediate threat, then this book is for you. Beaumont teaches you how to hit HARD. And it is effective for street defense. Oh I know that a lot of my peers will disagree with me. Sure If I haul off and hit someone closed fisted to the face, my hand will probably break, but his face will be demolished and I have a better chance of running away with a broken hand than he does with a mutilated face. I do think that Beaumont short changes the Asian martial arts too much but it is probably based on his exposure to the westernized martial arts we have here which in my opinion are missunderstood and as a result-dumbed down. With that aside it is an informative book on generating external power.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, if a little repetitive
Review: I found the content of this book very useful, and enjoyed the authors use of historical anecdotes to reinforce his point. His constant bashing of 'strip mall karatekas' and harping about 'real combat' and 'bone-crushing blows' should have been a little more aggressively edited. His point is sound, but gets tiring after the first chapter and doesn't quit until the last page. As an ex-bouncer and bartender, I have encountered plenty of tough guys, fights, ambushes, and general mayhem, and the authors words have the ring of authenticity to them. The technical content was useful and to the point. All in all, this is an excellent reference, albeit with a less than optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Rating: 
Summary: Boxing is not the all powerful way to fight
Review: I have studied ju-jitsu for 13 years. I do not have the philosophies that i was taught in my younger days by my Sensei of the only fight when you have to. I have grown to like fighting, and i will fight dirty when in a streetfight. The author of this book is judging the eastern arts very blindly. The martial arts are highly destructive when applied by a knowledgable user. I have not come in contact with one straight boxer that has gotten more than a couple of jabs on an experienced combat martial artist before the fight was over. I will admit that if we get hit by a haymaker or hook we will probably get knocked out, but if a boxer hits a martial artist with a haymaker then he was not fighting a true combat martial artist. when a boxer lifts his shoulder i know he's about to jab. When his arms go outward i know he is about to hook and so forth. Boxing is good if you are about to fight someone who does not know how to fight or when you fight another boxer. Until a boxer comes into contact with a serious martial artist and defeats him/her no problem, then i may change my mind about boxing. Until then i recommend taking a serious study on how to fight.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Accurate with a few misconceptions.
Review: I just got the book and am enjoying it immensley. The author seems to put down Martial Arts of Asia but upon reading more closely he is putting down the methods employed by "modern" artists. The only total inaccuracy I have come across in the book thus far is on page 39. The author states that "the three knuckle landing is unique to Boxing". Sorry but Wing Chun uses the vertical punch landing with the bottom three knuckles as its standard weapon. There are other arts that teach it as well. The information in the book is good enough without needing to put down any other arts. Boxing is an effective art and does not need to be puffed up with inaccuracies. I agree that Boxing as taught in the ring today is ineffective and lacks the substance as that taught in the Book.
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: I thought that Mr. Beaumont did an excellent job on this book. I would recomend it to any boxing fan. However, I do not view boxing alone as a good means of self defense. While the fist, covered with gauze, tape, and 8 oz. gloves may be effective in the ring it is not in the street. The fist is made up of tiny, fragile bones, that break easily. I also noted that Mr. Beaumont has a hatred for eastern martial arts. That is really too bad, because most martial arts are a great compliment to boxing.
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