The Last Great Fight

The Last Great Fight cover
Good Books rating 4.58
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Technical
  • ID: 8234
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-21
  • ISBN: 9781906217136
  • Published: 2008-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

In 1990, James 'Buster' Douglas achieved the impossible, knocking out Heavyweight Champion 'Iron' Mike Tyson in the tenth round of their title fight. This book takes readers behind the scenes of this epic battle, offering a unique perspective on the lives of both fighters. It delves into the personal struggles, the intense training, and the monumental impact of this historic event. /n/n Beyond the fight itself, the book explores the cultural significance of the match and its lasting legacy in the world of sports. It's a gripping account that combines sports journalism with a deep dive into the human stories behind the headlines.

Reviews
The Rumpus Compass · 2014-03-11
compelling 4.50

The book is praised for its compelling narrative and thorough research, capturing the essence of a legendary boxing match and its impact on the fighters. The reviewer highlights the author's ability to bring the story to life with vivid details and insightful commentary.

The reviewer commends Joe Layden's The Last Great Fight for its gripping account of James 'Buster' Douglas's victory over Mike Tyson. They appreciate the depth of research and the vivid storytelling that brings the fight and its aftermath to life. The reviewer also notes how the book explores the personal journeys of both fighters, providing a nuanced perspective on the event. Overall, the book is seen as a must-read for boxing enthusiasts and anyone interested in the human drama behind sports history.


Quick quotes

    On all three counts, Joe Layden's The Last Great Fight, telling the story of James 'Buster' Douglas's astonishing defeat of Mike Tyson, has a ...

    The book is praised for its compelling narrative and thorough research, capturing the essence of a legendary boxing match and its impact on the fighters.

    The reviewer highlights the author's ability to bring the story to life with vivid details and insightful commentary.

Bad Left Hook · 2013-05-15
definitive 4.50

The reviewer considers the book the definitive account of Tyson's loss to Douglas, praising its detailed and engaging narrative. The book is seen as a must-read for boxing fans and anyone interested in the sport's history.

The reviewer at Bad Left Hook describes The Last Great Fight as the definitive account of Mike Tyson's upset loss to James 'Buster' Douglas. They praise Joe Layden's detailed and engaging narrative, which brings the event to life with vivid descriptions and insightful commentary. The reviewer notes that the book is a must-read for boxing fans and anyone interested in the sport's history, capturing the drama and significance of the fight. The book is seen as a compelling and authoritative account of one of the most memorable moments in boxing history.


Quick quotes

    Layden's book came out in 2010 and is the definitive account of Tyson's humiliating upset loss to Buster Douglas in February, 1990.

    Reading it ...

    The reviewer considers the book the definitive account of Tyson's loss to Douglas, praising its detailed and engaging narrative.

The Independent · Chris Maume · 2008-02-20
masterpiece 4.75

The reviewer finds the book to be a masterpiece, praising its detailed account of the fight and the profound impact it had on the fighters. The background stories and the author's interviews with key figures add depth to the narrative.

Chris Maume from The Independent calls The Last Great Fight a masterpiece, highlighting Joe Layden's meticulous research and engaging storytelling. The reviewer appreciates the detailed account of the fight and the profound impact it had on both James 'Buster' Douglas and Mike Tyson. Maume also notes the author's interviews with key figures, which add depth and authenticity to the narrative. The book is seen as a compelling read that captures the essence of the event and its lasting legacy.


Quick quotes

    Joe Layden has talked to all the key figures involved and his account of the fight is compelling, but the background to that collision in Tokyo, and the ...

    Masterpiece on a bloodied canvas: Buster boxes clever to turn iron into gold.

    The reviewer finds the book to be a masterpiece, praising its detailed account of the fight and the profound impact it had on the fighters.

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