Review of WBC Greatest Fights Opus
By James Blears
Every devoted fan of boxing will cherish and marvel at the brand-new WBC Greatest Fights Opus Book, chronicling 100 of the greatest World Boxing Council contests in the sport.
The already famed jumbo edition, which weighs in at a hefty Guinness record breaking 37 kilos is staining the glass topped coffee table. But there's also a paperback version for all to enjoy.
Starting from Valentines Day 1963, up to the here and now, this is a gift of a book which will make a sheer and absolutely marvelous stocking filler for Christmas… but why wait?
Written by Opus Chief Writer Ian Stafford, who is a famed multi award-winning journalist, this book contains over 350 pages all about the very best of boxing. So, for boxing fans, it's a joy to read. Part of it's genius is that each fight is described in two pages to capture the history, passion, pure essence and majesty of those fights within this succinct yet succulent parameter.
If you love Boxing, you simply will not be able to put this book down.
The great, historic, immortal fights are contained within it's hallowed pages emblazed with the exploits of Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Ken Norton, Sonny Liston, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duan, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Wilfredo Benitiez, Saul Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin… and more.
The author creates the time to tell the stories leading up to the fights, the fabulous bouts themselves and the sequels, in perceptive, meticulous and exquisite detail. Because, these boxers are not fighting machines, they're flesh and blood human beings with God given skills, inspired and driven by iron will and unquenchable willpower. The collective spark which illuminates them. Their greatness lies in a refusal to lie down and give up, no matter what the predicament. Measured and indeed immeasurable willpower can be gauged by the temerity to go on come what may, and often as not to even step back from the brink of defeat, to achieve supreme victory and with it, all time greatness. The fights between Julio Cesar Chavez vs Meldrick Taylor, Diego Corrales vs Jose Luis Castillo plus Carl Froch vs Jermain Taylor, are particular relevant as salient examples of this.
It's refreshing and insightful that some lesser known fights from years gone by are featured, such as Rafael “Bazooka” Limon vs Bobby Chacon, Carlos Ortiz vs Ultimino “Sugar” Ramos and the absolutely extraordinary Efren Torres vs Chartchi Chinoi.
Trilogies between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Erik Morales nd Marco Antonio Barrera, and more recently Tyson Fury vs Deontary Wilder all feature too. 'The Gypsy King' 
When you've read WBC Greatest Fights Opus, you can flip back to its index, because all of the fights are there one by one, with their place meticulously denoted via page numbers.
A Panel of Champions deliberated over these fights and voted for their best dozen. Their number one pick was The Rumble in the Jungle, when Muhammad Ali employed the Rope a Dope tactic to dismantle the invincibility of the fearsome puncher, Big George Foreman, who himself came back 20 years later to achieve the seemingly impossible and win a version of the heavyweight title at the age of 45, a record then now surpassed by the incredible Bernard Hopkins.
We think we know it all about the classic fights… but do we? Ian reveals hitherto unknown snippets and gems which enlarge the depth and breadth and scope of our knowledge, and there are quotes from the fighters on these pages encapsulating their greatness, magnanimity and grace.
The winner celebrates and exhales a sigh of relief in the moment of sweet triumph. But the fighter who has just tasted bitter defeat, also has heartfelt words, which will sting the eyes of the reader, due to their heartfelt humanity and humility. Losing isn't a disgrace, only not trying. All of these fighters are tryers!
There are many fantastic books about boxing, but this one is colossus that every fan must own.
Reading it once is a delight. Re-reading it at your leisure is a must.
To learn even more please go to: WWW.THISISOPUS.COM/WBC
