Mark Allen Baker
A former business executive, Mark Allen Baker is an American biographer and historian. Known for his work on American culture, history and sports, Baker has written twenty-five books including biographies on three members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame: "Battling Nelson, The Durable Dane'' (2016), ''The Fighting Times of Abe Attell'' (2017), and "Lou Ambers: A Biography of the World Lightweight Champion and Hall of Fame" (2021). His recent work, in the area of Sports and Social Science includes: "Between The Ropes at Madison Square Garden, The History of an Iconic Boxing Ring, 1925-2007," and "The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937 (Drawing The Color Line) ."
Works
Lou Ambers: A Biography of the World Lightweight Champion and Hall of Famer
Born Luigi d'Ambrosio, Lou Ambers grew up in Herkimer, New York, during the Great Depression. He and his nine siblings watched their father lose his business. Then they lost their father. Taking to the ring as a "bootleg" boxer to support his family, "The Herkimer Hurricane" soon became an undefeated contender, losing only one of more than fifty fights in his first three years as a professional. A keen judge of distance with prodigious hand speed, he worked just within punching range, busily slipping and feinting, then slashing in with hooks and uppercuts.
In 1935, he faced his idol and mentor, Tony Canzoneri, who lost the world lightweight championship to his former sparring partner in a 15-round decision. Ambers held the title for three years, losing it in an historic fight with the formidable Henry Armstrong but regaining it in a rematch the following year. As the 1930s ended, so did Amber's impressive career, with title and rematch losses to Lew Jenkins. This book chronicles the life of one of the great 20th century lightweights.
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Location
Hebron, CT
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Category
Entertainment & Culture, General Non-Fiction, Biography & History