Being a boxing writer myself for many years, I can now fully appreciate when people told me for years that WC Heinz’s “The Professional” was the best boxing book ever written and one of the best novels of all time. There’s even an introduction from the iconic Elmore Leonard, where he credits Heinz as one of his mentors.

The book, written in 1958, is basically the life in training camp of a boxer named Eddie Brown, who after a long career in boxing, finally gets a shot at a world title. His cranky manager, Doc Carroll, has been in boxing forever, but Eddie Brown is Doc’s last chance at immortality in a sport Doc obviously loathes. Eddie seems to like everyone and Doc doesn’t trust anyone, leading to some interesting speeches about the inner workings of a sport that has been run by crooks and thieves since the early 20th century.

The book is written from the third-person point of view of sportswriter Frank Hughes, who accompanies Eddie to training camp, trying to capture the essence of a boxer’s life as he prepares for the biggest moment of his life. Frank is nothing more than a fly on the wall, trying to help Eddie and Doc, but at the same time maintaining a detachment that will make his magazine article unbiased and true.

The Pro is a must-read for boxing fans, but those who don’t really care about the sport may also enjoy this book, firm in the knowledge that WC Heinz is right with his observations about a slimy sport that hasn’t changed. . much from when this book was written 52 years ago.