Book Review: Undisputed: The Greatest Heavyweight Boxers Go Head to Head by Bruce Anthony

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What If Ali Fought Tyson?

You’re halfway through a quiet afternoon when someone asks, “Who would win—Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson in their prime?” It’s the kind of barbershop debate that sparks decades-long arguments and more than a few friendships tested. That question—and 19 more just like it—is exactly what Bruce Anthony dares to explore in Undisputed, a wildly inventive fantasy boxing novel that reads like part biography, part what-if showdown, and all heart.

Now, let’s be clear—this isn’t your typical sports novel. It’s not trying to glamorize the sport or sugarcoat the brutality. Instead, it leans into the punches, almost literally. With vivid, blow-by-blow scenes that make your knuckles tense just reading them, Anthony invites you right into the ring. You don’t watch the fights—you feel them. Hear the thud of leather. Smell the sweat. Wonder who’s going to stay on their feet.

But this book isn’t just about fantasy matchups. It’s a tribute to boxing’s legends, delivered by someone who clearly lives and breathes the sport. There’s reverence here—not just for their records, but for their humanity. You get glimpses into the lives of men like Foreman, Liston, Frazier, and Lennox Lewis, beyond the stats and the pay-per-view hype. You see the fighters behind the gloves: the triumphs, the trauma, the quiet loneliness between fights.

And if you’re not a boxing fan? You still might find yourself hooked. Why? Because Undisputed isn’t just about boxing—it’s about legacy. It’s about the stubborn hope that we can become more than what the world expects of us. Isn’t that the heart of every great underdog story?

Sure, the premise is unconventional. A fantasy league of fighters from different eras squaring off in hyper-detailed simulations? It could have gone sideways. But somehow, Anthony pulls it off with just enough storytelling flair and historical grounding to keep it from feeling gimmicky. He doesn’t just imagine fights—he builds them, layer by layer, showing you why they matter.

Of course, no book about GOATs is complete without a list to stir the pot. Anthony ranks his top 25 boxers of all time at the end—because what’s the point of reading about legends if you’re not going to argue over who really deserves the throne?

Is it perfect? Not quite. If you’re looking for a traditional narrative arc or a main character to follow, this isn’t that. It’s more like a collection of speculative bouts tied together by deep admiration and a shared love for the fight game. And for some, that format might feel a bit episodic or heavy on nostalgia.

But if you’ve ever sat in a garage with friends rewatching old boxing clips and arguing about fantasy face-offs, this book is for you. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the mentality of a champion—or just experience the raw, relentless poetry of the ring—Undisputed delivers.

In the end, Bruce Anthony doesn’t just celebrate boxing. He reminds us why we care about it in the first place. The drama. The discipline. The madness. And the magic.

It’s not just a book. It’s a round-by-round love letter to the fight.



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