BOOK
Why I Box allows the viewer to accompany Salomon on a photographic journey into the amateur boxing world in New York City. Salomon tells his own story of how he began and continued this project for over ten years.
Of greater importance are the words of many of the boxers themselves as they answer,”Why do you box?” The words they write range from just a single sentence to an entire page. Each writing is honest and direct.
REVIEWS
Ralph Salomon’s new book Why I Box is an absolute gem of an insight to the highs and lows of amateur boxing, fantastic pictures taken by Ralph over a lot of years with a lovely tribute to Patrick Day (rip). A really nice guy and always reaches out to myself and our club.
Also, I wouldn’t have gone as far as I have in boxing making dreams come true without my coach Ryan O’Leary, another gentleman who gave time up for me over the years. I’ll be back over soon enough looking forward too meeting you all again.
I’d like too take this opportunity to thank Ralph Salomon and Ryan O'Leary for there friendship over the last 10 yrs; without knowing these guys I wouldn’t be connected with USA stateside boxing.
Will Rossall, Kinsale Boxing Club, Ireland
Why I Box by Ralph Salomon delves into the life of different boxers, who uses the sport as a means of self-discovery and personal transformation. The stories are paired with beautifully strong photos.
Salomon's writing is raw and unflinching, offering readers a front-row seat to the grueling training sessions, the highs of victory, and the lows of defeat.
One of the book's strengths is Salomon's ability to articulate the complex emotions that accompany his journey. The book is not just about boxing; it’s about resilience.
His reflections on pain, discipline, and the quest for meaning in life resonate far beyond the confines of the boxing ring.
Ralph Salomon’s journey is a testament to the power of sport to transform lives and the importance of confronting one’s fears to achieve true self-understanding.
Larissa, Switzerland
Ralph,
The book is beautiful man! I appreciate you sending it to me. I boxed (trained at gyms) in the early 90s and the early 2000s.
I started at the Jerome Boxing Club off of 149th St. and Jerome Avenue. My trainer at the time was Alexander Newbold, A.K.A. “Elliot Ness”, who was a bodyguard (later) for Shane Mosely.
“Ness” also trained James Butler, the “Harlem Hammer” who eventually murdered a dear and close friend of mine Sam Kellerman; a tragic story, which I am sure you are familiar with.
I quit for a while, and in the early 2000’s I trained with the famous “George Washington” at the Bed-Stuy Boxing Club at Marcus-Garvey and Gates Ave. in Brooklyn.
I never trained to be a pro, only to be in shape and to attempt the Golden Gloves which I was never allowed due to being on Blood-Thinners because I’m prone to clotting (Pulmonary-embolis) in the lungs.
Sorry for the extended rant, but I wanted to share the artistic AND physical/spiritual connection I have with the book… and how I experienced much of the grit and sweat of some great gyms and their antiquity…
Alexander, California