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July 20, 2008

'Gloves' reveals vast boxing scene

Non-writers take a shot at boxing history in Vermont

By NICK ST. DENIS

As a retired WCAX sportscaster said in the end of "Gloves," the extensive boxing scene in Vermont is "a history that would be lost if not published."

Fortunately, authors Ernie Farrar and Alan E. Rubel and editor Robert Winkler not only published its history, but captured its essence, as well.

They take readers on a punch-for-punch journey through the people and stories that made the boxing ring a haven for so many from Vermont and its surrounding areas, fighters and fans alike.

"Gloves" may serve as a wake-up learning experience for those who are unaware of the vast boxing scene that existed throughout Vermont and Northern New York, as well as a pleasant reminisce for those involved. Avid boxing fans may also take a strong interest in the accounts.

The book consists of stories about prominent characters in Vermont boxing history, including the likes of Buster Beaupre, Bernie Cummings and Cowboy Lewis, and is supplemented by a variety of photos and fliers relating to the stories.

An important element that the authors seem to capture in "Gloves" is the everyday workmanlike lives and attitudes of the people involved.

Whether you're reading about a high-school dropout's journey from street fighting to ESPN's Friday Night Lights, or a one-and-done punch before the bell from a "pale chested farm boy from Charlotte" at a heavily favored "would-be world-class boxer," there is something very blue-collar about the stories.

Readers picking up the book who take interest in a particular story or time period will not miss out by just reading a certain section, because the stories are broken up into one to three pages each and are ordered chronologically.

Since the book is written chronologically, the first sections contain a lot of newspaper clippings and primary accounts due to lack of first-hand witnesses during the earlier years.

However, readers should not shy away as more commentary and finer description waits in the later chapters, making the read much easier.

The majority of the subjects' stories are told by the authors, though pieces written by boxers, trainers or family members themselves keep things fresh and brings the characters alive.

Plattsburgh is featured in its own section in chapter three called "The Glory Years: 1961-1964 Plattsburgh, NY," in which the city is referred to as "no stranger to the boxing life."

Plattsburgh Air Force Base was somewhat of a breeding ground for boxers in the Vermont scene, as some from the base spurt up from time to time throughout the book.

Many names linked to Plattsburgh and its surrounding areas are discussed in "Gloves," most notably a story on Frankie DeCarlo and his son Wendell "Buddy" Decarlo, an International Hall of Famer.

AuSable's Paul Savage, a standout athlete in the North Country and five-time Vermont Champion, is featured in the book, as well.

Other notable names from Plattsburgh and its surrounding areas include Mickey Ashline, Art Primrose, Alonzo Moose, Patrick Malloy, Edgar Jones and Jim Lester.

Despite a choppy and slightly confusing beginning, "Gloves" really picks up heat after just a few pages.

It is noted in the preface that neither of the authors are writers, but that they did "their very best putting pen to paper," and that the book will be updated with new information and additional faces in the future.

With a more intriguing account of the earliest part of the century in the first chapter and a few more proof reads, Farrar, Rubel and Winkler may have as close to a seamless product as they can produce.

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