The Universal Sport

Readers, writers, and critics alike look forward to each new collection of Thomas Hauser's articles about todays boxing scene. Reviewing these books, Booklist has proclaimed, Many journalists have written fine boxing pieces, but none has written as extensively or as memorably as Thomas Hauser. Hauser remains the current champion of boxing. He is a treasure. Hausers newest collection meets this high standard. The Universal Sport features Hausers coverage of 2021 and 2022 in boxing. As always, Hauser chronicles the big fights and gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at boxings biggest stars. He offers a cogent look the rise of womens boxing and shines a penetrating light on the murky world of illegal performance enhancing drugs and financial corruption at the sports highest levels. He explores how boxing has become a tool in the high-stakes world of sportswashing by Saudi Arabia and a flash point for discussions about Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine. The book culminates in a memorable four-part essay on the craft of writing coupled with reflections on Hausers own induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.