Corwin Looks Back on ‘Six Decades of Boxing Gold’ With King, Arum in New Book

It was another fight week for Marty Corwin—but with an added twist.

In New York City to oversee production for the Keyshawn Davis-Denys Berinchyk event at Madison Square Garden’s Theater, Corwin had a packed schedule, as always.

“The press conference is tomorrow,” Corwin said on February 11. “Thursday is the weigh-in, and I have to set everything up all day. Friday is fight night, and I handle what’s called the world feed, meaning I produce and direct a show for all the countries airing it. I don’t have the full transmission list yet, but it’s usually 40 to 50 countries. Our feed is separate from ESPN’s because they have commercial breaks and on-camera commentators, which we can’t include for international broadcasters. So we create our own fully produced version that reaches a wide audience.”

Being a producer for a sports event is a crucial yet often unrecognized role. If everything runs smoothly, it’s expected. If problems arise, the boss calls. And for decades, Corwin’s bosses have been Don King or Bob Arum. The twist? While working for Top Rank as usual, Corwin was also promoting his new book, Arum and King: Six Decades of Boxing Gold. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at two of the sport’s most legendary promoters, as well as the world of boxing production and the sport itself.

Fitting all that into 232 pages is a challenge, but Corwin pulls it off with style. When we spoke, he wasn’t anxious about the book’s release.

“Im someone says it’s not the best book, I have the perfect excuse. I can say it’s my first.”

Corwin laughs, unbothered by juggling responsibilities. That’s the laugh of someone who has spent years managing high-stakes events. Those in the boxing industry will recognize the stories and nod in agreement, while outsiders will get a fascinating glimpse of what happens behind the scenes. One particularly gripping story involves a barroom brawl in England—no spoilers, but it’s worth reading.

Corwin’s expertise speaks for itself. Staying at the top level of the business for over 30 years is rare. Rather than just recounting the careers of King and Arum, he delves into the evolution of television production, making the book both informative and compelling. As for the legendary promoters, Corwin highlights how their unmatched work ethic has kept them active even into their 90s. Having observed them closely, he provides a unique perspective beyond press events and media appearances. These insights, along with countless behind-the-scenes stories, helped him secure a publisher.

“Rowman & Littlefield had published boxing books before, but they told me, ‘We don’t buy many now because they’re hard to sell. But we liked yours because it was different,’” Corwin recalled. “‘We’d never seen a boxing book from a TV producer’s perspective.’ So when people ask about the book, I tell them there’s something for everyone. If you’re a boxing fanatic, you’ll enjoy the history of great fights, like the Leonard-Duran series or Ali’s bouts. And then there are the lesser-known stories, like when Bob Arum brought ‘Big’ John Tate to South Africa in 1979 to fight Gerrie Coetzee. That event drew 80,000 fans and was the first time apartheid restrictions were lifted at a sporting event—Bob made that happen. And did you know Arum also promoted Evel Knievel’s Snake River jump?”

I didn’t, but that detail illustrates the depth of reporting in this book. In a genre where boxing books often struggle to sell, Corwin has created one that stands alongside works from Mark Kriegel, Donald McRae, Charles Farrell, Dave Wedge, Don Stradley, and Robert Anasi—making this a standout year for boxing literature.

“I actually began the book with a different idea,” Corwin said. “At first, it wasn’t even meant to be a book. I just wanted to document some of the things that have happened over the last 30-plus years—stories from my travels, working with the Colonel (Bob Sheridan), and all the wild experiences on the road. I started writing them down before I forgot them.”

A friend, a college English professor, read Corwin’s notes and urged him to publish them. He did—and now, even with his book launch, Corwin is back to work preparing for the Davis-Berinchyk fight, making sure he avoids another loss on his record.

“In 32 years of boxing, starting with Don King, I’ve only lost one fight,” he said. “Not a whole show, just one fight within a show. It happened in Philadelphia when we had a major power outage, and the generator failed with no backup. That’s my only loss in 32 years. I’ve had close calls, but that was the only one.”