Book review: From Boxing Ring To Battlefield - The life of war hero Lew Jenkins

Years ago, after reading about former lightweight champion Lew Jenkins, a line from the classic boxing movie Body and Soul came to mind.

“The guy’s crazy, crazy.”

Jenkins was, but his ring exploits were only part of the story. The other?

Lew Jenkins was a hero.

Boxing writer Gene Pantalone examines all aspects of Jenkins’ roller-coaster life in the new biography, From Boxing Ring to Battlefield.

First off, Jenkins, born and raised in Texas during the Great Depression, was a natural fighter. His fistic career began at local carnivals and barrooms. He won some and lost some, but his deadly right hand, that would pave the way to ring glory, was developing. Eventually, he made it to the Big Apple where he was immensely popular, and quotable.

He did most of his training at local bars, hobnobbing with Hollywood legends, like boxing fan Humphrey Bogart. It didn’t hurt that his unofficial manager, wife Katie, was pretty, intelligent, and a pugilistic trendsetter.

Pantalone writes about Jenkins’ boxing career without judgment, laying it out for the reader to understand what was going on behind the scenes. The man fought everybody, from champion Lou Ambers, whom he knocked out to win the world lightweight title, Fritzie Zivic, Bob Montgomery, and legendary Henry Armstrong.

By 1941, Jenkins, though barely 26, had lost his title, and most of his ring money. Boxing wasn’t fun anymore. His drinking was out of control. The fighting man distinguished himself after the breakout of World War II – joining the Coast Guard and participating in the invasion of Normandy.

A ring comeback after the war produced a few wins and losses, but Jenkins had found his calling elsewhere.

With America’s participation in the Korean War, Jenkins re-upped in the infantry division – serving with distinction at both Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Bridge. His courage earned him the Silver Star for bravery. His depth of character was never more evident than on the battlefield.

Author Pantalone fills his book with quotes from many who knew Jenkins, the result being a complete and layered look at the former champion’s life and redemption.

Highly recommended.

Pickup your copy here:

www.amazon.com/Boxing-Ring-Battlefield-Life-Jenkins/dp/153811674X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lew+Jenkins&qid=1611237531&sr=8-1