The Fighting Times of Abe Attell

Abraham Washington Attell (1883–1970) was among the cleverest, most scientific professional boxers ever to enter the ring. The native San Franciscan fought 172 times—with 127 wins, 51 by knockout—and successfully defended his World Featherweight Champion title 18 times between 1906 and 1912, defeating challengers who included Johnny Kilbane and Battling Nelson. Abe’s success inspired his brothers Caesar and Monte to take up the sport—Abe and Monte both held simultaneous world titles for a time.
This first ever biography covers Attell’s life and career. Growing up poor and Jewish in an predominantly Irish neighborhood, he faced his share of adversity and anti–Semitism. He was charged for alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. The charges were dropped but Attell was branded for the remainder of his life.

Mark Allen Baker, business executive and author of hundreds of articles and more than 25 books, is the only person to serve the International Boxing Hall of Fame as an author, historian, chairperson, sponsor, volunteer and biographer. He was accorded a Lifetime Award of Merit by the State University of New York in 2022, and inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.

Mark Allen Baker
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 278
Bibliographic Info: 45 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2018
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6432-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2899-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments x
Preface 1
Introduction 3
One. Rising to the Occasion, 1900–1901 5
Two. A Champion’s Ascent, 1902–1903 23
Three. The Triad to Legitimacy, 1904 38
Four. Not So Fast, 1905 49
Five. As World Champion, 1906 58
Six. Preserve and Defend, 1907 72
Seven. Minister of Defense, 1908 81
Eight. Two Champions, Two Divisions and One Family, 1909 101
Nine. A Champion’s Pace, 1910 114
Ten. From the Comfort of Home, 1911 128
Eleven. Losing the Title, 1912 144
Twelve. The Thrill Is Gone, 1913–1919 163
Thirteen. The Black Sox Scandal of 1919, 1919–1921 183
Fourteen. Misdeeds and Mishaps in the Roaring Twenties 207
Fifteen. The Great Depression and Beyond 220
Sixteen. Clever Beyond Words 232
Appendix: Abe Attell Official Record 235
Chapter Notes 243
Bibliography 261
Index 265

• “Baker brings the gutsy little featherweight back to his life with his wonderful and informative biography…vivid detail…thorough research and detailed description of [Attell’s] fights…Attell’s life story is given an honest treatment…Baker has done a Herculean task with his intensive research and thrilling writing style…highly recommended”—The USA Boxing News
• “smartly written…a solid achievement…a master of detail…[Baker’s] research is extensive and filled with fascinating facts…many striking images”—IBRO Journal
• “[Baker’s] research is extensive and filled with fascinating facts about Abe’s lengthy boxing career and life. A notable achievement.”—The Resident
• “smartly written…Baker’s book is a solid achievement. A master of detail, his research is extensive and filled with fascinating facts…many striking images of Attell.”—International Boxing Research Organization Journal