Rewind back to the 1960s when Bob Trieger used to watch “Friday Night Fights” with his father. Truth be told, a young Trieger marveled at the punishment, sacrifice, and skill of the athletes inside the boxing ring, and years later, has just written a book to prove it.
Trieger, a former Item sports writer best known for his biweekly horse racing and monthly boxing columns, released a book titled “New England’s Greatest Boxers” last month, adding it’s the perfect Christmas present for New Englanders looking to debate.
“There’s never an agreement on who’s the best,” Trieger said. “I wrote a book about who’s the best.”
The veteran boxing columnist reached out to anyone he could get his hands on to help him with decision-making, including fans, journalists, photographers, fighters, coaches, officials, and trainers.
Trieger, who was born in Dorchester and grew up in Brighton, wanted to include young, middle-aged, and older perspectives, adding that everyone he reached out to was “very knowledgeable.”
“You name it, I got them,” Trieger, who spent more than 20 years covering Chelsea and Revere, said.
Including researched information as far back as 1876, the group started with a list of 100 names, then trimmed it down to 50 before finalizing the top 25.
The book also includes honorable mentions, as well as other subjects including major world title fights, New England boxers selected as Fighter of the Year, and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees from the area.
“There’s never a dull moment [in the book] because there’s nothing dull in boxing,” Trieger said. “It’s something I’m proud of.”
Trieger’s love for the sport runs deep. He went from being a fan, to a writer, then to a publicist. He was also the personal publicist for Mickey Ward and Jon Ruiz, and has worked 35 world title fights.
“I didn’t do it to make money; I did it to leave something behind,” Trieger said. “If I don’t get another nickel, that’s fine.”
As to what Trieger is up to now, his public relations company “Full Court Press” turns 25 years old in May. From interviews to press releases, the goal of the company is to help build sporting brands, mostly with boxers.
“[The goal is] to get people to know them,” Trieger said. “A lot of the boxers need guidance.”
Included in Trieger’s boxing work was his stint with the Item, which Trieger said his favorite parts were working with a “real daily paper,” and getting to know coaches, co-workers, and members of the community.
“I thought that was the greatest,” Trieger said. “It was so much fun.”
The love letter of a book is Trieger’s first, adding hopefully he can get more books done before he “hangs up the laptop.” With the holiday season in full spirit, the book is $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.FullCourtPressBoxing.com or contacting Bob Trieger at [email protected].
