Fighting is Like a Wife

Fighting Is Like a Wife is a book that uses striking visual poems to reconstruct the love story and tragedy of two-time world boxing champion "Schoolboy" Bobby Chacon and his first wife, Valorie Ginn. Bobby found a way out of the harsh world they were born into, but the brain-sloshing blows, women, and alcohol began to take their toll. Valorie sought her own way out of the dilemma, using haunting, visceral language to evoke the emotion of the fight and incorporating direct quotations from sports commentators and Bobby himself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Coffee House Press

In her captivating book, Fighting Is Like a Wife, Eloisa Amezcua skillfully reconstructs the tragic love story of two-time world boxing champion "Schoolboy" Bobby Chacon and his first wife, Valorie Ginn. Bobby approached fighting with an innate affinity, akin to a surfer's seamless connection with the ocean's waves and crests. Valorie, initially as his girlfriend and later as his wife and mother of their children, held immense pride in Bobby's ability to navigate the challenging world they were born into. However, the relentless toll of brain-sloshing blows, the allure of women, and the consumption of alcohol began to erode their relationship. Gradually, Bobby's hearing became impaired, rendering him unable to hear the voice of his beloved wife. Faced with an impossible predicament, Valorie sought her own path out of this quandary, intertwining her fate with Bobby's and his unwavering commitment to the ring.

Through the use of haunting and visceral language, Amezcua skillfully evokes the profound emotions associated with boxing, reminiscent of the intensity and vulnerability found in both love and poetry. The book incorporates direct quotations from sports commentators and Bobby himself, providing a firsthand account of the sport's brutality, resilience, and unexpected turns. Fighting Is Like a Wife offers a profound exploration of the complexities of human relationships, where passion, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness intertwine, often leading to unforeseen consequences. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the fragility of love and the sacrifices we must make in the name of our passions.

Dimension: 228 x 177 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781566896344