Welcome! You are reading Books & Biceps #298.

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BOOKS

The War: Hagler-Hearns and Three Rounds for the Ages by Don Stradley

Depending on which boxing aficionado you talk to, the “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler vs. Tommy Hearns fight that took place on April 15th, 1985 featured either the “Greatest Round in the History of Boxing” or the “The Greatest 3 Rounds in the History of Boxing” or both.

Are these declarations hyperbole? Maybe… Maybe not… But one thing is undeniable: You can’t have a conversation about the most exciting, punch-packed, audience-jacked rounds in boxing’s long legacy without bringing up these two fighters.

Hagler always felt like a smaller, more deadly version of Bald Bull from Nintendo’s ‘Mike Tyson’s Punch Out’ to me and since he was the pride of Brockton, Mass, I grew up rooting for him.

Admittedly, I was really young when this fight took place and was only 9 when he lost his final fight to Sugar Ray Leonard, BUT, this Hagler-Hearns fight has only grown in stature through the years. It seems like every month someone on Twitter is posting the legendary third round and next thing you know, it’s got millions of views for the millionth time.

The video of the full 1st round on YouTube has 10 MILLION VIEWS and you can watch it here.

And yet, the fight itself changed venues several times, changed distribution several times, was canceled and rescheduled twice, involved several lawsuits and was almost sabotaged by Don King. The purse bounced around from $5 million to $4 million to $3 million and back up. Meanwhile, Hearns had his sights on Hagler but Hagler had his sights on Sugar Ray Leonard…

Until, finally, the fight came together and became a milestone moment in each of their careers. This whole saga has always fascinated me and thankfully, Don Stradley tackled the topic in his book, The War. If you’re into boxing and great sportswriting, you will 100% love reading this. Bonus points if you lived through the 70s, 80s and 90s boxing scene. Check it out here.

BICEPS

At the end of last year, I committed to entering at least one event each month for 2024. Could be a 5K, an ocean swim, a triathlon… anything to compete and help me stay motivated to train.

One of my tricks to make sure I made good on my commitment was to schedule as many of these events in advance so they were already on the calendar for me. This way, I wouldn’t bail last minute.

Great plan, right? In theory. The only flaw is, well, me.

I put these races on the calendar so long ago I didn’t bother to double check them, which led to this photo:

This is the smile of a moron…

A moron who showed up at 7AM to a park to run a 5K on the wrong day at the wrong time… BUT… Incredibly there was another charity 5K race at the same park.

So I registered 15 minutes before the start & took 2nd in the 45+ age group. Ha!

Yes, that happened, which meant two things: 1) I’m a moron. 2) I had a race to run the very next weekend that I’d already signed up for.

The good news is that I ran my fastest 5k ever in the second race, breaking 25 minutes for the first time and I’ve now done 6 events in 2024, so I’m one ahead if I can’t make one later in the year.

My training plan for 5Ks is simple: Run a 5k hard on Sundays… Run 2-Miles easy on Wednesdays… Play hoops on Friday.

There you go, the 5K training routine of champions!

QUICK FLEXES

One of my favorite sports books of all time is Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights and one of my favorite football movies of all time is Friday Night Lights and one of my favorite TV shows of all time is… you guessed it… Friday Night Lights.

And while the movie is based on the book and the TV show is a completely new creative take on the book, all three standalone as masterpieces, in my opinion. And thanks to my dad sharing this excerpt from Julian Edelman’s “Games With Names” podcast, I learned that the entire FNL empire might not have happened if not for one man. This is a great short story (way to look out for the B&B crew Big H):

If you didn’t see this incredible video about a hero beekeeper dad at an MLB game, you’ll want to watch it right now:

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How to Honor Our Meathead Agreement

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If you enjoy reading this newsletter every week, let’s spot each other.

Let’s consider my writing and sending each issue of Books & Biceps my spotting you the best books, interviews and meathead content around.

Your spot to me is that you share this issue with ONE person who you think would like it.

That’s the deal. I spot you. You spot me. Just like the gym. Thanks!

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STRONG LINKS:

1) Running sucks! But I make myself do it.

Lately, I’ve become interested in learning about the mechanics of running, prepping for races and more. This newsletter, The Rundown shares unique stories as well as stretches, nutrition tips and even cool upcoming races you might be interested in. You can join here.

2) Do you run a start-up? Have you ever wondered what tools and tactics the best founders use? This newsletter, Big Desk Energy, gives you deep insight into the ins, outs, dos, don’ts and definitely don’ts when it comes to starting a company - all with a little humor involved. Check it out.

3) Readers always ask me what supplements I take or what pre-workouts and protein powder I use. I’ve been using the same brand since they launched about a decade ago: Jym Supplements. I’ve known the owner and founder for fifteen years and it’s the best tasting, highest quality stuff around. Try my favorite pre-workout (Blue Arctic Freeze) and protein powder (S’mores) here.

Thank you all for reading and have a phenomenal weekend!

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BONUS 2: Have you read these greatest hits?

1) This feature has been read by more than 10 MILLION PEOPLE:

How ESPN’s SportsCenter United a Generation in the 90s

2) This breakdown of iconic author Lee Child’s success was read by over 4 MILLION:

Did you know Lee Child started his Jack Reacher literary empire with $6?

PPS: You still reading Gus and Mallory? Thanks for getting through the whole thing! No skimming!