Shot at a Brothel: The Spectacular Demise of Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena (Hamilcar True Crime Series)

Right when you think you know a lot about a subject a book comes along and shows you how much more there was to know...and it's all interesting. Not only does this book cover a fascinating era, but it elucidates on one of its most colorful characters.Oscar Bonavena had a lot of what it takes to be a champion. He hit hard, took a great shot and was as strong as a bull. But he just didn't have the discipline or respect for the sport that is absolutely required to rise to the top. He stands as a towering monument to poor decision making and a sometimes foolish attitude. It's easy to dislike him on several levels, but the author is smart enough to balance his many flaws with occasional glimpses into his good side.He apologized to opponents he had previously belittled after fights (including Muhammad Ali and Ron Lyle). He loved to laugh and joke with friends. He loved being around children and was a doting father to his own kids (And I was told by Jerry Quarry's mother years ago how sweet Oscar was to her, always fussing over her and calling her "mama" whenever he saw her).This is an excellent book, smoothly narrated and full of interesting anecdotes and stories. HIGHLY recommended.

I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 because the author at least TRIED to write a book on one of my favorite fighters from the 1960's-1970's, Oscar Bonavena.What came thru was the author didn't like his subject. He used way too many sarcastic and snarky comments about Bonavena all throughout the book. He gets plenty of facts mixed up, especially the interaction between Bonavena and Frazier. His descriptions of Bonavena's fights are accurate but woefully short. They remind me of the short fight summaries from a newspaper. There are only a few sentences about Bonavena's relationship with Sally Conforte. Very little detail on what exactly happened at the gate of the Mustang Ranch when Bonavena was shot and killed. Then the book just ends. It never talks about what happened to Joe and Sally Conforte and Willard Ross Bryner after Bonavena's death and their short jail terms. No mention of when they even died. Disappointed.The book was a good, detailed account of Joe Conforte's life. Very little about Oscar Bonavena that I hadn't already known.

I was always a fan of Bonavena, thinking of him as a sort of likable rogue. This well-written and entertaining book sheds light on how difficult he could be inside and outside the ring, as well as his relationship with lots of well-known 1970s boxing characters, both good and bad. It also chronicles his tempestuous relationship with Joe Conforte, a brothel owner who surrounded himself with an array of sleazy characters, one of whom killed Bonavena. A fast, fun read, highly recommended.

A interesting short read on the life and career of heavyweight boxing contender Oscar Bonavena. Bonavena, an Argentinian of Italian heritage, fought in the golden era of boxing during the mid 1960s and 1970s with the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. He was a clumsy technical boxer but very strong and came within a whisker of knocking out Frazier and gave Ali all he could handle during Ali's comeback after the miltary draft fight. However, Bonavena despite being talented, was a sidetracked by his vices and ended up getting involved with a brothel owner and carrying on with the owner's wife. He was shot and killed by one of the brothel owner's henchman attempting to enter the property after he had long overstayed his welcome. Good, quick read if you're a fan of that era of boxing and an athlete with loads of potential but tragically couldn't out of his own way. My only complaint with the book is the author didn't give that much credit to Bonavena as an athlete/ top contender in that era. Was he crude and oafish? Absolutely, but he made the best of his unrefined abilities to climb into the elite status of the heavyweight division. He was probably the best of the top contenders below Ali and Frazier in the late 1960's and gave those two loads of trouble in their respective fights with him (Bonavena).

The long-awaited debut from boxing writer, Knuckles & Gloves proprietor, and all-around boxing good-guy, Patrick Connor. It's a nice little book -- glossy cover, cool pictures, pulp ads to close the book.The book covers a lot of ground in 100 pages, and even the most casual boxing fan will recognize the context in which the Bonavena story takes place. Boxing has a sordid history, and Patrick Connor has a lot of stories to share. Here's hoping he shares a few more with us.Connor is renown for his low, soothing voice, so perhaps Hamilcar will splurge for an audio version of the book, due out in 2027.

I expected low quality writing and I got it.

Not the authors best work. I thought the subject would have led to greater depth but this book was fairly average and basic. My least favorite of the series thus far.

This was a quick and entertaining read. It is very clear that the author is very knowledgeable and spent a lot of time researching. You're left with the feeling that his could easily have been three times the length. I recommend this book from true crime fans or any fans of sports history.

I was looking for forward to reading this and I wasn't disappointed. Gave a great insight into a controversial character and his career and ultimate decline, I'd definitely recommend it and I certainly hope there's more to come from the author.

This is the story of the Argentine heavyweight Oscar Bonavena. He was one of the top heavyweights of the 1960's and met an untimely end by being shot at a brothel as the title suggests.This is not a long book, only 101 pages but it contains a lot of interesting information on the flamboyant fighter.There are no photos except for the cover and one more inside.The writer tells a good story and includes the sometimes outrageous Joe Conforte as a central player at the latter stages of Bonavena's life.If I had to nitpick I would have liked an epilogue with details of what happened to the main characters of the story as the years passed by.A good read as always from Hamilcar Noir.

Good interesting read

Excellent