Part Three Summary and Analysis

Mailer vs. Mailer: A Talk About the Sport of Boxing

This interview first appears in "Stop Smiling" on April 15, 2005.

Boxing had been a favorite sport of the Mailer family for many years. Norman believes that the lower weight classes require more skill. Middleweights are the most exciting to watch. Heavyweights are the clumsiest of the fighters but still Norman finds it the most exciting class. John thinks the Ultimate Fighting Championship demonstrates that the toughest boxer is not necessarily the toughest man. The Ultimate fighters come from different disciplines including sumo wrestling and jujitsu. Norman thinks that a jujitsu champion could never hold up against a professional heavyweight.

John asks Norman if he thinks a large ego is necessary to be a good fighter. Norman responds that a strong ego is necessary to match the intensity of the sport...