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Bundini: Don't Believe The Hype
“Mr. Snyder writes lyrically, and his research appears to be It’s hard to imagine that anyone has slipped through his interview net… When Bundini died, Ali was abroad and unable to attend the funeral, but he sent flowers with a card that ‘ You made me the greatest.’ Many members of the boxing fraternity, George Foreman and Larry Holmes included, think that Ali wasn’t exaggerating. Mr. Snyder’s affecting portrait will convince the rest of us as well.” — Gordon Marino, Wall Street Journal “I think Bundini was the source of Muhammad Ali’s spirit. I wouldn’t even call him a trainer or cornerman, he was more important than a trainer. Ali had an unmeasurable determination and he got it from Bundini.” — George Foreman “When you talk about Bundini, you are talking about the mouthpiece of Muhammad Ali, an extension of Muhammad Ali’s spirit. There would never have been a Muhammad Ali without Drew Bundini Brown.” — Khalilah Camacho-Ali (Muhammad Ali’s second wife ) “Bundini gave Ali his entire heart. Bundini played a very important part in Ali’s career. He was Ali’s right hand man. He knew exactly how to motivate him. He was the one guy who could really get him up to train and get him ready to fight.” — Larry Holmes Fifty years after he coined the iconic phrase Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee , Drew “Bundini” Brown remains one of boxing’s most mysterious and misunderstood figures. His impact on the sport and the culture at large is undeniable. Cornerman and confidant to two of the greatest fighters ever—Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali—Brown lived an extraordinary American life. After a poverty-stricken childhood in Jim Crow Florida, Brown came of age traveling the world as a naval steward. On being discharged, he settled in New York City and spent wild nights in the jazz joints of Harlem, making a name for himself as the charismatic street philosopher and poet some called “Fast Black.” He married a white woman from a family of Orthodox Jewish immigrants, in dramatic defiance of 1950s cultural norms, and later appeared in films such as the blaxploitation classic, Shaft . In Bundini , Todd Snyder digs deep into Brown’s expansive story, revealing not only how he became Muhammad Ali’s “hype man,” but also, as boxing’s greatest motivator, how he became a model for others who seek to inspire, in any endeavor.
344 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2020
Drew “Bundini” Brown’s life is one that not many people, even boxing fans, can say they know well. That doesn’t mean it was boring – indeed, the man who was in Muhammad Ali’s corner for most of his career and his most legendary fights lived an exciting life that the author of this book, Todd D. Snyder, says that it is “once that not even the best Hollywood writers could have invented for the silver screen.”
Drawing off of many interviews with Bundini’s son, Drew III, as well as thorough research and stories from other people, a reader will be drawn into the world of Bundini from his humble beginnings in Sanford, Florida where he ended up being raised by his father when he and his mother separated to Harlem all the way to his poignant death in a hospital after falling at a run-down motel in California where he lived his last years penniless.
In between all that, Snyder paints a terrific picture of a man who was a hustler, servied in the navy as a porter, had a wonderful gift of gab, rebelled against social norms by marrying a white Jewish woman who had as big a rebellious streak as her husband and through his street smarts, worked for one of the many businesses in Harlem owned by boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson. From there he connected with a local boxer who provided him a job and that introduced Bundini to the sport and led him to Muhammad Ali.
Ali took a liking to the young man who had not only was a hard worker, but had a wonderful way with words, much like the up and coming heavyweight boxer. It turned out to be a match made in heaven as Bundini was his principle motivator as well as poet. The most well-known of his phrases was “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” but it was far from the only mark that Bundini would leave with Ali. Their relationship, like any other relationship of any type had its ups and downs – Ali would fire and rehire Bundini far more often than George Steinbrenner would with Billy Martin – but they would remain forever linked together.
What makes this book such a fascinating read is not just the story of Bundini, as great as it is, but Snyder’s masterful touch of taking just stories from Bundini’s son and other people in his life and weaving it together into such fantastic prose. This is true for all aspects of Bundini’s life, not just his time in Ali’s corner. There was a special bond between Bundini and Drew III that is brought out in Snyder’s writing. Bundini called his god “Shorty” and would remind Drew III throughout his life about Shorty’s will and that made for some of more memorable parts of the book. Those, as well as Bundini’s love for his first wife Rhoda, even well after their divorce, are portrayed even better than the boxing matches in which Bundini was in Ali’s corner, giving “Champ” the encouragement he would need.
Much more than just a boxing book or a biography, “Bundini” captures the heart and soul of a man who is just as important a part of the legend of Muhammad Ali as is any other person in his life. This book is one that should be read by everyone, not just boxing fans.
I wish to thank Hamlicar Publications for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Drawing off of many interviews with Bundini’s son, Drew III, as well as thorough research and stories from other people, a reader will be drawn into the world of Bundini from his humble beginnings in Sanford, Florida where he ended up being raised by his father when he and his mother separated to Harlem all the way to his poignant death in a hospital after falling at a run-down motel in California where he lived his last years penniless.
In between all that, Snyder paints a terrific picture of a man who was a hustler, servied in the navy as a porter, had a wonderful gift of gab, rebelled against social norms by marrying a white Jewish woman who had as big a rebellious streak as her husband and through his street smarts, worked for one of the many businesses in Harlem owned by boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson. From there he connected with a local boxer who provided him a job and that introduced Bundini to the sport and led him to Muhammad Ali.
Ali took a liking to the young man who had not only was a hard worker, but had a wonderful way with words, much like the up and coming heavyweight boxer. It turned out to be a match made in heaven as Bundini was his principle motivator as well as poet. The most well-known of his phrases was “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” but it was far from the only mark that Bundini would leave with Ali. Their relationship, like any other relationship of any type had its ups and downs – Ali would fire and rehire Bundini far more often than George Steinbrenner would with Billy Martin – but they would remain forever linked together.
What makes this book such a fascinating read is not just the story of Bundini, as great as it is, but Snyder’s masterful touch of taking just stories from Bundini’s son and other people in his life and weaving it together into such fantastic prose. This is true for all aspects of Bundini’s life, not just his time in Ali’s corner. There was a special bond between Bundini and Drew III that is brought out in Snyder’s writing. Bundini called his god “Shorty” and would remind Drew III throughout his life about Shorty’s will and that made for some of more memorable parts of the book. Those, as well as Bundini’s love for his first wife Rhoda, even well after their divorce, are portrayed even better than the boxing matches in which Bundini was in Ali’s corner, giving “Champ” the encouragement he would need.
Much more than just a boxing book or a biography, “Bundini” captures the heart and soul of a man who is just as important a part of the legend of Muhammad Ali as is any other person in his life. This book is one that should be read by everyone, not just boxing fans.
I wish to thank Hamlicar Publications for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
August 14, 2020
My favourite book of the year. I’ve struggled to finish this review because I’m trying to capture the book and not just gush with praise. Bundini: Don’t Believe the Hype didn’t just exceed my expectations, it blew them away, and it deserves to be considered among the very best biographies.
Muhammad Ali is possibly the most written-about sports figure of all time. I’ve already written a post on the best books I’ve read on Ali. Throughout every book, film, documentary on Ali, Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown hovers in the background as a mysterious, often thinly drawn, character whose importance is undeniable but whose contribution, and very essence, appears unknowable. I’ve always been fascinated by Bundini yet unable to picture who he was and sort between differing depictions of a quasi-mystical sage and a drug addled thief.
Bundini is best know for penning the immortal line ‘floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee’. He was a corner man, a hype man, a philosopher, a friend, a confidant, a spiritual guide and a hundred other things for two of the greatest boxers of all time – Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. But none of that captures the unique contribution Bundini made to their careers and indeed the lives of those around him.
I’ve written this paragraph 5 times trying to capture my own take on Bundini but I think it’s best to leave it to George Foreman who the book quotes as saying ‘Bundini was the source of Muhammad Ali’s spirit’. Bundini was no saint and had plenty of flaws but he was a man full of love. He was one of those rare people who have an energy about them, who have charisma and colour and vibrancy. I am very much not that type of person myself but I am very drawn to those who bring a passion, a love and an uncontrollable energy to the world and those around them. That these gifts are often accompanied by demons, addictions and personal flaws makes them all the more compelling.
Snyder has done an incredible job in capturing Bundini. Both his magic and his flaws. The heart of the book is Bundini’s son, Drew ‘Timothy’ Brown, a man whose own life story merits a biography. As Synder sets out in the introduction, this book is a much the story of a father through his son’s eyes as it is an objective biography.
Great biographies need both a compelling subject and the right biographer. Robert Caro’s masterful series of books on Lyndon Johnson would not have reached the same heights if not written by a writer with as a keen a fascination of the workings of power. The years Caro spent writing The Power Broker shaped his future work on LBJ.
Similarly, Snyder is the perfect person to capture Bundini’s life. An incredibly talented writer, the son of a boxing trainer, and a professor of rhetoric and hip-hop, it’s hard to think of a better background for exploring the life of a man who influenced the world’s best boxers with his words and spirit.
As an aside, the book also made me realise that Muhammad Ali’s old training camp has been opened to the public and is less than an hour drive from my in-laws in Pennsylvania. I absolutely cannot wait to visit!
Patrick Green also produced an excellent documentary based on the book available on YouTube.
Muhammad Ali is possibly the most written-about sports figure of all time. I’ve already written a post on the best books I’ve read on Ali. Throughout every book, film, documentary on Ali, Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown hovers in the background as a mysterious, often thinly drawn, character whose importance is undeniable but whose contribution, and very essence, appears unknowable. I’ve always been fascinated by Bundini yet unable to picture who he was and sort between differing depictions of a quasi-mystical sage and a drug addled thief.
Bundini is best know for penning the immortal line ‘floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee’. He was a corner man, a hype man, a philosopher, a friend, a confidant, a spiritual guide and a hundred other things for two of the greatest boxers of all time – Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. But none of that captures the unique contribution Bundini made to their careers and indeed the lives of those around him.
I’ve written this paragraph 5 times trying to capture my own take on Bundini but I think it’s best to leave it to George Foreman who the book quotes as saying ‘Bundini was the source of Muhammad Ali’s spirit’. Bundini was no saint and had plenty of flaws but he was a man full of love. He was one of those rare people who have an energy about them, who have charisma and colour and vibrancy. I am very much not that type of person myself but I am very drawn to those who bring a passion, a love and an uncontrollable energy to the world and those around them. That these gifts are often accompanied by demons, addictions and personal flaws makes them all the more compelling.
Snyder has done an incredible job in capturing Bundini. Both his magic and his flaws. The heart of the book is Bundini’s son, Drew ‘Timothy’ Brown, a man whose own life story merits a biography. As Synder sets out in the introduction, this book is a much the story of a father through his son’s eyes as it is an objective biography.
Great biographies need both a compelling subject and the right biographer. Robert Caro’s masterful series of books on Lyndon Johnson would not have reached the same heights if not written by a writer with as a keen a fascination of the workings of power. The years Caro spent writing The Power Broker shaped his future work on LBJ.
Similarly, Snyder is the perfect person to capture Bundini’s life. An incredibly talented writer, the son of a boxing trainer, and a professor of rhetoric and hip-hop, it’s hard to think of a better background for exploring the life of a man who influenced the world’s best boxers with his words and spirit.
As an aside, the book also made me realise that Muhammad Ali’s old training camp has been opened to the public and is less than an hour drive from my in-laws in Pennsylvania. I absolutely cannot wait to visit!
Patrick Green also produced an excellent documentary based on the book available on YouTube.
September 27, 2024
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I never knew the impact and importance of Bundini had on Muhammad Ali.
I thought of him as simply a mouth piece but he was a great deal more.
Also, he was the inspiration of a son who went on to be successful.
Bundini has not received the recognition he should have.
I thought of him as simply a mouth piece but he was a great deal more.
Also, he was the inspiration of a son who went on to be successful.
Bundini has not received the recognition he should have.
February 9, 2021
I've read countless books on Muhammad Ali so have always known about Bundini Brown, but always with the focus on Ali and mostly in context to his training camps/fights. But this is the first book (that I know of anyway) which focuses on Bundini's whole life and it's very good. Snyder does a good job of painting Bundini as a man, husband and father - faults and all - and not just a caricature of a hype man known mostly for being Muhammad Ali's sidekick.
Most of the interviews and information do come from Bundini's son, Drew Brown III, as well as others who knew him and are still alive including Gene Kilroy, George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Khalilah Camacho-Ali.
The only issue, which is nothing the author could have done about it, was that most of Muhammad Ali's entourage (and Bundini's wife Rhoda) have died and therefore none of those who were around Bundini for months at a time over a number of years were around to be interviewed for the book. And obviously many stories couldn't be told, confirmed or denied.
Most of the interviews and information do come from Bundini's son, Drew Brown III, as well as others who knew him and are still alive including Gene Kilroy, George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Khalilah Camacho-Ali.
The only issue, which is nothing the author could have done about it, was that most of Muhammad Ali's entourage (and Bundini's wife Rhoda) have died and therefore none of those who were around Bundini for months at a time over a number of years were around to be interviewed for the book. And obviously many stories couldn't be told, confirmed or denied.
September 13, 2020
This is one of the best biographies I have ever read. As a huge fan of Boxing & Muhammad Ali, this book reads as a memoir to the golden era of boxing and a very fresh perspective on Muhammad Ali’s legacy. Bundini has always been a popular figure in boxing and his story is properly told by Todd Snyder. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you for telling this untold story of Bundini Brown.
June 27, 2022
Originally a member of Sugar Ray Robinson’s entourage, Drew Bundini Brown is best known for being Muhammad Ali’s “hype man.” He worked Ali’s corner in almost all of his title fights and inspired him poetically. Ali’s most famous line, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” came from Bundini. And while Ali was the most famous athlete (person) on the planet, the subject of numerous profiles and biographies, little is known about the life of Bundini Brown. Fortunately, Todd D. Snyder, an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing at Siena College in Albany, New York, at the suggestion of Public Enemy front man Chuck D, penned a comprehensive biography of Ali’s enigmatic cornerman. The book covers Bundini’s early days in Florida, his years with Sugar Ray Robinson, his conversion to Judaism, his time with Ali, and his death in Los Angeles in 1987 at the age of 59. While many boxing historians saw Bundini as little more than a “leech,” a “cheerleader,” or a “court jester,” Snyder does a brilliant job of showing Bundini the man, the actor, the poet, the motivator, going beyond the corner, beyond the hype.
June 10, 2023
I've been a huge Ali fan since I was a child in the 70s.
I've read many books on him, seen many documentaries.
Bundini Brown, Ali's flamboyant cornerman, is always present, but rarely fleshed out ...until now.
The Writer is a professor who teaches a class on Hip Hop. Some believe Ali was the first American rapper, and that would make Bundini the first Hype Man.
I learned a lot about Bundini in this book.
It was very entertaining.
If you're reading it just for Ali, you may grow impatient at times. Though this book does a great job at reminding us of the complexity of Ali and his beliefs as a Black Muslim.
We also learn a lot about Bundini's son.
There were some mild surprises here for me.
I won't spoil any of them here.
If you're a fan of Ali, this book is a must read.
I've read many books on him, seen many documentaries.
Bundini Brown, Ali's flamboyant cornerman, is always present, but rarely fleshed out ...until now.
The Writer is a professor who teaches a class on Hip Hop. Some believe Ali was the first American rapper, and that would make Bundini the first Hype Man.
I learned a lot about Bundini in this book.
It was very entertaining.
If you're reading it just for Ali, you may grow impatient at times. Though this book does a great job at reminding us of the complexity of Ali and his beliefs as a Black Muslim.
We also learn a lot about Bundini's son.
There were some mild surprises here for me.
I won't spoil any of them here.
If you're a fan of Ali, this book is a must read.
March 17, 2025
A deep dive into the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of Drew Bundini Brown. My only exposure prior to this book was knowing he coined the infamous Ali phrase “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee…” but he was so much more than that. This book paints the picture of his unique relationship with Ali and the immediate entourage surrounding Ali during his most famous years, as well as chronicling the life of Bundini outside the spotlight. It paints such a complete picture of a man who was bigger than words could even capture. Definitely would read this again.
December 14, 2020
A great book about a really interesting person.
December 14, 2020
An excellent book about an interesting person.
January 13, 2021
interesting adds a lot to the biographies of Ali
June 29, 2022
Great book
It was good book bundini was a great man. He was in the corner of Ali that was great Book
It was good book bundini was a great man. He was in the corner of Ali that was great Book
June 18, 2024
Hard to put down, great read. Had never heard of Bundini before but his story is a great one. Not a flawless person but with a lovable and entertaining personality he managed to wangle his way into the top sphere of boxing
March 4, 2023
A brilliant take on the Muhammad Ali story, told through the fascinating life-story of controversial and oft-misunderstood, Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown.
Well researched & written, this leaves no doubt of the influence the subject had on Ali and beyond.
Well researched & written, this leaves no doubt of the influence the subject had on Ali and beyond.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews