Norman Mailer: 1/31/1923 to 11/10/2007
By
Stephen S. Johnson
Photo: Academy of Achievement
November 19, 2007 (InsideBoxing.com) One of the most controversial literary figures of our time
passed away.
In the comforts of his home in Provincetown, Massachusetts surrounded by a few
friends and family, 84 year old Norman
Mailer quietly left this earth.
Having graduated from Harvard University in 1943 with a degree in aeronautical
engineering, Mailer was not only articulate but a well educated, learned and
intellectual man.
At the age of 25, Mailer made his literary debut with the novel “The Naked and
the Dead” which also was his celebrity debut.
The 1969 non-fiction book “The Armies of the Night” and the 1980 novel “The
Executioner’s Song” both garnered Mailer Pulitzer Prize recognition.
Norman Mailer was a vocal and ardent protestor of the Viet Nam war, having been
arrested during one protest march for crossing police lines.
He argued publicly with both literary competitors and prominent feminist
supporters. He never shied away from confrontation and thus most people either
loved him or hated him.
A fixture at championship fights beginning in the early 60’s, Mailer became good
friends with such fighters as Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Emile Griffith,
Rocky Marciano, Chuck Wepner, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, to
name a few.
Norman Mailer became a constant in boxing as he seemingly carried the trait of
most boxers. He could be gentle, courteous and kind one minute then vile, mean
and dangerous the next.
One wife, Adele Morales (who bore 2 children) was stabbed by Mailer at a party
in 1960. While directing one of his “underground” features in the early 60’s,
Mailer and actor Rip Torn got into such a vicious argument that Torn attacked
Mailer with a hammer.
Having been married 6 times with 9 children and 10 grandchildren, Mailer once
was quoted as saying that if pornographic movies had been as available then as
now, he would’ve probably had better success in his personal life.
The world of boxing has a history that goes far beyond race, ethnicity, social
status, wealth, politics or anything else far beyond the scope of what is
totally irrelevant in the grand scheme of things anyway.
The culture of prize fighting has no parameters and seemingly provides
entertainment for both the crude, rugged blue collar worker as well as the
refined, polished Wall Street stuffed shirt.
I write this with the hope that all boxing enthusiasts take the time to remember
the Norman Mailers’ of the world. People who fought (and continue to fight)
their own personal battles and found some type of connection with the sport of
boxing.
If the sport of boxing is to survive then, it is the literary world that
controls the destiny of the sport.
Men and women journalists and writers who understand that feeling of throwing
your support behind one of two fighters that, for whatever reason, gain your
attention and, they in turn, can translate the attraction of this one-on-one
battle into words all can relate to and understand…This is where the destiny of
boxing lies.
Stephen S. Johnson
President
INSIDEBOXING.com
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