White Collar Boxing

Fists, fury and the sweet science of white collar boxing.

From elite boarding schools to executive boardrooms, white collar boxing has never been more popular. With its roots in the English aristocracy, the "Sweet Science" is gaining fans among the alpha males (and females) of industry, banking, finance, and law.

Now white collar boxer John Oden traces the history of the sport from organized bouts at English boarding schools in the 19th Century to today's brawls between stockbrokers and bankers. Along the way he details his own transformation from a milquetoast investment banker to "The Pecos Kid," one of the most fearsome white collar boxers in New York.

Boxing legends Gerry Cooney and trainer Emanuel Steward, among others, have enthusiastically embraced white collar boxing. At the intersection of professional and amateur boxing, it has inspired men and women from many different walks of life to participate in the ancient sport.

Each month, bouts are scheduled in the glistening hubs of finance from London to New York—black-tie charity events where some of the world's most powerful businesspeople battle each other into submission. White Collar Boxing is a compelling look at one man's odyssey through this growing phenomenon.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs