They ruled the ring with iron fists and carved their names in boxing history. Here are their stories, told in words and pictures that bring you inside the world of a heavyweight boxing champion.

This fascinating illustrated retrospective explores the gritty inside stories of the boxers and brawlers who earned the title of Heavyweight Boxing World Champion. In perhaps the most beautiful book ever produced on the sport, more than 200 color and black-and-white photographs reveal the stunning brutality and unexpected grace of heavyweight boxing. The sport's evolution is traced from 1866 through today, including such legendary warriors as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, and Lennox Lewis, as well as lesser known champions like Bob Fitzsimmons, Tommy Burns, and Jack Sharkey. Detailed biographies and complete career statistics are provided for each champion, along with an amazing look at what it's like to be inside the eye of the storm at a world championship fight.