Before Conan, before Solomon Kane, Robert E. Howard was going toe-to-toe with roughnecks at the local icehouse-trading blows with oilfield bruisers, seasoned pros, and anyone gutsy enough to step in the ring. Around town, folks called him Bob. In the ring, they called him unbeatable.
Fists of Iron - Round 1: The Ultimate Edition is the explosive first volume in a four-part series collecting Howard's boxing fiction, poetry, fragments, and articles. These are not just boxing stories-they are tributes to endurance, raw power, and the blood-and-sweat brotherhood of the ring. Written by a man who trained, fought, and knew the pain and glory of every round, these tales are laced with wit, grit, and a deep respect for the fighting spirit.
This edition includes not only fully restored texts from Howard's original typescripts and carbons-sourced from archives such as the Glenn Lord Collection and the Cross Plains Library-but also rare material such as newspaper articles, unfinished stories, alternate versions, and poetry that captures the atmosphere of smoky gyms and roaring crowds.
Inside you'll find pulp classics like "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux," "Iron Men," and "The Voice of Doom," plus little-seen gems like "Dula Due to be Champion" and "Tunney Can't Win." The volume also includes an insightful introduction by Christopher Gruber and a scholarly essay by Patrice Louinet.
Whether you're a fan of sports fiction, pulp history, or just damn good storytelling, Fists of Iron - Round 1 delivers one knockout after another. Step into the ring with the master.
