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Slava Kozakov was born in the Soviet Union, in Odessa, Ukraine. Slava discovered the love
of reading early in his childhood. He began to write short stories in middle school and had earned
several Young Author Awards before his graduation. In 1976, the 16-year- old Slava fled to the
United States with his grandparents as a refugee. In America, he developed a passion for sports and
began to box and kickbox competitively, which eventually led to him becoming a trainer. In 2008, he
opened a boxing gym in Houston, Texas. Slava never lost his love for writing, and he kept a
journal over the years which closely documented his own and other fighters’ personal struggles and
experiences. This led to the publication of the first book in the series It’s a Man’s, Man’s world,
but…
In his own words, "I’ve been a reader, writer, refugee, boxer, kickboxer, salesman, trainer, gym
owner, a coward and a hero and a writer again—among other things."
Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
It's a Man's, Man's World, But... by Slava Kozakov is a novel that will appeal to sport fans and readers who love stories that involve personal struggle, are character-driven and well-narrated. Kyle Murphy is a kickboxer who is poised for his first professional fight at Caesar's in Atlantic City. While he prepares to encounter fierce fighters in the ring, he also needs to fight his worst battles — within himself. Follow this compelling character in his triumphs and his defeats, and in his unrelenting quest to find the self-acceptance he so badly needs. Can he create his own place in the world? It's for the reader to find out.
This is a great story that explores the psychology and internal tensions of a man who is a professional fighter. I appreciated how the author handles the personal development curve of the protagonist, letting readers understand how the battle moves from the boxing ring to the personal life of the protagonist. The writing is superb and it is loaded with action and emotionally intense scenes that will grip readers and keep them captivated. Slava Kozakov approaches boxing like a professional and the language itself reveals a lot of the fighting culture, taking readers into what happens beyond the boxing ring. The story is focused and the narrative voice is hypnotic. I was engrossed by the exciting streams of consciousness which plunge the reader into the inner world of the protagonist. The novel features great dialogues and vivid descriptions. It's a Man's, Man's World, But... features characters that readers will enjoy watching as they evolve through the story. Great plot, awesome characters, and an exciting read. It’s a page-turner.
