Dave Larzelere was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, and his early childhood coincided with the heyday of pro sports in Philly -- the 1980 Phils, the Dick Vermeil Eagles, the Broad Street Bullies, Smokin Joe and Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dr. J. and Moses Malone (not to mention Chocolate Thunder and World B. Free). If you read closely, you'll note the effect of all of these influences on his writing style, as well as the valuable contributions of Billy Paul, Gamble and Huff, The Delfonics, Meldrick Taylor, Schooly D, and, of course, Rocky.

At one time or another Dave has written professionally about almost every sport there is, and that includes judo and fencing. He worked for NBC at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, was the head writer and sometimes guest on ESPN's Classic Now, and currently writes about the sweet science for both The Sporting News and the popular boxing and apparel site, No Mas. Also, Carmen Basilio once sucker-punched him (an affectionate gesture), and after their now famous interview, Chocolate Thunder intimated that Dave making a trip to Lovetron was not out of the question.