Prizefighting - An American History

This work brings a fresh perspective to the history of modern prizefighting, a sport which has evolved over several centuries to become one of mankind's most lasting and valued sporting attractions. With his primary focus outside the ropes, the author shows how organizers, publicity agents, and political allies overcame both legal and moral roadblocks to make fisticuffing a lively commercial enterprise.
The book begins with the clandestine bare-knuckle fights in eighteenth-century London, and ends with the vibrant, large-scale productions of modern Las Vegas "fight nights." Along the way, he explains many of the myths about antiquarian prizefighters, describes the origins of slave fight folklore, and examines the forces that transformed Las Vegas into the world's leading venue for important fights.

About the author

The editor-in-chief of The Sweet Science on-line boxing magazine, Arne K. Lang taught sociology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the University of Nebraska and Tuskegee. A leading authority on the history of boxing and the history of American sports gambling, he lives and writes in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is his fifth book.

Product details

• Authors: Arne K. Lang, Lang Arne K.
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 11.06.2020
• EAN: 9781476683676
• ISBN: 978-1-4766-8367-6
• No. of pages: 274
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 254 mm x 14 mm
• Weight: 494 g
• Illustrations: Raster,schwarz-weiss
• Subjects: Guides > Sport > Martial arts, self-defence; USA, History: specific events & topics, HISTORY / General, SPORTS & RECREATION / Boxing, Boxing, United States of America, USA, History: specific events and topics, boxing misc