Overview

This work brings a fresh perspective to the study 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 author traces the history of prizefighting from clandestine bare-knuckle fights in eighteenth-century London to the vibrant, large-scale productions of modern Las Vegas 'fight nights.' Along the way, he punctures 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.

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9780786436545

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Reviews

recommended --Choice; excellent...outstanding...extremely well researched and referenced --East Side Boxing; outstanding...recommend[ed] --www.chicagoboxing.com; well written --Amatoboxing; a great job...excellent...a must-read --www.dieiscast.com; a pleasure to sit down with a well-written, painstakingly researched boxing book...I have seldom enjoyed a book on boxing as much as I did this one...written in the erudite fashion one would expect from a sociologist and teacher...written with love...most heartily recommend --www.fightwriter.com; a worthy addition...recommended --www.boxingscene.com; Throughout my life I have read several boxing history books. I am always seeking more knowledge of this brutal yet beautiful sport aptly called the 'sweet science.' The newly released boxing history book 'Prizefighting: An American History' is best new book of this genre I have read in years. In fact it is among the best I have ever read. Author Arne K. Lang has done an outstanding job as he goes 'outside the box' in bringing to light the trials and tribulations of boxing's humble beginnings and brings us up to speed as the sport now booms in Las Vegas as a multi-million dollar operation. In reviving the sports past history as well reviewing the recent events of the last decades. 'Prizefighting' is well written and the outstanding effort of the author's research is apparent throughout the book. From the early days in jolly old England to the emergence of boxing as a popular sport in the United States, Lang serves up several slices of boxing's rich heritage to the reader. The author brings to life some of boxing's most influential participants like John L. Sullivan, Corbett, Jack Johnson, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez and more. There are various chapters on the impact of many ethnic groups who have broadened the landscape of the sport. In essence this book is a wonderful walk through spectrum of the sport. I recommend this book to fans young and old. You will not be disappointed. --Jim Amato, www.boxinginlasvegas.com.

""recommended""--Choice; ""excellent...outstanding...extremely well researched and referenced""--East Side Boxing; ""outstanding...recommend[ed]""--www.chicagoboxing.com; ""well written""--Amatoboxing; ""a great job...excellent...a must-read""--www.dieiscast.com; ""a pleasure to sit down with a well-written, painstakingly researched boxing book...I have seldom enjoyed a book on boxing as much as I did this one...written in the erudite fashion one would expect from a sociologist and teacher...written with love...most heartily recommend""--www.fightwriter.com; ""a worthy addition...recommended""--www.boxingscene.com; ""Throughout my life I have read several boxing history books. I am always seeking more knowledge of this brutal yet beautiful sport aptly called the 'sweet science.' The newly released boxing history book 'Prizefighting: An American History' is best new book of this genre I have read in years. In fact it is among the best I have ever read. Author Arne K. Lang has done an outstanding job as he goes 'outside the box' in bringing to light the trials and tribulations of boxing's humble beginnings and brings us up to speed as the sport now booms in Las Vegas as a multi-million dollar operation. In reviving the sports past history as well reviewing the recent events of the last decades. 'Prizefighting' is well written and the outstanding effort of the author's research is apparent throughout the book. From the early days in jolly old England to the emergence of boxing as a popular sport in the United States, Lang serves up several slices of boxing's rich heritage to the reader. The author brings to life some of boxing's most influential participants like John L. Sullivan, Corbett, Jack Johnson, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez and more. There are various chapters on the impact of many ethnic groups who have broadened the landscape of the sport. In essence this book is a wonderful walk through spectrum of the sport. I recommend this book to fans young and old. You will not be disappointed.""--Jim Amato, www.boxinginlasvegas.com.

Author Information

Sociologist Arne K. Lang has taught at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas, the University of Nebraska, and Tuskegee University. He lives and writes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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