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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.
In the late 1890s, when boxing rivaled the popularity of baseball,
George Dixon and Terry McGovern were among its most famous
practitioners. Their paths crossed in 1900 in what is widely
considered the most significant featherweight bout in history. Both
men were fighters who died young under distressing circumstances.
Both were products of a burgeoning industrial society and a cult of
masculinity, at a time when prizefighting's adherents and opponents
were in a constant tug-of-war. Betting on the championship fight
was heavy. This book tells the full story, with a cast of
characters including infamous manager/promoter Tom O'Rourke, World
Welterweight Champion Barbados Joe Walcott, and Tammany Hall bigwig
Timothy "Big Tim" Sullivan, whose invisible hand made New York the
epicenter of boxing in the 1890s.
Horse racing in America dates back to the colonial era when street
races were a common occurrence. The commercialization of horse
racing produced a sport that would briefly surpass all others in
popularity, with annual races such as the Kentucky Derby,
Preakness, and Belmont Stakes growing to rank among America's most
celebrated sporting events. From the very onset, horse racing and
gambling were intertwined. As the popularity of racing and betting
grew, so, too, did the controversies and corruption. Yet, despite
the best efforts of social reformers, bookmakers stubbornly plied
their trade, adapting and evolving as horse racing gave way to team
sports as the backbone of their business. In Sports Betting and
Bookmaking: An American History, Arne K. Lang provides a sweeping
overview of legal and illegal sports and race betting in the United
States, from the first thoroughbred meet at Saratoga in 1863
through the modern day. The cultural war between bookmakers and
their adversaries is a recurring theme, as bookmakers were often
forced into the shadows during times of social reform, only to
bloom anew when the time was ripe. While much of bookmaking's
history takes place in New York, other locales such as Chicago, Las
Vegas, and Atlantic City-not to mention Cyberspace-are also
discussed in this volume. A comprehensive exploration of the
evolution of bookmaking-including the legal developments and
technological advancements that have taken place over the
years-Sports Betting and Bookmaking is a fascinating read. This
informative and engaging book will be of interest to anyone wanting
to learn more about America's long history with gambling on horse
racing and team sports.
During the early years of the 20th century, San Francisco promoters
served up boxing's grandest spectacles, with the most compelling
matches coming in the lightweight division. On February 22, 1910, a
crowd of more than 15,000 braved chilly, rainy conditions to
witness one such match, pitting lightweight champion Oscar
""Battling"" Nelson against Adolphus ""Ad"" Wolgast. Spectators
were rewarded with an epic battle, one that came to stand virtually
unchallenged as the most brutal fight of all time. This volume
recaptures that historic fight while vividly illuminating the
backdrop and the confluence of geographic, historic, and political
forces that made it all possible. In chronicling these colorful
boxers and their vibrant era, this work also reveals the dangers
faced by workman pugilists like Nelson and Wolgast, making their
tale, at its heart, a cautionary one.
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