About this item
For much of the twentieth century, boxing was one of America's most popular sports, and the heavyweight champions were figures known to all. Their exploits were reported regularly in the newspapers - often outside the sports pages - and their fame and wealth dwarfed those of other athletes. Long after their heyday, these icons continue to be synonymous with the "sweet science."In The Boxing Kings: When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring, Paul Beston profiles these larger-than-life men who held a central place in American culture. Among the figures covered are John L. Sullivan, who made the heavyweight championship a commercial property; Jack Johnson, who became the first black man to claim the title; Jack Dempsey, a sporting symbol of the Roaring Twenties; Joe Louis, whose contributions to racial tolerance and social progress transcended even his greatness in the ring; Rocky Marciano, who became an embodiment of the American Dream; Muhammad Ali, who took on the U.
About the Author
Paul Beston, author of 'The Boxing Kings: When American Heavyweights Ruled the Ring,' is the managing editor of City Journal, the quarterly urban-policy magazine published by The Manhattan Institute. His essays, articles and book reviews have appeared in City Journal, The Wall Street Journal, PopMatters, The American Spectator, The American Conservative, Real Clear Sports, The Millions, The Christian Science Monitor, and others. His piece on Warren Zevon is featured in the book, Da Capo Best Music Writing 2003.
