Description

Step into the gritty world of 19th‑century British boxing through a richly illustrated chronicle that brings the sport’s most celebrated fighters to life. Drawing on contemporary newspaper accounts, authentic portraits and personal anecdotes, the volume follows the rise of early champions such as the legendary Bendigo and his fierce rivals, detailing their memorable bouts inside the roped ring. The narrative spans from the first great showdowns of the 1830s to the climactic championship clash of 1863, offering a panoramic view of how the sport evolved amid a rapidly changing society.

The author balances meticulous research with a storyteller’s flair, presenting each pugilist’s career alongside the colorful patrons and backers of the prize ring. While the focus remains on the heavyweight titans, the work hints at the vibrant under‑card of lighter‑weight contests that shaped the era’s “decline and fall.” Listeners will hear the roar of the crowds, the clash of gloves, and the personal convictions that drove these men—from factory floors to the pulpit—making the history as vivid as a live bout.

Details

Full title

Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 3 (of 3) Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863 Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

Language

Duration

~32 hours (1867K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Carol Brown, deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2020-12-22

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

Source

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64111