Boxing's Greatest Controversies

Book excerpt: A provocative and revealing look at the scandals and corruption behind the Sweet Science’s greatest fights. Controversy is the one constant running throughout modern boxing’s history since its inception in England during the seventeenth century. Boxing’s Greatest Controversies takes an incisive look at some of the highest profile fights in history — from the infamous and racially charged Jack Johnson vs. Tommy Burns fight in 1908 to the shocking Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield fight in 1997 — laying to rest many of the popular rumours surrounding them while also considering the social, cultural, political, and sporting impacts of these fights on the world stage. Did the eras shape the fights or did the fights shape the eras? Boxing history is vibrant and continuous and its controversies never end — they just get passed down to the next generation of fight fans. These prized bouts are among the most enduring and notorious fights boxing has ever produced.