Mark Scott

Colleen Aycock

"Joe Gans captured the world lightweight title in 1902, becoming the first black American world title holder in any sport. This biography features original ringside telegraph reports of his most famous and controversial fights, a complete fight history, photographs, early newspaper cartoons depicting boxers, and tributes to the man considered to be among the finest boxers in history"--Provided by publisher.

A Biography of the First African American World Boxing Champion

Joe Gans

Whether opening saloons, raising cattle, or promoting sporting events, George Lewis “Tex” Rickard (1870–1929) possessed a drive to be the best. After an early career as a cowboy and Texas sheriff, Rickard pioneered the largest ranch in South America, built a series of profitable saloons in the Klondike and Nevada gold rushes, and turned boxing into a million-dollar sport. As “the Father of Madison Square Garden,” he promoted over 200 fights, including some of the most notable of the 20th century: the “Longest Fight,” the “Great White Hope,” fight, and the famous “Long Count” fight. Along the way, he rubbed shoulders with some of history’s most renowned figures, including Teddy Roosevelt, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, John Ringling, Jack Dempsey, and Gene Tunney. This detailed biography chronicles Rickard’s colorful life and his critical role in the evolution of boxing from a minor sport to a modern spectacle.

Boxing’s Greatest Promoter

Tex Rickard

"Biographies: from Tom Molineaux, a slave who won freedom and fame in the ring in the early 1800s; to Joe Gans, the first African American world champion; to the flamboyant Jack Johnson (film of his defeat of former champion and "Great White Hope" Jim Jeffries was banned across U.S.); round-by-round coverage of historic fights"--Provided by publisher.

Essays on Fighters of the 1800s to the 1920s

The First Black Boxing Champions

This volume presents fifteen chapters of biography of African American and black champions and challengers of the early prize ring. They range from Tom Molineaux, a slave who won freedom and fame in the ring in the early 1800s; to Joe Gans, the first African American world champion; to the flamboyant Jack Johnson, deemed such a threat to white society that film of his defeat of former champion and “Great White Hope” Jim Jeffries was banned across much of the country. Photographs, period drawings, cartoons, and fight posters enhance the biographies. Round-by-round coverage of select historic fights is included, as is a foreword by Hall-of-Fame boxing announcer Al Bernstein.

Colleen Aycock

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