When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport
Bodner, Allen
ISBN 10: 027595353X ISBN 13: 9780275953539
Published by Praeger Publishers, 1997
Used
Hardcover
From
Bay State Book Company, North Smithfield, RI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since January 23, 2023
This specific item is no longer available.
About this Item
Description:
The book is in good condition with all pages and cover intact, including the dust jacket if originally issued. The spine may show light wear. Pages may contain some notes or highlighting, and there might be a "From the library of" label. Boxed set packaging, shrink wrap, or included media like CDs may be missing. Seller Inventory # BSM.11VIY
Synopsis:
This is a splendid oral history of a time between World War I and World War II when Jewish athletes were the dominant ethnic group in professional boxing in the United States. The author draws on his own personal experience in New York City's fight arenas, and incorporates interviews with more than thirty former boxers, trainers, managers, promoters, and boxing judges to report on this overlooked aspect of sports history. Bodner explores the stories of the Jewish boxers both inside and outside the ring, and also examines their lives as they left the ring to pursue their careers which ranged from fire chiefs to boxing judges to hospital presidents.
Boxing was a means many second generation urban immigrants―including Jews―used to get ahead in the early 20th century. The Jewish boxers interviewed reported that they took up fighting to earn money, not to defend their race or negate stereotypes that Jews were weak. These boxers were proud of their heritage and displayed Stars of David on their robes and trunks until religious symbols were banned in the 1940s. During the 1920s nearly one-third of all professional boxers were Jewish, and by 1928, they were the dominant ethnic group in the sport earning 30 World Championship titles between 1910-1940. Bodner's interest in the subject was kindled by his father who was an amateur boxer and professional manager during this period.
About the Author: ALLEN BODNER is an attorney with a remarkable entry into the world of boxing as his father was an amateur boxer during the 1920s and a professional manager during the 1930s and 1940s.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Bibliographic Details
Title: When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport
Publisher: Praeger Publishers
Publication Date: 1997
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: good