Boxing Legacy

Ian Phimister and David Patrick are both members of the International Studies Group at the University of the Free State (South Africa). Ian has written widely on African and world history, while David's research interests focus on media representations of historical phenomena, including mass violence and contemporary politics. He is the author of Reporting Genocide: Media, Mass Violence and Human Rights. Ian and David share an obsessive interest in professional boxing.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionSection I: Profiling the GreatsJoe A Real Champ Has Met ‘Em AllMarciano, the Human Blockbuster, Has Experts Wondering What Style Would Stop Rocky?Mickey Walker: D’Artagnan of the RingBilly Conn, The Collar Ad HeroRay Robinson: The Greatest Champion Since 1922?How Would Clay Have Done Against Stars Of Past? The Man In The Broadway Window, Matchless DempseyWas Greb Really Best Fighter for His Pounds?Section II: Here, There and EverywhereSouth America in PugilismNew York StarsBritish Prestige BoomsThe Fighting IrishMen of Africa!The Italians: Past and Present, Hold Special Niche in Boxing HistoryPhilly’s Fight History Features Greats Galore Japanese Boxing, Born In 1905, Has Enjoyed Spectacular SuccessDer Mox, Once Champion, Still Germany’s No. 1 IdolJewish Fighters Have Achieved Fame Beyond Their Limited NumbersSection III: African American BoxingSepian Sockers SupremeSable Sockers to the ForeBoxing Sets Pace in Fair Play"Dark Hopes" Showed Great Boxers with Pittance PayI. The American Black Man and BoxingII. Johnson, Gans, Walcott and Langford Salient as Negro Stars Embellished Ring AnnalsIII. The Joe Louis EraIV. Television Helped Vastly in Destroying Colour Line; Robinson Reign SpectacularV. Charles, Patterson Too Quiet; Liston Too Involved; Then Came Brash Mr ClayVI. Clay's Rise to Championship Climax of Negro Takeover In Heavyweight ExcitementVII. Negro Achievements Galore in Boxing Have Battered Down Old Racial BarriersSection IV: Brains vs BrawnPuncher Always Has a ChanceStamina Is A Great Ring AssetSecrets of HittingAge vs. ExperienceEvery Fistic Great Has Style NemesisKOs Thrill But The Name Of The Game Is Boxing And Buchanan Proves ItSection V: Fighters and FansClean Living Fighters Scorn Father TimeThe Manager’s RoleThe Art of TrainingFood For ThoughtWhen Is A Boy A Man?One Fight Too Many…Training…Men vs. WomenNot All Fighters End Up BrokeDo Fans Make Brutality? Appendix: Complete listing of Ted Carroll’s published articles for The Ring (1936 – 1972)About the Editors

Ted Carroll was one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Carroll, a Black man, was the cartoonist for The Ring for fifty years, offering commentary on the sport of boxing complete with all of its social implications. He was overlooked for years, not because of the quality of his work, but for the color of his skin. Finally we have a long overdue and proper tribute to this truly great artist.