Cambridge Companion to Boxing

While humans have used their hands to engage in combat since thedawn of man, boxing originated in Ancient Greece as an Olympicevent. It is one of the most popular, controversial andmisunderstood sports in the world. For its advocates, it is aheroic expression of unfettered individualism. For its critics, itis a depraved and ruthless physical and commercial exploitation ofmostly poor young men. This Companion offers engaging andinformative essays about the social impact and historicalimportance of the sport of boxing. It includes a comprehensivechronology of the sport, listing all the important events andpersonalities. Essays examine topics such as women in boxing,boxing and the rise of television, boxing in Africa, boxing andliterature, and boxing and Hollywood films. A unique book forscholars and fans alike, this Companion explores the sport from itsinception in Ancient Greece to the death of its most celebratedfigure, Muhammad Ali.