Sport facts

Because it is such a brutal and dangerous occupation, professional boxing attracts those men who come from the most deprived social groups. Today, for example, the majority of fighters are either African-Americans or Hispanics. In the earlier part of this century, many of them were Irish and Jewish. “The Little Hebrew,” Abe Attell, is a [...]

It isn’t entirely clear why Hollywood thought it worthwhile to make a movie, “Raging Bull,” about Jake LaMotta’s life. But one reason could be his courage and tenacity. For example, he fought Ray Robinson six times. Robinson, of course, is generally regarded as one of modern boxing’s greatest champions. As expected, LaMotta lost to him [...]

Boxers usually compete in classes, or divisions, based on weight. To fight in a particular class, a boxer may weigh no more than the maximum limit for that class. But he must weigh more than the maximum of the next lighter class. Amateur boxers may not fight outside their weight division, but professional boxers of [...]