Steven Frederick

The Last Great Prizefight: Johnson vs. Jeffries, Reno July 4, 1910, a Tex Rickard Promotion Steven Frederick

Publisher Marketing: The Last Great Prizefight chronicles the lives of three men, Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, and Tex Rickard, as they overcome corruption, racism, and despair to produce one of the most significant and intriguing sporting events in history. When it came to this fight, America was simultaneously manic and indignant. Prizefighting was unseemly yet compelling. In a schizophrenic country, the godly part did its best to stop the fight. It nearly succeeded; it is remarkable that this match ever took place. It is also amazing that Tex Rickard became the promoter. And, ironically, if it had not been for Tex Rickard, the fight may have been canceled as no other promoter may have been able to overcome the obstacles put in place to prevent it. The details reveal much about the history of boxing. That is, the history of this fight cannot be told adequately without understanding how boxing arrived at this point. And the present state of boxing cannot be understood without knowing how it used to be. In other words, the context of the fight is as important and as interesting as the fight itself. Written by a former Nevada bookie, the Last Great Prizefight brings to life this fascinating era of American sports. It is unlike most sports books in its perspective; It does not focus narrowly on sports but takes a broader look at American sports culture, making it enjoyable to both sports and non sports fans alike.