INSIDE ICONIC / HOW THE FIGHT GAME HAS EVOLVED
BOXING CULTURE
HOLLY HUMPHREY
How the Fight Game has Evolved
Boxing did not simply emerge in the United States, it instead was imported, with the initial introduction dating back to the late 1700s. Most notably the influx of Irish immigrants in the 1860s and 1870s propelled bare-knuckling fighting to the forefront of the American public. In the absence of legal recognition, boxing was organised informally, mainly finding its home within urban areas, popular in cities such as Boston, New York and New Orleans. These fights surged in popularity throughout the 19th century and by 1867, the Queensbury Rules established in Britain were adopted by America in quick succession. Renowned fighter, John L. Sullivan, straddling both traditions, acted as the last bare-knuckle heavyweight champion in 1982, and became the first heavyweight champion of the gloved era in 1982.
As the sport continued to gain momentum, the Amateur Athletic Union was established in 1888, signalling a shift towards bureaucratic legitimacy. Radio became a powerful catalyst in this transition and by the start of the 1920s, fights were broadcast to millions, with Jack Dempsey, the heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926, becoming one of the first sporting celebrities in America. Boxing seemingly weathered the Great Depression better than many other sports, yet the subsequent era defined by the "Murderers' Row” in the 1940s revealed the sport's racial discrimination. Murderers’ Row refers to a group of Black middleweights, including the likes of Charles Burley, who were systematically denied title shots despite their evident boxing ability. Despite these tensions, international attention harnessed economic prosperity, as America became globally recognised for its central role in professional boxing.
It wasn’t until the 1960s where the sport elevated its global presence through broadcast. Television introduced new audience demographics and experienced the rise of Muhammad Ali. However, come the 1970s, the retirement of Ali and decline of other 70s boxing icons created a vacuum, subsequently filled by notable figures such as Mike Tyson.
Entering the 21st century, boxing’s dominance waned. The rise of Mixed Martial Arts, particularly the UFC, attracted a younger, more digitally connected audience. Meanwhile, boxing became increasingly siloed behind PPV paywalls, making it less accessible. While elite fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao maintained visibility, their long-awaited 2015 bout was a commercial not cultural breakthrough. A new form of boxing emerged, where influencers such as Jake Paul have polarised fans but undoubtedly broadened the sport’s reach, leveraging YouTube and TikTok to engage a new demographic.
Boxing in America has always acted as a theatre of masculinity, race, immigration and class. As new audiences, new platforms and new controversies continue to reshape its form, one truth remains consistent. The ring, in all its iterations, remains a stage upon which American history is fought and felt.
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