< Literary Works

Title

The Greatest Champion Who Never Was

Author

Tom Molyneux, a black man born into slavery, wins his freedom with his fists. He then travels to England for two epic bare-knuckle bouts against the world champion, Tom Cribb. In the first contest, he knocked Cribb out, only to lose the fight as the result of various shady maneuvers. Truly he was "the greatest champion who never was."

This is the story of Tom Molyneux, a man born into slavery in the United States, who wins his freedom with his fists and later fights for the world championship in England. This novella offers an intriguing look at the brutal world of bare-knuckle boxing during the early 1800's and a detailed analysis of the dirtiest championship bout of all times.

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