{"product_id":"fight-to-the-finish-the-battle-of-the-barge-gentleman-jim-corbett-joe-choynski-and-the-fight-that-launched-boxings-modern-era-9781681791449","title":"Fight To The Finish: The Battle of the Barge: \"Gentleman\" Jim Corbett, Joe Choynski, and the Fight that Launched Boxing's Modern Era","description":"\u003cp\u003eJames J. Corbett and Joe Choynski were destined to spill each other's blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning, the boxing legends were simply two lads scratching and clawing to find their way in the world. They grew up a mile apart on San Francisco's mean streets during the 1880s, ran in rival neighborhood gangs, and earned tough reputations as teenagers for their fistic prowess.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorbett loved to play the role of the dandy, working as a bank teller and always dressing to the height of fashion. His gentlemanly appearance often deceived the brawlers he boxed in the gritty Barbary Coast saloons. From the start, he displayed a natural elusiveness and speed that would eventually revolutionize boxing and win him the World Heavyweight Championship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYet Corbett's road to glory almost ended prematurely due to a feud with Choynski, who proved his equal in the ring. Choynski developed a brawny physique in those early days as a candy puller and blacksmith before entering the ring with raw power and energy that electrified crowds. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoon, San Francisco wasn't big enough for the two-up-and-coming pugilists. Locals clamored for an illegal \"fight to the finish\" to determine who was the city's best boxer. A parade of colorful socialites, gamblers, newsmen, and sporting hacks entered the scene as they tried to secure the match as they tried to outwit law enforcement. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlong the way, tensions swirled around the hype from outside forces who saw the Irish Corbett or Jewish Choynski as representatives of their ethnic pride. Club bragging rights also played a part in the drama. For the boxers, however, the fight was simply a matter of pride. Losing was not an option.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat ensued would captivate boxing fans for generations to come. The Corbett-Choynski feud resulted in arguably the most savagely contested fight in the annals of boxing history -- an epic, twenty-seven round brawl under the blistering California sun on a barge anchored near the sleepy port town of Benecia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is their legend . . . \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Eakin Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51346383372562,"sku":"9781681791449","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1469943c-5b74-4cc7-b61b-f4109e0b1c1c.jpg?v=1749042848","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/fight-to-the-finish-the-battle-of-the-barge-gentleman-jim-corbett-joe-choynski-and-the-fight-that-launched-boxings-modern-era-9781681791449","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}