The main dictionary portion of this book covers famous matches, countries, organizations, venues, weight classes, terminology, and other assorted topics related to boxing. Biographical entries, however, represent the largest category. Of necessity, sportswriter Grasso was highly selective as to whom he included; however, most of the notable figures in boxing's colorful history will be found here, including trainers and promoters. In keeping with the publisher's 'Historical Dictionary' series format, a chronology, introductory overview, and bibliography are included. Thirteen appendixes supply additional information, including 'Nicknames and Ring Names,' 'Revised London Prize Ring Rules,' and 'Boxing Movies.'. . . .Grasso's handy print volume is valuable for its excellent overview. It should join the most current edition of The Boxing Register by James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, and Boxing: A Worldwide Record of Bouts and Boxers, by Herbert Goldman on the shelves of libraries with history of boxing collections. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice Reviews

Boxing is one of the world’s oldest sports, dating back at least as far the ancient Greeks. Although its popularity has ebbed in recent years, its long history provides fertile ground for a reference source such as this one. Similar to other works in the Historical Dictionary series, this one-volume source provides brief entries on topics throughout the history of the sport. More than half of the entries are for people primarily boxers but also promoters, trainers, and media personnel. Other entries cover boxing terminology, descriptions of weight classes, and details of notable matches. The time period covered by the book ranges primarily from the late nineteenth century through 2012. The lengthy introduction provides a strong overview of the sport, and a chronology highlights key events from throughout its history. Appendixes cover topics such as the various rules of the sport, lists of Olympic and heavyweight champions, and International Boxing Hall of Fame members. The volume contains a substantial bibliography of books on the sport as well as a list of boxing films. This work will provide a good introduction to boxing and serve as a source for biographical information on lesser-known fighters. In addition, the bibliography will lead interested readers to the best writing on the sport.

Booklist

Although many of the basic facts regarding the game of tennis, such as who won major matches, are accessible online, the boxing enthusiast will enjoy simply sitting down and thumbing through pages that reflect a love for the sport. The bulk of the dictionary is the hundreds of cross-referenced, A-Z entries on important boxers, rules, organizations, and technical terminology. John Grasso, a historian of the Olympics and author of the Historical Dictionary of Basketball (see ARBA 2012, entry 798) as well as other titles in this series, writes these in an accessible, conversational style. The entries are accompanied by a historical overview of boxing from its origins in Ancient Greece, a list of acronyms used throughout, a chronology, appendixes (winners/champions of the major events), and a bibliography subdivided by topic. . . .[P]ublic librarians and boxing historians will want to add the Historical Dictionary of Boxing to their collections.

American Reference Books Annual