During the California Gold Rush, amateur and professional boxing almost immediately gained a strong foothold in northern California, as the gold fields and mining camps provided both employment and a venue for these athletes. In these times, many of the world’s best fighters made their way to the canvas squares of the Pacific Coast where San Francisco served as the backdrop for many of the historic championship bouts.
F. Daniel Somrack’s Boxing in San Francisco spotlights the careers of Gentleman Jim Corbett, Joe Choynski, Jack Johnson, Battling Nelson, Stanley Ketchel, Abe Attell and others. Somrack also explores San Francisco’s boxing scene through the years and in all weight classifications.