A periodized chronicle of British prizefighting that compiles chronological biographies of celebrated pugilists, contemporary newspaper reports of their battles, authenticated portraits, anecdotes, and sketches of patrons. It opens with an introduction linking classical pugilism to later practice, then groups fighters into defined periods, each followed by appendices on minor and light-weight practitioners. The author combines first-hand reporting and archival accounts to trace the ring’s rise, customs, notable matches, and eventual decline, while documenting social context, patronage, and technical developments in the art of boxing.