Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 1 (of 3) / Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

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.