Unit 9 TEXT I Who Killed Benny Paret?
TEXT I Who Killed Benny Paret? Unit 9
Pre-reading Information I Boxing Sport of fighting with fists, also called pugilism and prizefighting. 2. Early History epicted on the walls of tombs at Beni Hasan in egypt, dating from about 2000 to 1500 B. C, boxing is one of the oldest forms of competition. a part of the ancient Olympic games, the sport was exhausting and brutal. The Greeks fought without regard for weight differentials and without interruption, a match ending only when a fighter lost consciousness or raised his hand in resignation. Boxers wound heavy strips of leather around their hands and wrists. Under Roman rule, these thongs(the caestus) were laced with metal, ensuring an abundance of blood Statues of maimed boxers from late antiquity attest to the carnage. After the demise of the Olympics, boxing survived as a common sport. It persisted at local fairs and religious festivals throughout medie val Europe and was especially popular in the west and north of Engl and, where it was often a combination of wrestling and street fighting. QuUuiJUo 3. The Organization of Boxing n early 18th-century Engl and, boxing, with the aid of royal patronage in the form of betting or offering prizes, became organi zed James Figg, the first British champion(1719-30), opened a School of rms, which attracted numerous young men to instruction in swordplay, cudgeling, and boxing-the"manly arts of self-defense After deli vering a fatal blow out, Jack Broughton drew up (1743)the first set of rules. Though fights still ended only in knockout or resignation, Broughton's rules moderated the sport and served as the basis for the later London Prize-ring rules(1838 )and Queensbury Rules(1867). The latter called for boxing gle o ves. a limited number of 3-min rounds, the forbidding of gouging and wrestling, a count of 10 sec before a floored boxer is disqualified and various other features of modern boxing
Pre-reading Information 1. Boxing Sport of fighting with fists, also called pugilism and prizefighting. 2. Early History Depicted on the walls of tombs at Beni Hasan in Egypt, dating from about 2000 to 1500 B.C., boxing is one of the oldest forms of competition. A part of the ancient Olympic games, the sport was exhausting and brutal. The Greeks fought without regard for weight differentials and without interruption, a match ending only when a fighter lost consciousness or raised his hand in resignation. Boxers wound heavy strips of leather around their hands and wrists. Under Roman rule, these thongs (the caestus) were laced with metal, ensuring an abundance of blood. Statues of maimed boxers from late antiquity attest to the carnage. After the demise of the Olympics, boxing survived as a common sport. It persisted at local fairs and religious festivals throughout medieval Europe and was especially popular in the west and north of England, where it was often a combination of wrestling and street fighting. 3. The Organization of Boxing In early 18th-century England, boxing, with the aid of royal patronage in the form of betting or offering prizes, became organized. James Figg, the first British champion (1719–30), opened a School of Arms, which attracted numerous young men to instruction in swordplay, cudgeling, and boxing—the “manly arts of self-defense.” After delivering a fatal blow in a bout, Jack Broughton drew up (1743) the first set of rules. Though fights still ended only in knockout or resignation, Broughton’s rules moderated the sport and served as the basis for the later London Prize-ring Rules (1838) and Queensbury Rules (1867). The latter called for boxing gloves, a limited number of 3-min rounds, the forbidding of gouging and wrestling, a count of 10 sec before a floored boxer is disqualified, and various other features of modern boxing
4. Boxing in the united states Until late in the 19th cent. American fighters established their ownrules, which were few. Early matches, some of them free-for- alls, feat ured biting and gouging as well as punching. In most instances they were also illegal. In 1888, John L. Sullivan, a bare- knuckle champion and America's first sports celebrity, won a clandestine 75-round match New York legalized boxing in 1896, and other states soon followed suit. Altho ugh the reign(1910-15) of the first African American heavy weight champion, Jack Johnson, disturbed the segregated society of the time, and al though many continued to question boxings social games in 1904, its use for military training in World War I, its emergence as a source of discipline for youth, its regulation by state commissions, and its suggestion of national vitality strengthened its claims to legitimacy and bolstered its popularity through the 1920s and 30s. Heavy weight (over 190 lb/86.3 kg) champions Jack Dempsey(1919-26) and Joe Louis(1937-49) were national heroes, Louis becoming one of the first black athletes to gain wide popularity Since World War Il, boxing has proceeded amid corruption and,at times, chaos. Rising admission prices, restriction of title fights to closed-circuit television, the proliferation of organizations claiming to sanction fights and proclaim champions, financial scandals, ring injuries and deaths, monopolistic practices by promoters, and claims of exploitation of lower-class fighters have threatened its appeal, yet the sport continues to attract huge audiences and investment. Great fighters like muhar elicit admiration and fascination, while controversy surrounds others like the repeatedly imprisoned Mike Tyson. Lennox Lewis is generally regarded as the current world heavyweight champion
4. Boxing in the United States Until late in the 19th cent., American fighters established their own rules, which were few. Early matches, some of them free-foralls, featured biting and gouging as well as punching. In most instances they were also illegal. In 1888, John L. Sullivan, a bareknuckle champion and America’s first sports celebrity, won a clandestine 75-round match. New York legalized boxing in 1896, and other states soon followed suit. Although the reign (1910–15) of the first AfricanAmerican heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson, disturbed the segregated society of the time, and although many continued to question boxing’s social purpose, its inclusion in the Olympic games in 1904, its use for military training in World War I, its emergence as a source of discipline for youth, its regulation by state commissions, and its suggestion of national vitality strengthened its claims to legitimacy and bolstered its popularity through the 1920s and 30s. Heavyweight (over 190 lb/86.3 kg) champions Jack Dempsey (1919–26) and Joe Louis (1937–49) were national heroes, Louis becoming one of the first black athletes to gain wide popularity. Since World War II, boxing has proceeded amid corruption and, at times, chaos. Rising admission prices, restriction of title fights to closed-circuit television, the proliferation of organizations claiming to sanction fights and proclaim champions, financial scandals, ring injuries and deaths, monopolistic practices by promoters, and claims of exploitation of lower-class fighters have threatened its appeal, yet the sport continues to attract huge audiences and investment. Great fighters like Muhammad Ali elicit admiration and fascination, while controversy surrounds others like the repeatedly imprisoned Mike Tyson. Lennox Lewis is generally regarded as the current world heavyweight champion
5. Amateur Boxing Amateur boxing, while not free from debate, has in recent decades taken steps to ensure safety and objective judging. The Golden Gloves national tournament has long been a stepping stone for young fighters, but the Olympics are the most visible forum for amateurs. Olympic boxers wear eight-ounce gloves and padded head gear and fight just three rounds of three min Judges use electronic devices to record the scoring punches that determine the winner
5. Amateur Boxing Amateur boxing, while not free from debate, has in recent decades taken steps to ensure safety and objective judging. The Golden Gloves national tournament has long been a stepping stone for young fighters, but the Olympics are the most visible forum for amateurs. Olympic boxers wear eight-ounce gloves and padded head gear and fight just three rounds of three min. Judges use electronic devices to record the scoring punches that determine the winner
Background Knowled e 2. The Saturday review:(1924-) An American weekly journal, until> 1952 subtitled° of literature.’ still IThe writer Norman Cousins emphasizes book reviews an (1912-*),editor of The saturday literary comment, but also deals Review(1940-), In whic with drama musIC, expresses his humanitarian concern motion pictures, photography, democratic travel. educati science international understanding and Editors have been Canby(1924-36) world unity. His books include The De Voto(1936-8, George Stevens Democratic Chance (1942),Who (1938-40), and Norman Cousins Speaks for Man?(1952), and The 940-) Last Defense in a Nuclear Age (1960) The present article first appeared in the magazine on 5th May, 1962
1.The writer: Norman Cousins (1912-*), editor of The Saturday Review (1940- ), in which he expresses his humanitarian concern with democratic ideals, international understanding and world unity. His books include The Democratic Chance (1942), Who Speaks for Man? (1952), and The Last Defense in a Nuclear Age (1960). 2. The Saturday Review: (1924- ) An American weekly journal, until 1952 subtitled ‘of literature,’ still emphasizes book reviews and literary comment, but also deals with drama, recorded music, motion pictures, photography, travel, education and science. Editors have been Canby (1924-36), De Voto (1936-8, George Stevens (1938-40), and Norman Cousins (1940- ). The present article first appeared in the magazine on 5 th May, 1962
3.The rules of a boxing match(From Text Ill The rules which now govern professional boxing were issued by the british Board of Control in 1929. For champio nships the ring is from 14 to 20 feet square and the gloves weigh 6 ounces. Fifteen ro unds of 3 minutes duration are fought, with a minute interval between each. The bout is won by a blow to the chin, heart, or solar plexus which knocks out the oppo nent for not less than 10 seconds- or a boxer may win on“ points” which are scored for the number of blows or style of fighting. The winner of each ro und is given 5 points, the loser whatever pro portion to this total he has earned points are scored for clean hits with the closed glove of either hand and for skilful defensive work. Whe re two men are otherwise equal, the attacker benefits. Each boxer has a second whose duty it is to loo k after him between rounds, cooling him with a towel, sponging his face, and giving him advice - it is an old boxing saying that a good second is half the battle
3.The rules of a boxing match (From Text III) The rules which now govern professional boxing were issued by the British Board of Control in 1929. For championships the ring is from 14 to 20 feet square and the gloves weigh 6 ounces. Fifteen rounds of 3 minutes’ duration are fought, with a minute interval between each. The bout is won by a blow to the chin, heart, or solar plexus which knocks out the opponent for not less than 10 seconds – or a boxer may win on “points”, which are scored for the number of blows or style of fighting. The winner of each round is given 5 points, the loser whatever proportion to this total he has earned. Points are scored for clean hits with the closed glove of either hand, and for skilful defensive work. Where two men are otherwise equal, the attacker benefits. Each boxer has a second whose duty it is to look after him between rounds, cooling him with a towel, sponging his face, and giving him advice – it is an old boxing saying that a good second is half the battle
4. The Death of Benny Paret he follo Benny Paret by Norman Mailer who watched the welterweight championship fight between Benny Paret and Emile griffith as he sat at ringside the fateful night of March 25, 1962, the night of paret 's last fight Paret was a Cuban, a proud club fighter who had become welterweight champion because of his unusual ability to take a punch. His style of fighting was to take three punches to the head in order to give back two the end of ten rounds he would still be bounc ing his opponent would have a headache. But in the last two years, over the fifteen-round fights, he had started to take some bad maulings This fight had its turns. Griffith won most of the early rounds, but Paret knocked Griffith down in the sixth Griffith had trouble getting up, but made it, came alive and was dominating Paret again before the round er. Then Paret began to wilt. In the middle oft eighth round, after a clubbing punch had turned his back to Griffith, Paret walked three disgusted steps away, showing his hindquarters. For a champion, he took much too long to turn back around It was the first hint of weakness Paret had ever shown, and it must have inspired a particular shame, because he fought the rest of the fight as if he were seeking to demonstrate that he could take more punishment than any man alive. In the twelfth, Griffith caught him. Paret got trapped in a corner. Try ing to duck away, his left arm and his head became tangled on the wrong side of the top rope Griffith was in like a cat ready to rip the life out of a huge boxed rat. He hit him eighteen right hands in a row, an act which took perhaps three or four seconds, Griffith making a pent-up whim
4.The Deathof Benny Paret The following account is entitled The Death of Benny Paret by Norman Mailer who watched the welterweight championship fight between Benny Paret and Emile Griffith as he sat at ringside the fateful night of March 25, 1962, the night of Paret’s last fight. Paret was a Cuban, a proud club fighter who had become welterweight champion because of his unusual ability to take a punch. His style of fighting was to take three punches to the head in order to give back two. At the end of ten rounds, he would still be bouncing, his opponent would have a headache. But in the last two years, over the fifteen-round fights, he had started to take some bad maulings. This fight had its turns. Griffith won most of the early rounds, but Paret knocked Griffith down in the sixth. Griffith had trouble getting up, but made it, came alive and was dominating Paret again before the round was over. Then Paret began to wilt. In the middle of the eighth round, after a clubbing punch had turned his back to Griffith,Paret walked three disgusted steps away, showing his hindquarters. For a champion, he took much too long to turn back around. It was the first hint of weakness Paret had ever shown, and it must have inspired a particular shame, because he fought the rest of the fight as if he were seeking to demonstrate that he could take more punishment than any man alive. In the twelfth, Griffith caught him. Paret got trapped in a corner. Trying to duck away, his left arm and his head became tangled on the wrong side of the top rope. Griffith was in like a cat ready to rip the life out of a huge boxed rat. He hit him eighteen right hands in a row, an act which took perhaps three or four seconds, Griffith making a pent-up whimpering
sound all the while he attacked, the right hand whipping like a piston rod which has broken through the crankcase, or like a baseball bat demolishing a pumpkin I was sitting in the second row of that corner-they were not ten feet away from me, and like everybody else, I was hypnotized. I had never seen one man hit another so hard and so many times Over the referee's face came a look of woe as if some spasm had passed its way through him, and then he leaped on griffith to pull him away. It was the act of a brave man. Griffith was uncontrollable. His trainer leaped into the ring, his manager eopl was off on an orgy, he had left the garden, he was back on a hoodlum's street. If he had been able to break loose from his handlers and the referee, he would have jumped Paret to the foor and whaled on him there And Paret? Paret died on his feet. as he took those ighteen punches something happened to everyone who was in psychic range of the event. Some part of his death reached out to us. One felt it hover in the air. He was still standing in the ropes, trapped as he had been before, he gave some little half-smile of regret, as if he were saying I didnt know I was going to die just yet, and then, his head leaning back but still erect, his death came to breathe about him. He began to pass away. As he passed so his limbs descended beneath him, and he sank slowly to the floor. He went do wn more slowly than any fighter had ever gone down, he went down like a large ship hich turns on end and slides second grave. As he went down, the sound of griffiths punches echoed in the mind like a heavy ax in the distance chopping into a wet log
sound all the while he attacked, the right hand whipping like a piston rod which has broken through the crankcase, or like a baseball bat demolishing a pumpkin. I was sitting in the second row of that corner—they were not ten feet away from me, and like everybody else, I was hypnotized. I had never seen one man hit another so hard and so many times. Over the referee’s face came a look of woe as if some spasm had passed its way through him, and then he leaped on Griffith to pull him away. It was the act of a brave man. Griffith was uncontrollable. His trainer leaped into the ring, his manager, his cut man, there were four people holding Griffith, but he was off on an orgy, he had left the Garden, he was back on a hoodlum’s street. If he had been able to break loose from his handlers and the referee, he would have jumped Paret to the floor and whaled on him there. And Paret? Paret died on his feet. As he took those eighteen punches something happened to everyone who was in psychic range of the event. Some part of his death reached out to us. One felt it hover in the air. He was still standing in the ropes, trapped as he had been before, he gave some little half-smile of regret, as if he were saying, “I didn’t know I was going to die just yet,” and then, his head leaning back but still erect, his death came to breathe about him. He began to pass away. As he passed, so his limbs descended beneath him, and he sank slowly to the floor. He went down more slowly than any fighter had ever gone down, he went down like a large ship which turns on end and slides second by second into its grave. As he went down, the sound of Griffith’s punches echoed in the mind like a heavy ax in the distance chopping into a wet log
Prizefight and terms related 1- prizefight: n also spelt with a hyphen, prize -fight (in former times )a public boxing match for a money prize, in which the two men fought with bare hands AmE a professional boxing match 2. prizefighter: n boxer prizefighting 3.arena: n an enclosed area used for sports, public entertainment 4. bout: n a boxing match 5.canvas: n Canvas is strong, heavy cloth usually made of cotton or linen. It is used for making things such as tents, sails, and bags. Here it is the canvas covered mat, which forms the floor of the ring 6.clean hit: an attack which is given fairly and according to the rules 7.count out: When a referee counts out a boxer who has been knocked down, he counts to ten before the boxer can get up, so that the boxer loses the match. 8.dance: v. move with one's feet or body to dodge the blows of the opponent but seldom attack 9. dodge: v. move suddenly out of the way or out of reach in order to avoid ng 10.feint: n a misleading action or movement especially in boxing intended to confuse or deceive your opponent. Feint is also used as a verb e.g. The two bulls, after a great deal of skillful feinting, withdrew to opposite ends of the field 11.fight: n a boxing match 12. fight manager: n. manager in charge of prizefighters and taking care of the prizefighter's training and other activities
Prizefight and terms related 1.prizefight: n.also spelt with a hyphen, prize-fight (in former times) a public boxing match for a money prize, in which the two men fought with bare hands AmE a professional boxing match 2.prizefighter: n. boxer prizefighting: n. 3.arena: n. an enclosed area used for sports, public entertainment 4.bout: n. a boxing match 5.canvas: n. Canvas is strong, heavy cloth usually made of cotton or linen. It is used for making things such as tents, sails, and bags. Here it is the canvascovered mat, which forms the floor of the ring. 6.clean hit: an attack which is given fairly and according to the rules 7.count out: When a referee counts out a boxer who has been knocked down, he counts to ten before the boxer can get up, so that the boxer loses the match. 8.dance: v. move with one’s feet or body to dodge the blows of the opponent but seldom attack 9.dodge: v. move suddenly out of the way or out of reach in order to avoid being hit 10.feint: n. a misleading action or movement especially in boxing intended to confuse or deceive your opponent.Feint is also used as a verb e.g. The two bulls, after a great deal of skillful feinting, withdrew to opposite ends of the field. 11.fight: n. a boxing match 12.fight manager: n. manager in charge of prizefighters and taking care of the prizefighter’s training and other activities
13.jab: v. strike quickly from a short distance n.a sudden forceful push with something pointed 14.knockout: n. in boxing, wrestling, etc. A knockout is a blow that makes your opponent fall to the ground and unable to stand up before the referee has counted to ten 15.mauler: n. a prizefighter who savagely attacks his opponent to inj ure him 16.mouthpiece: n. The mouthpiece of a prizefighter is a rubber guard held in the mouth by a boxer to pre ve nt chipped teeth or cut lips resulting from hard blows, or a plate or strip of soft waxy substance used by boxers to protect the teeth and gums push aside the opponent's arm with your own arm so that you are not hur u, you l 17- parry: v. To parry a blow from your opponent who is attacking yo 18.prizefight promoter: n. also a boxing promoter, one who helps to organize and finance the boxing match 19.referee: n. a judge in charge of some games ( USAG EReferee is used in connection with basketball, boxing, football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby snooker, squash, and wrestling. Umpir ed in connection with badminton, baseball, cricket, swimming, tennis, and volleyball 20. ring: n. boxing ring, the small square central space closed in with ropes in which people box or wrestle 21. round: n. in boxing, wrestling, any of the periods of fighting in a match separated by short rests. (boxers) second: n a person who helps someone who is fighting in a boxing match 22slugger: n a person who hits very hard 23 weave: 1. to move along or make ones way by turning and changing direction frequently
13.jab: v. strike quickly from a short distance n. a sudden forceful push with something pointed 14.knockout: n. in boxing, wrestling, etc. A knockout is a blow that makes your opponent fall to the ground and unable to stand up before the referee has counted to ten. 15.mauler: n. a prizefighter who savagely attacks his opponent to injure him badly 16.mouthpiece: n. The mouthpiece of a prizefighter is a rubber guard held in the mouth by a boxer to prevent chipped teeth or cut lips resulting from hard blows, or a plate or strip of soft waxy substance used by boxers to protect the teeth and gums. 17.parry: v. To parry a blow from your opponent who is attacking you, you push aside the opponent’s arm with your own arm so that you are not hurt. 18.prizefight promoter: n. also a boxing promoter, one who helps to organize and finance the boxing match 19.referee: n. a judge in charge of some games. (USAGE)Referee is used in connection with basketball, boxing, football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, snooker, squash, and wrestling. Umpire is used in connection with badminton, baseball, cricket,swimming,tennis, and volleyball. 20.ring: n. boxing ring, the small square central space closed in with ropes in which people box or wrestle 21.round: n. in boxing, wrestling, any of the periods of fighting in a match, separated by short rests. (boxer’s) second: n. a person who helps someone who is fighting in a boxing match 22.slugger: n. a person who hits very hard 23.weave: v. to move along or make one’s way by turning and changing direction frequently