I Fight for a Living by Louis Moore

I Fight for a Living by Louis Moore

According to Garcia (1), the author Moore explains in his story that the most skilled and famed boxers achieved success in the ring. They faced extreme racism, and it was a widespread attitude that afflicted pugilism and society as a whole. People aimed to shape their destiny for long-term remembrance, but those who could not achieve this became fighters to enable them to earn a living. Job opportunities in the society were severely restricted for the black population more so in the post-Civil War America. This state of affairs was to inhibit them from climbing up the social ladder. Prizefighting was valued and on high demand. To prove their fistic worth inside the boxing ring and earn a reward, the black people had to participate in such opportunities.

The was the issue of coloured championships where the best black people would face other black fighters at different weight classes and endure long queues as the winner among them wait to be challenged for a fight. The white world champions chose who to fight against in the ring. The black fighters had an audience that admired their skills and their chiselled bodies but easily detested them instantly the moment they hit the white man. The upper-class black ones expected the lower black ones to conform to their standards else drop them the moment they do not. On the other hand, the latter expected the former to live a flashy and fancy life to showcase their successes (Garcia, 1).

The interracial fights gathered the most purses for both black and white fighters. This state of affairs was encouraged by white, wealthy men who were in the audience. Their expectations when attending a boxing card was to see a white fighter defeating black one. It satisfied their belief that their race is more superior. In terms of changing the rules in favour of the white men, the rich fight promoters would precede the main events with battle royale, whose outcome would lead to a white fighter being beaten by a black man. It means that several black opponents would fight each other in one ring, and the last man standing would become the winner and get a chance to face the white opponent at the main event. If they win the next match, then they can earn the opportunity of standing side by side with the white fighter (Smith, 1).

The white world champions received large paychecks with lesser competition, and they denied blacks the chance to compete for legitimate titles so that they can assert their dominance. This conditioned situation ensured they remain wealthy at the expense of the black people. It also reduced competition for prizefighting events (Smith, 1). The black people, therefore, were portrayed as being desperate to establish a strong reputation for themselves, which was the grounds where racism, discrimination, and oppression thrived.

Work Cited

Smith, Andre. Review of I Fight for a Living. Sport In American History, 2018.

Garcia, Rafael. I Fight For A Living. Fight City Review, 2019.