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20/04/2007
Boxing exhibition packs a punch for minorities
An exhibition entitled Ghetto Warriors - Minority Boxers in Britain, opens at the Jewish Museum, Camden Town on Wednesday May 9.
Featuring ABA chamions such as Amir Khan and Audley Harrison, the exhibition traces a very English sport that has often been popular with ethnic minority groups at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. Boxers of Jewish, African-Caribbean, African, Romany, Traveller, Irish and Asian origins have all, at one time or another entered the British ring. Boxing has not only been a way out of the ghetto, but also a means of gaining acceptance, respect and even, in some cases riches and fame. The exhibition will highlight how, despite encountering prejudice, minority boxers could gain status and recognition, both as prominent representatives of their communities and as part of British society.
The story starts with Daniel Mendoza, the 18th century English Jewish boxing champion who is credited as being the father of modern scientific boxing, and his contemporaries, Tom Molineaux and Bill Richmond, black boxers who escaped slavery and achieved fame in the ring. Such boxers did not only literally fight their way into the heart of British society, they were also role models for the youth of their communities and challenged contemporary stereotypes. The exhibition tells their personal stories and describes the ways in which wealth and fame proved to be a mixed blessing, with some boxers ending their days poverty-ridden or in jail.
During the 20th century, young East Enders like Jack Kid Berg, Ted Kid Lewis and Johnny Brown took the boxing route to success. Boys' Clubs and National Service brought opportunities for those handy with their fists and the area east of Aldgate Pump was a breeding ground for young boxers.
Highlights of the exhibition range from original 18th century prints to contemporary photographs of minority boxers including Lennox Lewis and Amir Khan. Also on show are signed posters, programmes, medals and other boxing paraphernalia. A new film directed by Elliott Tucker, Ghetto Warriors: the Story of East End Jewish Boxing, will also be on view.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a landmark publication Fighting Back? Jewish and Black Boxers in Britain, edited by Michael Berkowitz and Ruti Ungar. The accompanying programme of events will feature films and talks by writers and historians on varied aspects of boxing, sport and race relations. Key personalities speaking at the opening event will include renowned boxing promoter Mickey Duff, boxing journalist Colin Hart, and Irish Traveller Martin Power, who is British Bantamweight Champion.
The Jewish Museum is at 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7NB
Tel. 020 7284 1997
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
Admission: Adults £3.50, Senior Citizens £2.50, Children/Students/Disabled £1.50,
Family ticket £8. Group Visits and Educational Programmes welcome by prior arrangement.
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