Boxing in New Mexico 1868-1940

<p> On June 28 1868 a group of men gathered alongside a road 35 miles north of Albuquerque to witness a 165-round 6-hour bare-knuckle brawl between well-known Colorado pugilist Barney Duffy and Jack an unidentified fighter who died of his injuries. Thought to be the first official prizefight in New Mexico this tragic spectacle marked the beginning of the rich and varied history of boxing in the state. Oftentimes an underdog in its battles with the law and public opinion boxing in New Mexico has paralleled the state's struggles and glories through the Wild West statehood the Depression war and economic growth. It is a story set in boomtowns ghost towns and mining camps along railroads and in casinos and populated by cowboys soldiers laborers barrio-bred locals and more. This work chronicles more than 70 years of New Mexico's colorful boxing past representing the most in-depth exploration of prizefighting in one region yet undertaken.</p>