Pulp Boxing Stories

 One cannot talk about pulp magazines without mentioning the subject of boxing. During the 20s and 30s young and old could be thrilled with tales of the ring in such publications as Fight Stories, Argosy, and The Ring. 

Those who followed the sport knew the names Dempsey, Tunney, and Schmeling, so naturally, there was a market for these stories. 

In Barclay of the Mounted, there is a chapter where Barclay is competing for the 1888 boxing title in the North-West Mounted Police. Here is the opening paragraph of 'Battling' Barclay.

MALONEY’S RIGHT UPPERCUT caught me squarely under the chin and sent me back on my heels. The roar of the crowd—half cheering the other half awestruck—sounded muffled to my ears as if from far away across the prairie. I recovered quickly, shaking my head to clear it. Through bleary eyes, I looked across at my opponent. Maloney grimaced. He obviously thought that last blow should have had me down and out, but it did not. He waded in slowly and carefully. He was a brawler, with little scientific skill in the art of boxing, but that made him no less dangerous in the ring. I jabbed at him with my left to keep him at bay. It had no effect, and Maloney moved in. I read the bloodlust in his eyes. He swung his huge right fist in a deadly sweeping arc at my head. I ducked just beneath it and delivered two strong blows to his side. It felt like hitting ribbed stone. He bellowed in rage and brought his left around. It whistled past my ear. If that blow had landed, it would have been the end of the match. Maloney now had me in the corner and there was nowhere to go. He began to deliver punches, most of which I avoided, but I knew I could not avoid them much longer.

Barclay of the Mounted can be found on Amazon!