Читать книгу No Win Race. A Story of Belonging, Britishness and Sport онлайн

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His opponent Marvin Hagler was bald, black and expressionless. Brought up in Brockton, Massachusetts, Hagler had earned his title shot the hard way, fighting for little or no money against a series of the division’s toughest contenders, many of them from Philadelphia. He too had fought Antuofermo, in 1979, but failed to win the title after their contest had been declared a draw. Most boxing critics thought Hagler had won the fight. Hagler thought he’d won too. But Antuofermo’s camp had refused to grant a rematch, instead preferring a contest against Minter. The result left Hagler bitter, moody and even more menacing. He even claimed credit for Minter’s title victory stating, ‘Minter is only champion because he gained the benefit of the beating I gave to Antuofermo in Las Vegas.’¹ Hagler had an immovable presence on screen. Though his features were soft, his bald head, sharp cheekbones and steely glare gave him an intimidating look.

At Wembley the fighters bobbed and weaved in their corners as they readied themselves for the national anthems. The crowd heartily booed the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ while their slurred, groaning harmonies accompanied the British anthem. ‘Minter led the singing of the British anthem, which was bellowed out with such intensity by the capacity crowd that it was more a hymn of hate than an expression of pure patriotism,’ recalled Harry Mullan in Boxing News.