No other place in the world has been so important to boxing, or produced so many champions, as the small area of London's East End. How did this specific part of Britain shape boxing, and what was behind the national and international success of these fighters? In this book, boxing expert and Londoner Jeff Jones tells a unique story, of the development of modern boxing, from unregulated bare-knuckle fights in the docks and taverns, to the codification of boxing's rules, the increasing sophistication of training and technique, the involvement of bookmakers and the underworld, and the development of a lucrative worldwide sport - where men from London's East End still take part as boxers and promoters, 300 years after the sport's beginnings in their local streets.