Boxing Arena Collection

Boxing, early 19th century, (1941). Creator: Henry Thomas Alken
Boxing, early 19th century, (1941). Bare-knuckle fighting. Illustration which originally appeared in " The National Sports of Great Britain" illustrated by Henry Alken. (London, 1821)

Preliminaries, 1916. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Preliminaries, 1916

Counted Out, second stone, 1921. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Counted Out, second stone, 1921

Introducing the Champion, 1916. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Introducing the Champion, 1916

A Knockout, 1921. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
A Knockout, 1921

Introductions, 1921. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Introductions, 1921

Willard in Training Quarters, 1916. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Willard in Training Quarters, 1916

The White Hope, 1921. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
The White Hope, 1921

Counted Out, first stone, 1921. Creator: George Wesley Bellows
Counted Out, first stone, 1921

Boxing at Wonderland, London, c1903 (1903). Wonderland was a prominent East End boxing hall that opened in the 1890s at 100 Whitechapel Road. It staged events until August 1911 when it burnt down

Victor Berliner, boxing promoter and manager, 1938. Berliner and his business partner Manny Lyttlestone staged promotions at Premierland, a famous boxing venue in Whitechapel, between 1924 and 1930

The Ring, boxing venue near Blackfriars Road, London, 1926-1927. The Ring began life as the Surrey Chapel (closed 1881), and from 1910 was a boxing arena

Amateur boxing competition between Germany and Poland, 1936. A print from Olympia 1936, Die Olympischen Spiele 1936, Volume I, Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Hamburg, 1936

Bear Garden, Southwark, London, after its third rebuilding, 1648. By this time plays and prize-fighting had been added to the original entertainment of bear baiting

Athletics, 1869. Artist: George du Maurier
Athletics, 1869. Then, as now, boxing was a dangerous sport and, in this cartoon, Punch offers advice on a means of increasing its safety. From Punch, or the London Charivari, September 4, 1869

The Surrey Chapel, Southwark, London, England, seen here in the 19th century, before being used as The Ring, a boxing arena. From London Pictures, published 1890

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Step into the time machine and travel back to the early 19th century, where boxing arenas were filled with excitement and anticipation. In 1941, Henry Thomas Alken captured the essence of this thrilling sport in his masterpiece. Fast forward to 1916, as George Wesley Bellows takes us ringside for a series of captivating bouts. The preliminaries set the stage for an evening filled with raw athleticism and fierce determination. Bellows' brushstrokes perfectly depict the intensity radiating from each fighter's eyes. In 1921, Bellows once again mesmerizes us with "Counted Out, " showcasing the second stone that seals a boxer's fate. The crowd erupts in cheers or gasps in disbelief as victory or defeat hangs on a delicate balance. "Introducing the Champion" transports us back to 1916 when champions ruled the ring. Their presence commands respect as they enter amidst thunderous applause, ready to defend their title against worthy adversaries. Bellows captures every heart-stopping moment in "A Knockout" from 1921. The impact is felt through his vivid strokes as one fighter falls helplessly while another revels in triumph. It's a testament to both skill and strategy within those four ropes. The year is now 1921, and we witness electrifying introductions before each match unfolds under glaring spotlights. Bellows' masterpiece "Introductions" immortalizes these intense moments where fighters psych themselves up for battle while spectators hold their breaths. George Wesley Bellows also takes us behind-the-scenes in "Willard in Training Quarters. " We catch a glimpse of boxers honing their craft, pushing their bodies beyond limits to achieve peak performance before stepping foot into that sacred square canvas. "The White Hope, " painted by Bellows in 1921, tells a story of hope against all odds—a symbol of resilience that transcends boundaries within this brutal yet beautiful sport.