Long Before Tyson

The dark & extensive history of sexual violence in boxing

By Nick Stavas

"It's All right to be a rapist or a robber and get a boxing license, as long as you're not political."

-Muhammad Ali, 1970

The sport of boxing originated as one of the first sports widely observed in the United States. It first rose to prominence shortly after World War I and became a nationwide pastime as the decades passed through the 20th century. Boxing has long been known as a glamorous sport, often occupying primetime network television and producing some of the biggest superstars in the history of American athletics.

While the abundance of money and fame in boxing is often viewed as a good thing, the sport itself has a dark past outside of the ring. Sexual violence runs rampant through the history books of boxing and is still an issue today.

Mike Tyson is arguably the most famous boxer of all time and has become a media darling in the sports world since his retirement. However, his disturbing track record of sexual violence, particularly his 1992 conviction in the rape case of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, looms large as a reminder of the sport’s unsettling background.

Tyson’s crime, for which he served only three years in prison, is certainly the most publicly-renowned case of sexual violence amongst boxers. Unfortunately, he is far from the first member of the boxing community to commit such egregious acts.

Upon further research, I discovered that there is a long, perturbing history of rape and sexual abuse tied to the sport of boxing.

These newspaper clippings, which date back to 1943, present a few examples of this. In one of them, Muhammad Ali (then known by his birthname, Cassius Clay), who had outspoken disdain for the Vietnam War, filed a lawsuit against the New York State Athletic Commission for suspending him from boxing in response to his refusal to enlist in the military. Ali stated that the NYSAC granted boxing licenses to over 90 convicted felons, including rapists and murderers.

Arguably as gifted a social activist as a boxer, Ali was quoted saying: “It’s all right to be a rapist or a robber and get a boxing license, as long as you’re not political.”

Ali’s comment serves as a stark summarization about the troubling background of sexual violence behind the scenes of one of America’s most beloved sports.

Sources

Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (1943, Apr 03). Boxer sentenced for rape. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/boxer-sentenced-rape/docview/106653197/se-2?accountid=4485

By, G. E. (1970, Aug 19). CLAY WINS ROUND IN COURT BATTLE: FEDERAL JUDGE REFUSES TO DISMISS SUIT FOR LICENSE. New York Times (1923-Current File)Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/clay-wins-round-court-battle/docview/117861862/se-2?accountid=4485

AUTO CRASH FATAL TO FOSTER, BOXER: OMAHA WELTERWEIGHT, A VICTOR IN UPSET HERE, IS KILLED WITH A GIRL IN MINNESOTA. (1949, Jul 19). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/auto-crash-fatal-foster-boxer/docview/105817107/se-2?accountid=4485

Former boxer held on charge of rape. (1956, Dec 01). The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959) Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/former-boxer-held-on-charge-rape/docview/148742100/se-2?accountid=4485

N.Y. grand jury declines to indict boxer for rape. (1944, Mar 18). The Washington Post (1923-1954) Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/n-y-grand-jury-declines-indict-boxer-rape/docview/151752189/se-2?accountid=4485

ARCHIE MOORE SUED: BREACH OF PROMISE AND RAPE OF GIRL, 12, IS CHARGED. (1956, Nov 29). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/historical-newspapers/archie-moore-sued/docview/113689120/se-2?accountid=4485