Daniel Mendoza was the greatest prize-fighter of his time. His time was the late 18th century and the place England, the cradle of boxing. He was a Jew who was proud of his heritage, and his success brought new prestige and security to the Jews in England during his reign as a popular and outstanding pugilist. 

In this book, the author depicts not only the life of English Jewry, but also gives in authentic detail a round-by-round account of Mendoza's historic battles: with Richard Humphreys, "Gentleman" Jackson, and other noted fighters of the age. In order to report these fights accurately, Mr. Ribalow has studied the yellowed pages of ancient newspapers for contemporary descriptions of the battles, and visited the places where Mendoza lived and fought. 

Because Daniel Mendoza was an educated man and had a good Jewish education, Mr. Ribalow has been able to draw on Mendoza's own memories and to offer Mendoza's own reactions and responses to Jewish holidays, customs and traditions. Mendoza was the protege of the Prince of Wales, later George IV. He also knew the Prince of Wales' father, George III, and the face that he walked with kings and princes helped his people in their search for freedom and civil rights to England.

From the dust jacket