A century at ringside: the Boxing Writers Association of America at 100

Boxing Writers Association of American holds its 100th annual awards dinner in New York on 30 April .

The BWAA was founded by Damon Runyan , Paul Gallico , Ed Sullivan , Nat Fleischer , Edward J Neil and Wilbur Wood .

Five of boxing’s eight world champions were there, as were writers from 20 cities.

Tex Rickard created the role of the modern promoter, made boxing respectable in the highest echelons of society.

Don King was larger than boxing; dominated the sweet science (and particularly the heavyweight division) Don King had the genius to turn fights into events of sociological importance.

Mike Jacobs controlled boxing at Madison Square Garden , Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds from the mid-1930s until 1946 .

Bill Cayton managed Mike Tyson , Edwin Rosario and Wilfred Benitez and later (on his own) for Michael Grant and Tommy Morrison .

Jim Lampley was HBO ’s blow-by-blow commentator for 30 years and had everything necessary to be great.

Eddie Futch helped mold countless world champions including Joe Frazier , Riddick Bowe , Michael Spinks , Ken Norton and Alexis Arguello .

The rematch between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling was an event of monumental importance, but it wasn’t a great fight.