Partially inspired by a recent racially-charged topic over at Ariel’s, I thought I’d transcribe this Scientific American report from 1952:

Professional boxers usually come from the lowest income groups. Two sociologists reasoned that as one ethnic group replaces another the near the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, its young men become dominant in the ring. According to the statistics collected, early in this century about 40 per cent of all professional boxers were Irish. In the 1920s and 1930 Jews and Italians took the lead. And by 1948 nearly half of all boxers were Negroes. Offered little but unskilled work, generally isolated from middle-class culture, slum boys are tempted by dreams of “easy money” and quickly-won esteem, say the sociologists.

Interesting theory, no? What do you think?