Book excerpt: THE REAL ROCKYS: A HISTORY OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF ITALIAN AMERICANS IN BOXING 1900-1955 is a collection of sociological essays and detailed appendices, examining the role and achievements of the Italian American prizefighter. During the most intense inter-ethnic rivalry in boxing Italian Americans captured the greatest proportion of world titles and produced the highest number of championship contenders. Yet the outside world was oblivious to this remarkable success with his Italian identity usually hidden under an appropriated Irish moniker. For the first time these heroes and hard men are acknowledged for the contribution they made to American sports.