Episodes

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01The Fight2010010620101206 (R4)Professor Anthony King reports on one of the most famous matches in boxing history, the rematch in 1938 at Yankee Stadium in New York, between the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis of the United States and Max Schmeling of Germany. Two years earlier in 1936, in the same stadium , Schmeling , to everyone's astonishment, had knocked out Louis in the 12th round. For Adolf Hitler and his propaganda chief, Josef Goebbels, it was a triumph of white over black. By 1938, the rematch had taken on even greater value, for the Germans, for the Jews, and for black and white Americans. On the night of the fight, millions of people around the world, many with little previous interest in boxing, were glued to their radios. In the U.S. , 64 per cent of all Americans who owned a radio, tuned in. The match lasted less than a round, Schmeling was sensationally knocked out. But after the war, it was Schmeling who prospered. He helped Louis financially and was a pallbearer at the Brown Bomber's funeral.

Professor Anthony King reports on one of the most famous boxing matches ever held.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events

Professor Anthony King reports on one of the most famous matches in boxing history, the rematch in 1938 at Yankee Stadium in New York, between the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis of the United States and Max Schmeling of Germany. Two years earlier in 1936, in the same stadium , Schmeling , to everyone's astonishment, had knocked out Louis in the 12th round. For Adolf Hitler and his propaganda chief, Josef Goebbels, it was a triumph of white over black. By 1938, the rematch had taken on even greater value, for the Germans, for the Jews, and for black and white Americans. On the night of the fight, millions of people around the world, many with little previous interest in boxing, were glued to their radios. In the U.S. , 64 per cent of all Americans who owned a radio, tuned in. The match lasted less than a round, Schmeling was sensationally knocked out. But after the war, it was Schmeling who prospered. He helped Louis financially and was a pallbearer at the Brown Bomber's funeral.

Professor Anthony King reports on one of the most famous boxing matches ever held.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events

02Revolution, The Melbourne Olympics And Water Polo2010011320101207 (R4)Professor Anthony King reports on the brutally suppressed revolution against Soviet rule in Hungary; the Melbourne Olympics of 1956 and the most infamous water polo match in history. For a time in '56 it looked as though the popular uprising in Budapest against Soviet rule might succeed, but it wasn't long before the Soviet tanks rolled back in. But at the same time, the Hungarian team had been able to set out for the Olympics in Melbourne. It wasn't until they reached Darwin that they learned that the uprising had been put down. The water polo team were the reigning Olympic champions and determined to defend the title. In the semi-finals, they were drawn against the Soviet Union. The game turned into a bloodbath, it became known as the 'blood in the water' match, but the Hungarians won and did eventually retain their Olympic title.

Professor Anthony King reports on revolution, the Melbourne Olympics and water polo.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events

Professor Anthony King reports on the brutally suppressed revolution against Soviet rule in Hungary; the Melbourne Olympics of 1956 and the most infamous water polo match in history. For a time in '56 it looked as though the popular uprising in Budapest against Soviet rule might succeed, but it wasn't long before the Soviet tanks rolled back in. But at the same time, the Hungarian team had been able to set out for the Olympics in Melbourne. It wasn't until they reached Darwin that they learned that the uprising had been put down. The water polo team were the reigning Olympic champions and determined to defend the title. In the semi-finals, they were drawn against the Soviet Union. The game turned into a bloodbath, it became known as the 'blood in the water' match, but the Hungarians won and did eventually retain their Olympic title.

Professor Anthony King reports on revolution, the Melbourne Olympics and water polo.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events

03The Football War20100120Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events.

In 1969, Honduras and El Salvador played each other in a series of qualifying matches for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Both were absolutely determined to win, so much so that shortly after the final whistle of the final match, they went to war. It only lasted four days but thousands were killed and thousands more displaced. Was it really all about football?

The war between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969 after their World Cup qualifying matches.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events

03The Football War2010012020101208 (R4)Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events.

In 1969, Honduras and El Salvador played each other in a series of qualifying matches for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Both were absolutely determined to win, so much so that shortly after the final whistle of the final match, they went to war. It only lasted four days but thousands were killed and thousands more displaced. Was it really all about football?

The war between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969 after their World Cup qualifying matches.

Professor Anthony King tells the story of politically-significant sporting events