Short Fiction · Chapter
The Venomous Viper of the Volga explained
Promoter Luke Lewis and his press-agent Sandy King devise a plan to keep the public interested in heavyweight boxing after the new champion Beau Burton is booed.
What happens
Promoter Luke Lewis and his press-agent Sandy King devise a plan to keep the public interested in heavyweight boxing after the new champion Beau Burton is booed. They decide to stage a series of elimination trials, culminating in a match between the winner and Burton. A Russian immigrant named Ivan Ivanovitch, dubbed the 'Venomous Viper of the Volga,' is brought in as a European sensation. Despite his lack of skill, he is carefully managed by Willie Troy and becomes a crowd favorite. He quickly disposes of Manuel Martinez, and the public goes 'Viper mad.' Lewis arranges for Fitzgerald and Moran to fight, with the winner to face the Viper in July, leading to a planned championship match against Burton.
Themes in this chapter
Celebrity and Artistic Integrity
The chapter satirizes the manufacturing of a boxing celebrity, the Viper, who is a fraud but becomes a sensation due to promotion and public gullibility.
Satire of Media and Business
Luke Lewis's manipulation of the press and public, and the business of boxing, are satirized through the creation of the Viper and the elimination tournament.
Disillusionment and Failure
The public's booing of the new champion and the need to create a fake contender reflect a disillusionment with the sport and its heroes.
Characters to notice
- Alexander
Luke Lewis's press-agent and right-hand man, referred to as little Sandy King.
- Mr. Lester
Promoter Luke Lewis, who is planning the heavyweight elimination tournament.
- Young Burke
One of the heavyweight contenders in the trials, fights Barney Williams.
- Mr. Grant
Willie Troy, the manager of the Viper, who is training him and controlling his exposure.
- Jimmy Ralston
The Viper, Ivan Ivanovitch, the Russian heavyweight sensation.
- Jim Dugan
Barney Williams, one of the heavyweights in the trials, fights Red Burke.
- Fitz
Frankie Fitzgerald, known as Fitchburg's Fighting Fool, a heavyweight contender.
- Mike McCann
Mike Moran, the Malden Murderer, a heavyweight contender.
Key passages
“We got to make different plans. I figured the new champ would be good for one sellout in the Arena this winter and at least one big outdoor show in May or June. But you seen what happened last night. He makes his first public appearance since winning the title, and he gets booed.”
Luke Lewis realizes the new champion is not popular, so he must change his promotional strategy.
Highlights the business reality of boxing promotion.
“If somebody would spring up in Spain or Greece or somewheres—But as long as none of those birds are in sight, we better begin figuring on what we’ve got here.”
Luke wishes for a foreign champion to attract fans, but since none is available, he must work with local fighters.
Shows the promoter's reliance on exotic appeal.
“The Viper emitted a couple of growls which were interpreted as regrets that he could speak no English and expressions of good will to those who had come to meet him.”
The Viper's growls are translated as polite greetings, though he likely said nothing meaningful.
Satirizes the fabrication of the Viper's persona.
“He never seen a fight in his life and he mustn’t see one yet, not till I’ve got him more in hand. What I’m trying to do is make him scareder of me than of fighting itself.”
Troy keeps the Viper away from real fights to control him through fear.
Reveals the manipulation behind the Viper's training.
“The contestants were in dead earnest and went at it like a pair of vicious dogs. There were four spills and much letting of blood before Burke ended it by knocking his opponent into the lap of one of the judges.”
The fight between Burke and Williams was brutal and short, ending with a knockout.
Contrasts the staged nature of the Viper's bouts with real fighting.
