Sherlock Holmes at the fights?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was, of course, the author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and many others. What is not as well known is that he was also an avid sportsman. He played cricket at the first-class level and was elected captain of his golf club.

Sir Arthur was also an amateur boxer. His connection with that sport led to his being asked to referee the James Jeffries-Jack Johnson heavyweight fight in Reno, which at the time was dubbed The Fight of the Century. He said, "I was much inclined to accept . . . though my friends pictured me as winding up with a revolver at one ear and a razor at the other." Other obligations prevented him from accepting the invitation, but it was a nice tribute.