Boxing(拳击)matcheswereverypopularinEnglandtwohudredyearsago.Inthosedaysboxersfoughtwithbarefists(赤手空拳)forprizemoney.Becauseofthistheywereknownas“prizefighters”.Howeverboxingwascrudefortherewe

题目详情

Boxing (拳击)matches were very popular in England two hudred years ago. In those days boxers fought with bare fists (赤手空拳) for prize money. Because of this they were known as “prizefighters”. However boxing was crude for there were no rules and a prizefighter could be seriously injured or even killed during a match.

One of the most colorful figures in boxing history was Daniel Mendoza who was born in 1764. The use of gloves was not introduced until 1860 when the marquis (侯爵) of Queensberry drew up the first set of rules. He brought science to the game. Even to this day Mendoza enjoyed great popularity. He was loved by rich and poor alike.

Mendoza rose to fame quickly after a boxing match when he was only fourteen years old. This attracted the attention of Richard Humphries who was the most famous boxer in England. He offered to train Mendoza and his young pupil was quick to learn. In fact Mendoza soon became so successful that Humphries turned against him. The two men quarreled bitterly and it was clear that the argument could only be settled by a flight. A match was held at Stilton where both men fought an hour. The public bet a great deal of money on Mendoza but he was defeated. Mendoza met Humphries in the ring on a later occasion and he lost for a second time. It was not until his third match in 1790 that he finally beat Humphries and became Champion of England. Meanwhile he founded a highly successful academy and even Lord Byron became one of his pupils. He earned large sums of money and was paid as much as ￡100 for a single appearance. Despite this he was so extravagant that he was always in debt. After he was defeated by a boxer called Gentleman Jackson he was quickly forgotten. He was sent to prison for failing to pay his debts and died in poverty in 1836.

52．What's the meaning of the underlined word “extravagant” in the last paragraph?

A．poor B．generous

C．wasteful D．helpless

53．Why did Richard Humphries offer to train Mendoza?

A．Because young Mendoza showed his unusual gift for the game.

B．Because the match Mendoza had attended led to his early fame.

C．Because Humphries wanted to make himself a superior boxer to Mendoza.

D．Because Humphries wanted to train Mendoza as his assistant.

54．Which of the following is Not true?

A．200 years ago boxers were more likely to get seriously injured.

B．Mendoza has never been remembered since he was beaten.

C．Mendoza earned a lot of money but his money ran out quickly.