Set-Up

Set-Up is a hard-edged poem by Joseph Moncure March, written in the early 20th century, that tells the story of an aging African American boxer who learns he has been set up to lose a match against a younger white opponent. Defying the odds, he chooses to fight back rather than take a dive. The poem critiques racial dynamics in sports and society, making it a notable work for its exploration of themes such as integrity and resistance. It was loosely adapted into a film in 1949, but the adaptation altered the protagonist's race, undermining the original narrative's impact.