The Lovell Brothers, or the Uncertainties of Class, Race and Masculinity in mid-20th Century Argentina?

ENRIQUE GARGUIN; BRENDA ELSEY

Boston

Conferencia; Nuestra América: Justice and Inclusion. LASA conference; 2019

Latin American Studies Asociation

In the 1930s two brothers of Afro-Argentine descent, Santiago and Guillermo Lovell reached the top of world heavyweight boxing. In the notorious 1936 Olympics, Guillermo obtained a silver medal. Yet, unlike Jesse Owens or Jim Thorpe, the Lovell brothers have not been remembered as pioneers of racial or class integration. In their moments of glory, El Gráfico and other sports? media celebrated the pair, making them rare figures of Black excellence. Despite the success of their sons in both the Tokyo Olympics of 1964 and even roles in the movie Rocky, the Lovell family has not been part of the wider popular memory of Argentine sports history. We use their story as a lens to examine the changing politics of class, race, and masculinity in mid-century Argentina.The social history of Black boxers in Argentina illuminates an alternative narrative of immigration to the country. Although the Lovells reached singular success, at the Olympic level at least, they were part of a broader cohort of Black boxers in Argentina. At the professional level, a number of Panamanian, Senegalese, and Haitian immigrants, among others, thrived in the Argentine boxing scene. The frequency and importance of international matches opens avenues for understanding the circuits of these athletes. Through a close reading of interviews and mapping of their travels, we hope to shed light on their experience in Argentina and beyond, as well as understand their significance in shaping ideas of Blackness, masculinity, and sexuality.