Boris Aleksandrovich Porfiryev was born in 1919 in the city of Sovetsk, Kirov Region, into a family of employees. He graduated from high school in the city of Vyatka (Kirov), then studied at the history department of Leningrad State University, from where he went to the front and participated in the defense of Leningrad. He began writing at the front. In 1945-1946, a series of front-line stories by B. Porfiryev was published in the magazine Ogonyok, and his biography as a writer begins with them. The book includes the first two parts of the trilogy (“Efim Verzilina’s Benefit Performance”, “Gladiator Circus”), united by a common title. The novel tells about nuggets from the people who gave all their strength to Russian sports, about their difficult destinies at the beginning of the twentieth century. The main characters the novel - the honest and sympathetic fighter Efim Verzilin; the sincere and trusting reporter Koverznev, who is experiencing internal discord; the talented fighter, the good-natured but morally unstable Ivan Tataurov - has to go through many trials before determining his place in life along with the fictional heroes. The novel also features historical figures - Emperor Nicholas II, Minister of War Sukhomlinov, wrestlers Poddubny, Zaikin and others. The action of the novel develops against a broad historical and social background, which gives the story special tension and drama.