"The Set-Up" is a hard-hitting narrative poem that captures the grit and shadows of the 1920s boxing world. This verse novel tells the visceral story of Pansy Jones, an aging Black boxer attempting a comeback in a sport rife with corruption, racial prejudice, and betrayal. Through its sharp, rhythmic lines and cinematic pacing, the work explores the dark underbelly of the 'sweet science, ' where matches are fixed and dreams are sold for a pittance.