5、Mendoza rose to fame swiftly after a boxing match when he was only fourteen years old.

rise to fame = become famous

rise to power = become powerful

6、This attracted the attention of Richard Humphries who was then the most eminent boxer in

England.

attract somebody's attention = attract the attention of somebody

7、Mendoza met Humphries in the ring on a later occasion and he lost for a second time.

he lost for a second time = he lost again

8、He earned enormous sums of money and was paid as much as $100 for a single appearance.新概念英语网上学习

as much as 多达

9、Despite this, he was so extravagant that he was always in debt.

in debt 欠债, 负债

in private 私底下