Bare Knuckle Boxing

It is readily understood that bare knuckle boxing preceded any form of modern gloved boxing. But due to its relatively limited information and its access in the past, the names of bare knuckle boxing, Jack Broughton, the London Prize Ring Rules, the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, are nothing but incognito.

Bare knuckle boxing is the term given to the antiquated form of boxing without gloves. This is due to latter day’s disposition of the ‘boxing’ term requiring gloves and accompanying paraphernalia including rules Because it is the most pure form of combat, boxing or bare knuckle boxing origins are naturally credited to each civilization, with each having their own form of bare knuckle boxing independently. But in England is where bare knuckle boxing, the London Prize Ring Rules, both precursors to all modern form of amateur and professional boxing have originated.

Bare knuckle boxing was long a spectator sport in England. Money was made, bets were put in place, and losing wagers were collected. And of course, because the purpose was to inflict bodily harm before the opponents does, deaths do occur. Like for instance the highly publicized death of Simon Byrne from a blow by James “Deaf” Burke, and the previous fight of Simon Bryne against Alexander McKay, of whom the latter died of brain hemorrhage.

Even then, bare knuckle boxing was a highly popular sport, given to the attractive brutality of its nature. Because of that, several governments found it hard to ban bare knuckle boxing.

During 1743 bare knuckle boxing saw a face lift with John “Jack” Broughton. Also a prize fighter, Jack Broughton owned an amphitheater where the most influential bare knuckle boxing regularly took place. With that, he set several guidelines applicable only to his place, which was later known as the London Prize Ring Rules. And because of that, which was seen as many the true foundation of modern day boxing, and because of his prowess in the ring, he became the original International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, as a pioneer of the sport.

A century later, bare knuckle boxing entered another face lift, with the 9th Marquess of Queensberry endorsing the regulations. Named as the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, it was the first of rules that implemented the use gloves, among all other improvements. One of the improvements is the time duration of rounds. Another is the 10 second count, as opposed to the 30 second grace. And because the use of gloves made ‘lucky shots’ less likely to happen (as the gloves not only cushions the impact, it also slows down the fist), bare knuckle boxing shifted a greater turn. The art of boxing now became much more of finesse.