Everything You Need to Know About Bare Knuckle Boxing
Let’s be honest, isn’t it a bit weird to see bare-knuckle boxing rising in modern times? I mean, the last time this type of fighting was popular was way back in the 18th century. Yet, we can see more and more countries making bare knuckle boxing legal. I mean, the reason why we have boxing gloves and rules is that fighting bare-knuckle is dangerous, right?
We are not trying to diminish the rise of this form of fighting, but it’s really weird how we re-engineered the fighting business. And even though it may look brutal, the quality of matches and production is really high. We have to give them that.
In this article, we’re bringing you all you need to know about modern day bare-knuckle boxing and why it is so popular.
Is bare-knuckle boxing legal?
Bare knuckle boxing is legal in some US states like Wisconsin which was the first state to legalize these events in 2018. This form of fighting is also legal in the UK, where to be more precise, bare knuckle boxing was never illegal. Still, these types of events remain illegal in most other countries around the world, but we expect that to change in the near future.
It’s hard to predict how far could this type of boxing go due to how brutal it is. In some way, it reminds us of MMA in the early 90s when people saw cage fighting as the most barbaric thing ever. And yet, MMA has become the fastest rising and evolving sport in the world. Can the same thing happen with bare knuckle boxing? Sure, why not.
Is bare-knuckle boxing safe?
Bare knuckle boxing is a brutal sport where fighters end in hospital after every event. But on the other side, fighters would claim that it is not more dangerous than other combat sports like Muay Thai, Lethwei, or even MMA. Their main argument is that you can’t punch the same way and with the same power with or without the gloves.
Most of the time, fighters don’t throw punches with full power as it’s so easy to break your hand when you are punching without the glove. Instead, they must focus on being technical rather than using sheer power, which leads to less brutal injury. But this stays open for debate.
Bare knuckle fighters claim it is much safer than other fighting sports like MMA or Muay Thai. But bear in mind that no studies have been done yet to support these claims. And let’s hope that the death of Justin Thornton 6 weeks after the BKFC 20 event will raise awarness and force people from athletic commissions to take a close look at all the dangers of this sport.
The biggest problem with fighting without gloves has always been deep cuts, broken hands, and how that affects the brain in the long run. This is why the sport is often seen as too brutal even for the people who follow other sports like MMA. It is, and it always will be brutal to see a fighter landing punches bare-knuckle.
Which are the best bare-knuckle boxing promotions?
Even though bare knuckle boxing remains illegal in most countries, there are a couple of promotions that include these types of matches. In fact, these promotions are emerging really fast in the US and other parts of the world, notably Europe. Here are the most famous ones:
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Founded in 2018 by David Feldman, BKFC is the most famous bare knuckle promotion that is rising really fast. It was the first-ever promotion to hold this type of boxing event in the US since 1989, and they did it in 2018. BKFC is growing really fast mainly because their roster consists of famous boxing and MMA names like:
- Paige Van Zant (UFC star)
- Paulie Malignaggi (former WBA boxing champ)
- Artem Lobov (UFC fighter)
- Jason Knight (UFC fighter)
Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing (UBKB)
UBKB is the most famous bare knuckle promotion in the UK and like BKFC, it is spreading really fast. One of the owners is Shaun Smith whom you may know from The Vice show “UK’s scariest Debt Collector”. Guess he knows a lot about bare knuckle fighting.
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Their roster includes many former boxers and young upcoming talents wanting to make a name in the fighting world. The promotion is famous for putting a lot of emphasis on the safety of the fighters and many TV deals with top networks like:
- Netflix
- Spike TV
- Channel 5
Top Dog Fighting Championship (Top Dog FC)
Top Dog FC is the Russian promotion the one that we really, really like. Unlike some other ones, Top Dog FC does not include a fancy ring, sponsors, and girls that will distract you from what the sport is really all about. No, the events look a lot like the ones two centuries ago with fighters wearing geans and fighting in the pit surrounded by hay. Even though it sounds barbaric and odd, it’s worth checking out.
How much money bare knuckle fighters earn fighting?
The bare knuckle boxing is still a young sport and you can’t expect to get rich despite putting so much on the line. We will have to wait for a couple of more years before we can see fighters earning decent money. But for now, some former boxers and UFC fighters have managed to earn six figures fighting for BKFC.
One of the most famous UFC fighters, Paige Van Zant, shocked the world when she left the UFC to sign with BKFC. According to the sources, she got paid around $400,000 for her BKFC debut against Britain Hard which she lost via decision.
Also, former UFC fighter Artem Lobov once said he earns more money than 95% of the UFC athletes fighting for the BKFC. Although these numbers sound good, BKFC pays them well because they are actually helping the company rise. Other, unknown fighters are still competing for measurable money.
Are there other bare knuckle combat sports besides boxing?
Yes, bare knuckle boxing is not the only sport in which fighters compete without gloves. There are a couple of other ones and the most famous one is”Lethwei”. For the ones who don’t know, Lethwei is a national sport of Myanmar in which fighters compete bare knuckle.
Unlike in boxing, Lethwei fighters can use punches, kicks, knees, and elbows to do damage. As that is not brutal enough, the sport also allows vicious headbutts which can produce huge damage. In spite of being so violent, Lethwei is also rising in all parts of the world.
The most famous Lethwei promotion is the World Lethwei Championship (WLC) founded in 2015. From fighter entrances, dancers to wild fights, the production of WLC events is really good. Their most famous champion is Dave Leduc who claims a lot of credit for putting the sport on the map in the western world.
How bare knuckle boxers train?
Bare knuckle boxers train the same way as regular boxers who fight wearing gloves. This is because it’s very easy to hurt your hand while punching without the gloves, even while hitting a heavy bag. And we don’t have to mention how stupid it would be to spar bare knuckle as there’s no logic behind that at all.
However, fighters need to focus on keeping their hands strong and healthy. They are doing various exercises to condition their hands and increase bone density. At times, they would hit the pads and heavy bag without the gloves to make their knuckles stronger.
Where can you watch bare-knuckle boxing?
There are many ways you can watch bare knuckle boxing events both on TV and using online streaming platforms. The most famous promotions you can watch are BKB in the UK and BKFC in the US and here is how it works.
The best way to watch BKFC events is to subscribe to the BKB TV and watch the matches online. For the cost of $3.99 per month, you also get access to the entire BKBFC library, behind the scenes content, interviews, and much more. Or, you can watch PPV events on FITE TV or DAZN.
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