Bare-knuckle boxer John L. Sullivan |
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| Also known as | Fisticuffs, Prizefighting |
|---|---|
| Focus | Striking |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Parenthood | Ancient Greek boxing, Street fighting |
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle, prizefighting, or fisticuffs) is the original form of boxing, closely related to ancient combat sports. It involves two individuals fighting without any boxing gloves or other form of padding on their hands. The difference between a streetfight and a bare-knuckle boxing match is an accepted set of rules, such as not striking a downed opponent.
The first bare-knuckle champion of England was James Figg, who claimed the title in 1719 and held it until his retirement in 1730.[1] Other noted champions were Jack Broughton, Daniel Mendoza, Jem Belcher, Hen Pearce, John Gully, Tom Cribb, Tom Spring, Jem Ward, James Burke, William 'Bendigo' Thompson, Ben Caunt, Tom Sayers and Jem Mace.[1]
The record for the longest bareknuckle fight is listed as 6 hours and 15 minutes for a match between James Kelly and Jonathan Smith, fought near Fiery Creek, Victoria, Australia, on December 3, 1855, when Smith gave in after 17 rounds. [2]
The bare-knuckle fighter Jem Mace is listed as having the longest professional career of any fighter in history.[3] He fought for more than 35 years into his 60s,[4] and recorded his last exhibition bout in 1909 at the age of 79.
On 5 August 2011, the first sanctioned bout in the United States since 1889 took place at Fort McDowell Casino in Arizona between Rich Stewart of New Castle, Delaware and Bobby Gunn, with Gunn emerging as the victor.[5] The last sanctioned fight in 1889 was between John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, with Sullivan emerging as the victor.[5]
William “Boss” Tweed was so outlandishly a crooked politician,and the original underground bare-knuckle boxing promoter in New York City. What he did in elected office in New York City was almost too devilish to believe. He stole so much cash from the New York City coffers, by 1870, Tweed had become the third largest land owner in the entire city. A big portion of the money Tweed made was through these underground bare-knuckle boxing matches.
It was well known Tweed was an ex fighter himself and was close friends with the great John L.Sullivan, whom he promoted on a few of his underground boxing cards as a special feature to the event.
Tweed would later be imprisoned for corruption and die in jail.
Like Boss Tweed, there have been many American underground bare-knuckle boxing promoters through history. Today, it is rumored that high profile New York mob lawyer, George "The Greek" Kokkalenios is the most successful underground bare-knuckle boxing promoter in America since Tweed. He promotes such fighters as bare-knuckle heavyweight champion Bobby Gun as well as Rex Parker and Russian star Sante Kosovov. Kokkalenios has represented high profile people such as Irish gangster and bare-knuckle fighter James Quin of the movie "Knuckle". He has had rival show downs with the Russian mob and caused a stir with the Russian bare-knuckle boxing scene after he signed Kosovov. Kokkalenios still practices law in New York. It is also rumored that he helped the defense team that put Russian mob boss "Don" Semion Mogilevich behind bars.
"Irish Stand Down" is a term for a type of traditional bare knuckle fighting where the aspect of maneuvering around the ring is removed, leaving only the less nuanced aspects of punching and "taking" punches. This form of combat was popular in Irish American ghettos in the United States in the late 19th century but was eclipsed in the Irish American community first by bare knuckle boxing and then later by regulation boxing.