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John L. Sullivan had fought and won the last sanctioned bare-knuckle fight in 1889 against Jake Kilrain and from this time on, bare-knuckle boxing would never be the same.
Bare-knuckle boxing continued however fights were no longer sanctioned and it slowly faded away from the public eye. In the early 1900's, boxing had yet to be legalized in many parts of the United States. In 1920 however, New York passed the Walker Law which permitted public prizefighting. Soon other states followed suit and boxing entered its golden age. Gentleman Jim Corbett demonstrated his excellent boxing skills, Jack Johnson and Gene Tunney showcased their defensive prowess, Jack Dempsey displayed an unmatched ferocity and Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano knocked people out. For the first half of the 20th century boxing enjoyed an unparalleled growth spurt. During this era, fighters would travel from city to city, often week-to-week, challenging others and earning whatever money they could. These were the days when fighters truly had to pay their dues to get the opportunity to fight for a title.
Today's Scene
The current bare-knuckle scene hasn't completed disappeared however the average fan doesn't know it exists any longer other than in movies like Fight Club and Snatch. As in the past, those involved in bare-knuckle fights find it difficult to find a suitable venue where a bout can take place without police intervention. Most bouts are fought 'underground' and only observed by a handful of spectators. Recently in the United States, street fighter Kimbo Slice took on Boston police officer and MMA fighter Sean Gannon in unsanctioned bout which left Kimbo unconscious for the first time in his career. Gannon was subsequently reprimanded by the department for engaging in an illegal act however both combatants continue their fighting careers.
Once a year fighters from Thailand and neighboring Burma come together during the three-day Songkran festival for the Muay Kaad Chauk or 'Bound Fist Fighting'. While technically prohibited by the Thai government, these fights have gone on for hundreds of years and it is doubtful they will end anytime soon. In these clashes hands are wrapped with a hemp rope (not bare) and just about anything goes. Unlike in sanctioned boxing, fights are usually not stopped because of small cuts or slight injuries. Most of the fights are out and out brawls with the fighters preferring to stand toe-to-toe instead of using lots of movement.
In Burmese boxing or Leth Wei as its known, hands are also wrapped with a hemp rope or cotton wraps. As in the Muay Kaad Chuak, punches, kicks, elbows, knees, head butts and throws are all allowed. Leth Wei is the norm around the country and gloved bouts are a rarity. These bouts are not for the fan that is faint of heart. Burmese fighters are known as being some of the grittiest and durable fighters in S. E. Asia and for good reason. Rounds are three minutes with a two minute break as in traditional Muay Thai. A fighter can be knocked out three times in a five-round fight before being declared the loser. If there is a knockout, the corner men have one minute to revive the fighter and prepare him to continue. The fighter must then finish the round he was knocked out in. It's not uncommon for a fighter to be knocked out, revitalized and then come back to win the fight. If after five rounds neither fighter knocks his opponent out or renders him incapable of continuing, the fight is declared a draw. Until recently the fifth round would continue until one of the combatants was knocked out for longer than thirty seconds. Bouts could go on for hours and fighters literally fought to their last breath. Needless to say these fighters are a rare and soon to be extinct breed. Even with the internet serving as the central marketplace for footage of bare-knuckle or unsanctioned contests, the days of gloveless boxing seem numbered.
The sweet science is a paradoxical sport and one we as humans relate to on the most primitive level. Some look at boxing as an art form or highly skilled profession practiced by talented and courageous athletes, others view it as a brutish, caveman-like sport in which humans administer physical beatings upon each other. Regardless of how one feels, even in our so-called civilized world the sport of boxing shows little sign of waning. While there are the occasional talks of banning the sport and some countries already having done so, boxing translates into big business and big money and economies prosper because of it. It still offers a way out for the less fortunate while at the same time providing entertainment and excitement for fans around the world. Promoters, trainers, managers, corporations and sponsors all add and detract from the boxing equation, hopefully with the person taking the physical punishment ending up with what they themselves consider to be 'sufficient compensation'. Boxing is a 'hurting business' and it only seems fair that those who are absorbing the blows receive the lion's share. If only someone would tell this to Don King.
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