Bare-knuckle boxing
Subclass of boxing
赤拳格鬥 · ベアナックル・ボクシング
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport in which participants box without any form of padding on the hands. The sport, as it is known today, originated in 17th-century England and, although similar, it differs from street fighting as it follows an accepted set of rules.
The modern sport developed from English prizefighting in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the London Prize Ring Rules providing the main framework for much of the 19th century. Professional boxing largely shifted from bare-knuckle contests to gloved boxing after the adoption of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. The last major world heavyweight championship held under bare-knuckle boxing rules happened in 1889 and was held by John L. Sullivan. The American National Police Gazette magazine was recognized as sanctioning the world championship titles.
Since the 2010s, bare-knuckle boxing has undergone a revival through regulated promotions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries.
Notable Bare-knuckle boxing athletes and practitioners
- Reza Goodary Iran
- Billy Edwards United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Gadzhi Navruzov Russia
- Kai Stewart United States
- Keith Richardson United States
- Lorenzo Hunt United States
- Britain Hart United States
- Arnold Adams United States
- Mick Terrill United Kingdom
- David Mundell United States
- Francesco Ricchi Italy
- Jarod Grant United States
- Fani Peloumpi Greece
- Jessica Borga United States
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q1424950 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.