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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.
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