Last Updated on October 12, 2021 by
Bare-knuckle boxing is a great combat sport with a set of some exceptional techniques which include throws, punching, arm locks, chokes, and some grappling techniques. Bare-knuckle boxing was modified into the modern era sports boxing with the elimination of dangerous and life-threatening techniques.
Bare-knuckle boxing, otherwise known as fisticuffs, is a popular combat sport that is the original form of boxing involving regulated competition between two fighters with their bare hands. Bare-knuckle fighters compete without any hand padding, hand wraps, or boxing gloves. In 1867, the Marquess of Queensberry rules introduced the use of boxing gloves which cause bare-knuckle to fall out of fashion. If not for the new promotions in the United Kingdom and the United States, the sport wouldn’t have gained its comeback to the mainstream.
Back then, the only thing that differentiates this sport from normal street fighting was the inclusion of rules and regulations which stop fighters from striking a downed opponent. For the record, James Figg was the first champion of bare-knuckle boxing. He won the title in 1719 and remained an undefeated champion until he retired in 1730.
Bareknuckle Boxing Today

Professional bare-knuckle boxing commonly referred to as the Modern Bare-knuckle Combat is held, managed, and created by the World Bare-knuckle Boxing Association, Bare Knuckle Boxing based in the U.K., and the Bare-knuckle Fighting Championship. In 1889, the first regulated bare-knuckle boxing event took place in the United States. The sport was well regulated and it consist of 17 rounds in which both the fighters have to score points or become the winner by a knockout
Top of Form
How To Train For Bare Knuckle Boxing
Strengthen Your Hands
In most combat sports like MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing, it is common for fetters to have boxing fractures. Bare-knuckle fighters are only advised to wrap their hands when engaging in hard sparring. This is mostly because hand wrapping that’s a common thing in boxing seems to make the fists more fragile and shakier. In order to condition your wrists and knuckles, you can start your drills by hitting heavy bags and focus mitts with the MMA gloves. Without any hand wraps and gloves, try to engage in at least a round of bag practice.
Wear Gloves Strategically
Generally, bare-knuckle boxers are not allowed to wear gloves. And that’s more of a reason why you can’t block punches the way you do in regular boxing. Punches thrown at your face will slip through your guard quite easily because the first is a lot smaller without gloves. Normally, bare-knuckle fighting involves boxers getting cut a lot more which leads to more blood and injuries. But to be on the safe side, you can use the regular boxing gloves for hard sparring periods. Furthermore, you can wear MMA gloves for hard sparring periods.
Take Care Of Your Hands
After every workout, you need to apply antibiotic ointment to any scrapes or abrasions on your hands. One way or the other, you must have scraped up your hands on the punching bag. So, doing this will ensure that you avoid infections and it will make the healing process faster. To relieve discomfort and pains that you got from hitting your bare hands on the bag, put your knuckles and wrists on the ice for 20 to 30 minutes after every workout. After you’re done icing the knuckles and wrists, you can then use bandages on any part of your hands that needs it to ensure it does fall off.
FAQs
How Do Boxers Train For Bare Knuckles?
Try to do some shadow boxing and as many reps as possible (AMRAP) of Medicine Ball Ab Smash. Also, try some seven rounds of Bare Knuckle Scrapper Cardio Workouts Treadmill to Pads. Furthermore, you should engage yourself in five rounds, two minutes each of Resistance Band Shadowboxing, and do some Neck Ups for about 200 reps in total. Lastly, do some rope jumping for at least 10 minutes.
How Dangerous Is Bare-knuckle Boxing?
Bare-knuckle boxing is more dangerous than regular boxing where padded gloves are used. With over 12 rounds in the game, fighters get serious facial and bodily injuries and even brain damages. A fighter can be knocked outwit only one shot in bare-knuckle. If you’re not physically and mentally capable, you should never think of bare-knuckle boxing.
Is bare-knuckle Boxing illegal?
No! Not anymore. In the United States, Professional bare-knuckle boxing was illegal under any federal or state laws not until Wyoming became the first to legalize the combat sport on the 28th of March 2018.
Are Boxing Gloves More Dangerous Than Bare Knuckles?
No! Boxing gloves aren’t more dangerous than bare knuckles. Some may say that boxing gloves cause more long-term injury to the face over a bare-knuckle. But that’s not entirely true. A recent study shows that the risk of death from bare-knuckle boxing is at 14,000 deaths per million fighters. However, the risk of death from modern professional boxing is at 76 deaths per million boxers. That means that bare-knuckle boxing is 184 times more deaths per million fighters than modern professional boxing.
Did bare-knuckle Boxers Rub Salt On Their Skin?
Yes! Some bare-knuckle boxers rub salt on their skin, especially the skin around the eyes to harden it. The salt dries out the skin, causing it to thicken scantily.
Is Bare-knuckle Boxing Good For Self-defense?
Yes! A bare-knuckle fighter can stand his ground against any would-be attacker. Though contemporary boxing isn’t quite effective as some other martial arts, Bare-knuckle boxing is still good for self-defense.
Closing Thought
Just like we stated above, bare-knuckle boxing techniques primarily involve striking your opponent with bare hands. Ancient bare-knuckle boxing also involves the use of kicks, throws, and submissions to defeat your opponent. We’ve reached the closing chapter of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good resources in your quest to know bare-knuckle boxing techniques. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks