It’s done. For the first time in the developed world, professional bare knuckle boxing has been formally approved by a top-level government. The first event will take place on June 1st or 2nd in the State of Wyoming.
As opposed to some promotions around the world that call themselves “bare knuckle,” this will be actual bare knuckle boxing. No coverings of any kind will be allowed on the knuckles. In addition, fighters may have no tape or wraps anywhere on their hands, wrists, or arms. Some wrapping will be allowed at the option of the fighter, but only around the wrists for support, and it must stop at least one inch from the knuckles.
These rules pass the test for the National Police Gazette, which was the last organization to officially sanction American and World bare-knuckle boxing championships. In those days, fighters had no wraps or coverings of any kind on the hands or arms. As a result, BKB bouts could run well over two hours as the risk of injury to the hands, fingers, or wrists of the striker greatly increases with no covering or support. Bouts could become lengthy chess matches of strategy and precision. Today, as a compromise to fans used to the pummeling action of gloved matches, optional wraps for wrist support are allowed and are expected to help strike a balance between strategy and action.
It has been a very long road to approval. For over 100 years, a stigma was attached to BKB that it was less safe and more violent than gloved boxing. But recent medical research has indicated that covering the hand of the striker actually increases the likelihood of brain injury to the person being hit. A covered hand can strike harder and more often, producing far more kinetic energy transfer to the brain than the uncovered hand. And, as has been shown in football research, a helmet might protect from superficial injury, but it does nothing to lessen the jarring movement of the brain inside the skull.
Many have been involved in trying to get BKB legalized, but local promoter Corey Williams has been the main driving force on the ground in the State of Wyoming. He’s been collecting volumes of data from not just medical research, but from hundreds of amateur BKB bouts. The overwhelming evidence finally convinced the Wyoming Combat Sports Commission to accept BKB as an approved professional combat sport.
According to Bryan Pedersen, the Commission’s chairman, pro BKB has officially been legal in Wyoming since March 20th. But any and all officials who will be involved in pro matches must first undergo training and certification by the state. This training will take place the second half of May, making the first feasible weekend for an event June 1st & 2nd. There is only one slot available for the whole weekend, which two promoters are currently vying for. For those saying “Here we go again” because of the numerous aborted BKB “events” that fizzled over the past couple of years, keep in mind June 1st/2nd is not illegal or an attempt to find an Indian reservation that could skirt state law. This time it is state law. We will keep you posted as firm details emerge.
Now that the first state has approved pro BKB, the floodgates will undoubtedly soon open. The Police Gazette World Champion belt, currently held by Bobby Gunn, will be shined up and made available for competition. When the time is right, the most prestigious award in bare knuckle boxing will once again enter the ring.
