Philippines, 24 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Is Bareknuckle Boxing the Next Big Fight Sport?

PhilBoxing.com


It has been nearly 123 years since the last bareknuckle boxing match took place. In 1889 bareknuckle champion John L. Sullivan defeated Jake Kilrain in an epic 75 round marathon fight.

Bareknuckle boxing paved the way for what boxing has evolved into, although nowadays it carries along a false misconception of a barbaric sport.

When people think of bareknuckle fighting, the image of a barroom brawl or a bum fight comes to mind?two untrained combatants throwing hands viciously and carelessly. Safety and skill rarely co-exist in the world of ?street fighting?.

But for this first time since 1889, this Friday will make history as former cruiserweight boxing champion Bobby ?The Celtic Warrior? Gunn will go to battle with MMA fighter Chris Thompson. The bareknuckle boxing match is a sanctioned bout consisting of 10-90 second rounds and will be fought under London Prize Ring Rules.

?Many people hear the term bareknuckle boxing and immediately think of a vicious street fight or back alley brawl,? said Gunn. ?This is a fight between two professionals with referees and doctor?s ringside.?

Gunn went on to add that bareknuckle boxing reduces the risk of injury more than traditional boxing and mixed martial arts.

?In boxing a fighter can take a lot of punishment over the course of the fight, and even MMA fighters can take a rough beating before the fight is called,? said Gunn. ?Since we don?t wear gloves, I pick my shots and use a different approach than I did when I fought with boxing gloves. It?s not about getting in there and wailing on your opponent until he can?t stand; it?s about fighting a strategic match to win.?

Gunn is excited about having the chance to be part of something that can really take off in the world of fight sports.

?The public enjoys watching fights because they want to see two professionals who know what they?re doing stand there and throw hands,? said Gunn. ?I believe that following this first match the sport is going to take off and become huge.?

Bobby ?The Celtic Warrior? Gunn has become a recognizable name in the boxing industry due to his heavy hands, relentless drive and ability to put a show on every time he stepped between the ropes.
Heavyweight world champion Tomasz Adamek had the following to say about Gunn in a blog on his website, ?Our fight began a thread of friendship between us. He, (Gunn) street killer who fought over 100 street fights bare fisted, is looking for his place in between the ropes of the ring. He promised me a rematch for a lost fight. Oh these sparring should be interesting. He boasts that he has yet to be put down on the floorboards by anyone and you can see love for the ring in his eyes?.

?I want to thank all of my team, Dominick Scibetta, Kyle White, Al Ross and Renato Colantoni for always supporting and standing behind me,? said Gunn. ?And also a special shout out to Joe McEwing, who I have had the pleasure of knowing for several years; I believe he is one of the smartest minds in the sports industry I?ve ever met.?

The first bareknuckle boxing match will take place Friday, August 5 in Scottsdale, Arizona. It will be available to watch live online at www.ustream.tv.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • ‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025
  • Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed
    , Wed, 20 Aug 2025
  • Sadam Ali's career highlight: Defeating Terence Crawford to become 2008 U.S. Olympian
    , Wed, 20 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.