BBC PRESENTS, GLOVES ARE OFF: THE RISING OF BARE-KNUCKLE BOXING
In the past few years, bare-knuckle boxing has edged its way back into the spotlight. it's popularity has grown in the entertainment industry so much the sport has become impossible to ignore.
Bare-knuckle boxing originated in England and dates back to 1681. Decades later gloves had been introduced to reduce damage to the hands and later been rebranded as Boxing. However, the introduction of gloves wasn’t just about safety, it was a way to civilise the sport and make it more paletable for the audience.
They protected the fighters hands, faces, and bodies. But they also created space. Time between exchanges. A provided moments of reset to allow the continuation of rounds.
Today, the removal of gloves has largely been driven by Millennial and Gen-Z circuts, pushing back against the idea of gloves providing safety.
Compared to boxing rings, bare-knuckle fights take place in smaller spaces, which means less space to manouver and rest between spars. Knockouts come quicker, and damage to the body is visible sooner. There’s no padding to disguise or reduce the amount of bodily harm caused.
The sport is extremely unfiltered in contrast to its cousin sport, wrestling; Something that worked well in the 80's, now seems too polished, too rehearsed but acceptable for the much younger viewer.
There’s still no clear data proving bare-knuckle boxing is any safer than traditional boxing, especially with most of the damage surfacing until years later.
Today's modern society happily endorse and glamorise the violence associated with bare-knuckle fighting. With supporters protesting Golf as the main sport to cause head and brain injuries. As this has been statistically proven, it complicates how we define 'danger' in sport.
When fighters leave the ring needing urgent care, I can't help raising my question... Which is, at what point does it stop feeling like sport?
Follow Rees's journey irl, as he fights to maintain his title as the World Champion of Bare-Knuckle boxing.
Bare-knuckle boxing is the fastest growing combat sport over the past decade. It appears more bloody, but supporters say it's safer. Ade Ade
Contains some upsetting scenes.
Documentary length 23 minutes
Uploaded to BBC iPlayer, 9 February 2026
Available for 10 months
**Most programmes are available to download on the mobile/tablet app and will have the same availability as it would if you were streaming it.
- BBC
