This weekend will see 18 fighters take to an unusual Bristol venue
Inside Bristol’s Planet Ice(Image: James Beck/BristolLive)
A bare knuckle boxing event is coming to Cribbs Causeway this weekend. A total of 18 fighters will be competing in the BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing) Bristol Brawl on Saturday (September 6).
Described as the ‘most internationally recognised organisation in the growing sport of bare knuckle boxing’, this global event will be making its Bristol debut at Planet Ice’s Ice Arena. It will include the main event of a super middleweight bout between James Connelly and Martin Reffell, as well as a Cruiserweight bout between Daniel Lerwell and Jack Marshman.
Other weight classes and experience levels are a part of the action on the day, with nine competitions in total, featuring both male and female boxers. The event will run from 5-10pm on the day, with tickets for competitors priced between £40-£70 and on the final tickets remaining at time of writing (September 2).
The line-up also includes a father-of-two from Bristol, Dean Patterson, who will be taking on Paul Hilz in a Super Middleweight competition in the three-sided trigon, which is described as the smallest surface area in combat sport. The last time they fought each other, Dean was ruled out with a broken hand.
He said: “I went to Thailand when I was 18 for a holiday, did a couple of days in a Muay Thai gym and enjoyed it so I went back six months later and stayed for four years. I was training and fighting, but I was a bit too young and didn’t take it seriously enough. There’s a party scene there and because of that I never seemed to get any fitter.
“I didn’t put enough into it to get as far as I could. I came back to the UK and fought Muay Thai and K1 and then had a family and didn’t fight for eight and a half years. Bareknuckle boxing is much more intense, much harder than Muay Thai.
“In Muay Thai you land a shot, then wait for your opponent to throw one back. It’s a much slower pace. In bareknuckle boxing, it’s all action from the start. I believe I was getting on top in the first fight [against Essex veteran Hilz], but anything can happen in this sport. One punch can change everything.”
According to the official event description: “BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing debuts in Bristol on September 6, at BKB 45, with an explosive card loaded with title contenders. In the main event, veteran fan favourites James Connelly and Martin Reffell go head-to-head in a super middleweight showdown.
“In a hard-hitting co-main event, knockout artist Dan Lerwell takes on UFC veteran Jack “The Hammer” Marshman. Plus, heavyweight Kamil Sokolowski looks to maintain his number one contender spot when he battles “Big” George Taylor, and the UK gets its first look at “The People’s Champ,” American Isaiah Quinones.”
BKB has been taking the sport to various cities across the US and UK with its upcoming brawls taking place in New York and Leeds, following BKB 45 in Bristol.
What is bare knuckle boxing? What are the rules? And other weird and wonderful facts about the sport
Bare knuckle boxing is a full-contact combat sport that revolves around punching with no form of padding on the hands. Said to have originated in 17th-Century England, it’s seen a resurgence in the 21st Century, with English and American promoters organising tournaments and crowning champions.
Rounds and knockdowns
According to the official BKB website, bare-knuckle fighting bouts don’t extend past a total of six rounds and a total of 18 minutes of fighting with a one minute rest period between rounds. The one-minute rest period does not count as part of the 18 minutes of fighting. Each bout is assigned a sole referee who is the only person allowed to stop the competition.
The official rules go on to say: “A knockdown occurs when any part of a fighter’s body touches the mat other than the sole of their feet following a legal strike or is defencelessly hanging on/over the ropes or back of the cage, preventing the body from falling to the mat.
“The Referee is the only individual to determine if a knockdown occurs versus a slip. If fighters go to the ground from anything other than a knockdown, the fight will be restarted with both fighters standing.”
Scoring
Rules go on to say: “Judges shall evaluate the bout based on effective striking (Priority #1), effective aggressiveness (Priority #2), and control of the fighting area (Priority #3).”
What competitors can and can’t wear
There are strict rules around what competitors can and can’t wear when competing in a bare knuckle boxing competition, including a rather specific one about Petroleum Jelly. Male contestants aren’t allowed to wear any form of clothing on their upper body, while both male and female competitors need to wear appropriate shorts, shoes and a mouthpiece – they can wear surgical tape and soft gauze bandages on their wrists and hands, as long as it is of a certain length and doesn’t extend past the knuckle when a clenched fist is made.
The rules continue: “Male competitors shall also wear the appropriate groin protection. Female participants shall wear attire to prevent the showing of cleavage as much as possible and are approved to wear a short-sleeved (above the elbow) or sleeveless form-fitting rash guard and/or sports bra(s). No loose-fitting tops and/or breast protectors shall be allowed.
“Female competitors will follow the exact requirements for bottom covering as the male competitors, minus the requirement for groin protection. When deemed necessary by the Referee, all competitors shall have their hair secured in a manner that does not interfere with the vision and safety of either contestant. No object can be worn to secure the contestant’s hair, which may cause injury to either contestant. Inspectors shall ensure that the fingernails are clipped at a length so as not to cause injury to the opponent. The wearing of jewellery is strictly prohibited during all contests.”
The Petroleum Jelly rule
The website’s rules go on to say: “Fighters shall not be permitted to have excessive Petroleum Jelly or another similar substance on any part of their body, as determined by the sole discretion of the referee. Petroleum Jelly or another similar substance shall be applied to the face prior to the bout by an approved cut-man or licensed cornerman. The reapplication of petroleum jelly or another similar substance to the face may be allowed between rounds and shall only be applied by an approved cut-man or licensed cornerman. (As approved by the Commission or regulatory body).”
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