Blood, Brawn, Brains and Broken Noses: Puglism, a Very British Art by Chris Sykes;

Author:Chris Sykes;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mint Associates Ltd
Published: 2022-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

This section of the book has been an historical account of some of the pugilists, influences and events that have occurred during the evolution of pugilism. Regretfully, it has not been possible to tell the tale of all the skilful bareknuckle boxers whose dedication and efforts ensured that the ‘noble art’ was preserved and scientifically enhanced from ancient times to today.

Bare-knuckle boxing is currently enjoying a renaissance with films, documentaries and huge crowd-drawing contests being promoted legally. As in days of yore, bare-knuckle boxing has ‘thrown its hat into the ring’, and ‘rolled with the punches’ thrown at it by ‘the establishment’. Will it continue to go from strength to strength or find itself once again ‘on the ropes’?

The final words in this section of the book will be left to Pierce Egan:

We have long witnessed the good effects of this manly spirit in England; and, we trust, it will never be extinguished. Prejudice does much in favour of our native soil; but, upon a dispassionate review of those countries where Pugilism is unknown, we find, that upon the most trifling misunderstanding, the life of the individual is in danger. In Holland, the long knife decides too frequently; scarcely any person in Italy is without the stiletto; and France and Germany are not particular in using stones, sticks, &c. to gratify revenge; but, in England, the FIST only is used, where malice is not suffered to engender and poison the composition, and induce the inhabitants to the commission of deeds which their souls abhor and shudder at – but an immediate appeal to Boxing – the bystanders make a ring, and where no unfair advantage is suffered to be taken of each other. The fight done, the hand is given in token of peace; resentment vanishes; and the cause generally buried in oblivion. This generous mode of conduct is not owing to any particular rule laid down by education-it is an inherent principle – the impulse of the moment – acted upon by the most ignorant and inferior ranks of the people. Foreigners may sneer at us for our rudeness of customs and barbarity of manners; but, we trust, that Englishmen will ever wish to be admired more for their genuine honesty and rough sincerity than for an assumed and affected politeness.

Egan, P, 1812, pp. 13-14

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