Bare-knuckle is all the rage

Fears are growing over the increasing popularity of illegal fighting contests, write Yvonne Ridley and Sophie Goodchild

HIGH COURT judges and senior police officers are spending hundreds of pounds at illegal bare-knuckle boxing contests, which are rapidly becoming a favoured pastime for thousands of affluent professionals.

Many of the bouts are sponsored by masonic lodges, according to one promoter, who did not want to be named. "You'd be surprised at the background of some of the followers. Lords, businessmen, politicians, even high-ranking cops will travel the country to see two men pit their wits against each other," he said.

So great is the concern about the fights, which are staged at secret venues at least once a week, that the British Board of Film Classification has banned a graphic documentary about the sport by an award-winning film- maker. Andreas Whittam Smith, the new BBFC president, said Bare Fist promoted "gross" violence, including how to lace bandaged fists with glass fragments for lethal effect.

But David Monaghan, the director of the 50-minute video, has accused the BBFC of blatant discrimination against the Romany community, whose culture includes the banned sport. He said it was tame compared with Fight Club, a new Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt which depicts several gory and violent bare-knuckle fight scenes. Fight Club has been passed by the censors, but has already been labelled "dangerous" and "irresponsible" by critics, who fear it may inspire copycat behaviour.

"The BBFC has passed films glorifying serial killers and finds the violence in films like Reservoir Dogs acceptable, but dismisses a documentary featuring gypsy men and their sport," said Mr Monaghan.

There are 12 minutes of fighting in Bare Fist, which is narrated by bare- knuckle boxing legend, the late Lenny McLean. The boxer is also the inspiration for a new film, The Guv'nor, which is being produced by Guy Ritchie, who made Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

The reality of bare-knuckle boxing in Britain could not be further removed from the glamour of Hollywood. While Friday night drinkers are slumped over their pints, the entertainment will be just beginning in a dank warehouse in London's Smithfield or on wasteland in the West Midlands' town of Walsall.

The contenders usually come from a "straight" boxing background, but have lost or cannot qualify for a licence from the British Board of Boxing Control.

Entrance is by word of mouth. The location of the bout is only revealed a few hours earlier with a furtive telephone call from the organisers. Punters also have to place a minimum bet of pounds 100 for the dubious privilege of watching two men inflict savage and often fatal injuries with their teeth and bare fists.

There is plenty of blood. It will be pouring from a fighter's ears and probably from his groin where he has been bitten by his opponent. He will have soaked his hands in vinegar but his fists will end up shredded to ribbons.

The impact of one man's bare fist on another is equivalent to the force of a 4lb lump hammer travelling at 20 miles an hour. The effect can be devastating, even after an average bout lasting a few minutes. There are no official rounds; instead the loser is the one whose injuries are so bad he can no longer stand up.

Roy York, a bare-knuckle referee for more than 12 years, said the betting was just as much a draw as the violence. "There are loads of side bets and cash going around at these shows," he said. "The atmosphere is buzzing. It's like watching gladiators in the arena. The women love it."

`People say it is barbaric, but you have a choice'

HE MAY have dainty china figurines on his windowsill but Joe Savage is a man to make a prospective father-in-law turn pale, writes Sophie Goodchild.

Weighing 19.5 stone and with a 54in chest, he is the veteran of 42 bare- knuckle fights and self-proclaimed champion of the sport.

His hands bear testament to his pugilistic career, which has taken him all over Britain as well as the world. They are covered with scars and one of his knuckles is missing - it was smashed to fragments in a particularly savage bout.

Then there was the time his ear was left hanging off by an opponent and on the side of his mouth is a scar where he was bitten.

Mr Savage, his real name, has now been forced to retire from the game, so spends his time as a celebrity bodyguard and training young hopefuls to appear in bare-knuckle events in the US.

But the 6ft former fighter still speaks with a passion about the adrenaline rush which is so intense that it dulls out the pain of injuries until after the match. "Once you throw your first punch the adrenaline is racing," he said. "You live off the adoration and the fact everyone has come to see you. It's only afterwards that you feel the pain."

With the addition of a few rules, he believes the bare-knuckle boxing should be a licensed sport. "People say its barbaric but you have a choice," he said. "Fox-hunting is barbaric because the fox does not have a choice. There are probably more people killed by bee-stings and in car crashes than in bare-knuckle."

He says he has been asked to stage fights at stately homes. "People think it's about fat-bellied working-class people, but I've seen police, doctors and lawyers go and watch. These are pillars of society who are earning pounds 250,000 a year," he added.

"I don't drink or do drugs and I'm the first to walk away from a fight at a pub - I believe it's better to fight with your mind and your tongue. But-bare knuckle boxing is different. It's an art-form."