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Inside the UK's only licensed bare knuckle fight club – Huck Magazine
In February 2020, before the UK began its cycle of pandemic lockdowns, photographer John Bolloten travelled to a hotel in his hometown of Bradford. He wasn’t going to spend a night there, but to attend a meeting of the Spartan Bare Knuckle Fight Club – the only licensed hay bale fight club in the UK.
As the crowd began to file in, eventually growing to over 700 people, Bolloten jostled to find a spot to line his camera up and take pictures. An MC’s voice blared over the tannoy speakers, signalling the start of one of the most dangerous combat sports in the world: “Bradford, are you ready for some extreme violence?!”
“Even before the fighting started I was really intrigued, and almost hooked,” recalls Bolloten. “What the first two or three people I spoke to, who were all fighters, told me about themselves made me realise very quickly that it’s not just about the sport and the combat. It was like, who are these guys and why are they doing this?”
John Best and Andrew Shields battle it out at a bare knuckle pit fight in Oldham in 2021. John Best wins.
Lee Riach is knocked out by Stefan Davies at the bare knuckle pit fight in Oldham in 2021.
Bare knuckle pit fighter Jacob Williams.
The fighting commenced when two men – shirtless and gloveless – entered a tiny, eight-by-eight-foot area boxed off with hay bales and began throwing everything that they had at each other. The tiny space means fighters are squeezed close together, and there is nowhere to retreat or hide.
“When they made the pit, I could see it was a small space,” says Bolloten. “I decided to jump over and stand inside – it felt like half the size it looked from the outside. I thought: ‘Wow, there’s obviously no time or space for thinking or running or dancing – it’s going to be straight combat.’”
Bolloten has been following the Spartan Fight Club around the north of England ever since, documenting the fights, fighters, and fans. His pictures are collated in his new series Blood Brothers, which capture in visceral detail the energy of the fights – the punches, the knockdowns, the roaring crowds, and the bloodied victors.
Aaron Lambourne photographed a few hours before his fight in Oldham in 2021.
A bloodied Corey Edgar after losing his fight, which was stopped by medics.
Matti Mongan and Peter Hayes battle it out in a pit fight in Manchester in 2020.
Most fights last less than a minute, and injuries are common – broken noses, cracked jaws and cut eye sockets are habitual, and medics are always on hand to immediately respond if anyone is seriously hurt. So why do people want to take part in such a violent sport?
“Many guys in pit are coming from backgrounds around drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues,” Bolloten explains. “Many people will say it’s therapeutic for them to face their demons and set a challenge that they’re going to reach and conquer. For me, as a person in recovery, watching it is almost like having a fix.” One guy, who used to be a drug dealer, told him that fighting was “better than smoking crack”.
With its claustrophobic crowds and no-holds barred punching, the Spartan events take boxing back to its raw, old school form. For Bolloten, the event that encapsulated that energy the most came in December 2020. When the country was in the midst of tight lockdown restrictions, around 100 people gathered around a makeshift hay bale pit near Manchester in freezing, two-degree weather, ready to fight.
“It was wild, there was no place for warming up – guys just stripping off their tops and then jumping in because it was completely illegal,” Bolloten says. “It was totally underground, stripped back to its core.”
Antz “Anyman” Harrison celebrates after winning his bare knuckle pit fight in Manchester in 2020.
Emanuel Olaru shows his bloodied wraps after winning his fight.
Aaron Woodward, despite losing his fight, is proud to have taken part.
“There’s this thing in society that fighting is bad, but fighting is a way of life for many men. It’s a part of them,” he continues. “A lot of them, young or old, love fighting, but they don’t want to have that on a Friday or Saturday night and go to prison. They want it in a controlled environment.
“And they don’t want to mess around with gloves – they want a proper fight with fists.”
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Norman Whiteside returns — When the artist was handed a 31-year sentence, his music was almost forgotten – that was until the likes of Frank Ocean and Kanye West started sampling his tracks. Now that he’s free, he says he’s still fighting to be heard.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
fight news
Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect to be ranked after beating Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 — so he’ll settle for Bobby… – MMA Mania
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Tony Ferguson is not ranked in the Top 15 at 155 pounds.
That’s why Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect to earn a spot on the lightweight ladder with a victory over the former interim champion when they collide at the upcoming UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) event, locked and loaded for Sat., Dec. 16, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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“I’ll be honest, I don’t see myself being put in the Top 15 after a win against Tony,” Pimblett told The Energized Show (transcribed by MMA News). “Bobby Green didn’t, and Bobby Green fought — beat him before I did, you know what I mean? So, I can see me fighting someone like that: Bobby Green, Grant Dawson, you know what I mean? Someone like that to get in the rankings.”
Pimblett and Green have a score to settle after this “fathead” incident at UFC San Diego.
“I mean, that’s what I can see after I beat Tony,” Pimblett continued. “Like, especially if the big fella Conor’s [McGregor] coming back in UFC 300, lad. The missus will be due a couple of weeks after that. So, it’d be nice to get another, another fight in, get another payday in before the twins are due.”
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The promotion is currently working on its lineup for the blockbuster UFC 300 card in April, which may be headlined by former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Pimblett vs. Green would be a strong addition, assuming “King” prevails this weekend at UFC Austin.
To see who else is fighting at UFC 296 click here.
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Boxing News: Charlo wins in comeback fight » December 4, 2023 – Fight News
In a grudge match, undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over José Benavídez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) in a non-title WBC special event on Saturday night’s Benavidez-Andrade card at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Returning after nearly 2 1/2 years, Charlo was stronger than the aggressive Benavidez and won most of the rounds. Benavidez was wobbled in the tenth. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 100-90.
Give props. He fought well. He knows how to fight.
Charlo did a good job moving, countering, and even leading in many rounds of the fight. Yes, he did well. However, I question if he can even stop Canelo who is much stronger than Benavidez Jr. Charlo will need to beat Canelo on points should they fight. I dont see a KO for Charlo against Canelo.
lol Canelo has never been knocked down let alone knocked out. Charbum absolutely has no chance of even hurting him. Charbum will be the one getting laid out if they fight.
Please nobody wants to see Charlo vs Canelo. The only fight for Canelo is Benavidez.
Benavidez vs Bivol is what we really want to see
Charlo very dominant, Jose put a valiant effort, but lacks fundamental
He should be ashamed he could not ko Benavides
Boxing should not let this fights go on
In the weigh in looks like over weight boxer is not a problem
But this like putting one live on risk
Charlo was too strong for Benavides
Can’t say I’d be too proud beating a guy two weight classes below me. And he couldn’t stop him? The commentators kept saying solid performance by Charlo and i get it .. he was out 40 months. But still, this was a super middle weight fighting a blown up welterweight. I guess that’s what Benavidez gets for all the pre fight talk. I pick Plant and Morrell over Charlo.
Not to bad after almost three years without fighting but nowhere close to challenge any one of the big names at Super Middle. Plant, Mibilli, Morrel and Benavidez would smoke him.
This fight did not settle in my gut correctly because Charlo missed weight. Under such weight related circumstances, Benavidez hung in there with a solid chin. Charlo’s punches were creative, and his jabs were mean.
Agree E man …Charlo had some good moments….but clearly that finisher that beast we are use to seeing .,.not there… hopefully it is rust…but …Charlo struggling with something else…can clearly see it…I hope that Charlo is “ok” outside the ring…
Yep, how good would charlo have been if he had of sweated off the extra 3-4 pounds and actually made weight ? Possibly a more even playing field for the smaller Benevidez Jr……
Hopefully charlo fights plant next
Not bad for charlo.good fight to get the rust out! Benavidez was talk,talk bullishht and no pop in his punches! Great sportsmanship on charlo at the post fight interview. Bobo gettn’ KO by benavidez next fight! Its a total mismatch, bobo too weak for the hard punching destroyer in benavidez! Bobo’s promoters don’t realize the danger they put him for picking this fight. Benavidez by brutal KO of the year on the 8th or a “no-mas” call out!
Dominated a welter weight (blown up). He got rounds in and maintained composure surprisingly.
I’m at the fight and there are no ring girls! WTF!!!
Benavidez about to stop Boo-boo. One more round
Done.
It was expected! A bobo blow out! Benavidez is in onother level, and not the bums bobo is used to fight and strugled with when he was champion! The most “avoided” title just was too big for bobo!
I don’t think it was right that Charlo be allowed to come in so heavy in violation of the contractual catch weight limit of 163. He likely was close to 170 when he stepped into the ring, more than 7-8 lbs heavier than Benavidez. He enjoyed a height advantage too. Totally unfair. Credit to Jose for putting up a valiant effort. Charlo couldn’t knock him out either. I personally am not very impressed with Charlo. He wants the big money that fighting Canelo or David Benavidez would bring, but it’s obvious that he would be no match for either. His more immediate goal should be to fight Plant, so he can save face and exact revenge for Plant slapping him. This is the reason that Plant slapped him too, to force him to choose Plant as an opponent with the title on the line.
Jose Benavides was out boxed. He did show he has a decent chin. Charlo didn’t have enough punching power to stop Benavides. Charlo will not beat Alvarez.
Just wanted to note….Charlo …I am praying for you….you are a man before a fighter…In your corner in “life”….hang in there champ…
Charlo is done at top level. I think Plant beats him at 168 and benavidez would knock him out as quick as he did Andrade. If he has to fight Adames at the middleweight limit, then he loses that too.
Way to go Charlo!
ok, lets just hope that we dont now have
canelo-charlo. if so, another hard pass for me
Surprised he couldn’t KO him. Jose Jr, a career Welterweight comes in at a catch weight of 163. Meanwhile Charlo, a natural Middleweight comes in 3.4# over at 166.4. So you had an overweight out of shape Welterweight fighting a Super Middleweight.
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What time is the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight tonight … – DAZN
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is back in the ring tonight for another exhibition fight as he prepares to face John Gotti III in Florida.
Mayweather has not had a professional fight since he ended his career on 50-0 following his huge event with Conor McGregor in 2017.
His most recent exhibition show was up against Aaron Chalmers in February 2023, in London.
Gotti last fought Albert Tulley at Rockin Fights 43 at the beginning of October last year, securing a decision victory in MMA, where he has a 5-1-0 record.
Here's all you need to know ahead of Mayweather vs. Gotti.
The event is set to get underway at 2 a.m. BST / 9 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 4 a.m. BST / 11 p.m. ET. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
The Zeus Network will be showing the event globally on PPV.
The fight will take place at FLA Live Arena, Florida, in the United States.
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