Inside brutal world of bare knuckle boxing where tattooed brawlers trade savage blows in front of cheering crowds
BRUTAL pics reveal the savage world of bare knuckle boxing as fighters risk horror injuries in front of cheering crowds.
The fearless brawlers trade blows in the images snapped during a competition in Old Trafford, Manchester.
Although described as bare knuckle, the fighters wear hand wraps to comply with the law.
From the side of the ring family and friends can be seen cheering the tattoo-emblazoned brawlers on.
While relieved partners embrace and kiss the winners and losers after the terrifying bouts.
The Sun went to the legally licensed event where the headline was the third fight between Luke 'The Loose Cannon' Atkin and 'Disco' Dave Lowes.
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The two Yorkshire men exploded at each other until Dave was sent to the canvas with an eye injury just seconds into the first round.
The crowd went wild as Luke retained his cruiser weight title and Dave shook his head in desolation.
Speaking after his loss Dave announced his retirement from the sport that he loved.
He said to The Sun: "That was my last time. I am now retiring to be a full time carer for my nine-year-old son, Sebastian, who has complex health needs. He needs me now."
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The event was organised by mum-of three Amanda Smith.
Amanda told The Sun how the safety of the fighters was crucial to the event.
She said: " We have paramedics and a doctor at ringside. There is an ambulance on site in case a fighter has to be taken to hospital.
"A woman in the audience had a seizure on the night, and our medical team were on hand to deal with that situation. "
Amanda said that she appreciated her reputation was on the line as the organiser.
She added: "I can't think of anything that is more important than the safety of everyone involved.
"We test all the fighters for illegal drugs before the fights and do random spot tests afterwards."
Amanda said that, as the only female promoter of bare knuckle boxing in the country, she was trying to change popular perceptions of the sport.
For many bare knuckle was still rooted in the world made famous by the Guy Ritchie movie Snatch, based around a group of lawless travellers who fall out with a London crime boss.
Amanda explained: "I know everyone thinks of hay bales, fairgrounds and fights breaking out in the crowd. But that is just not what the sport is about.
"The fights are safe and legal. We don't tolerate any interference or trouble from the crowd.
"Our security team will eject trouble causers and then I will ban them for life.
"Fortunately everyone who takes part respects me and my husband Shaun, who is the referee on the night."
Although controversial due to the facial injuries associated with the sport, proponents of bare knuckle boxing argue an open fist causes less trauma than a boxing glove, which can 'shake the brain.'
Amanda said that that many of the fighters benefited from the discipline and training regime associated with brutal sport.
She said: "The training regime helps some of the fighters with the own personal struggles.
"Luke Atkin has had a difficult time this year and I think he would be lost without bare knuckle boxing."
Amanda, who has been promoting BKB events for the past eight years, said that her shows were now like a family night out.
She sad: "The fighters, fans and staff at the BEC have all got to know each other now."
Amanda's next show is set to take place on January 27 2024 at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.
