British bare-knuckle boxing underground world revealed in dramatic pictures
Dramatic photos give an insight into bloodthirsty sport where fights are often ended prematurely from brutal knockouts
THESE are the dramatic photos which show the murky underworld of British bare-knuckle boxing.
The incredible pictures give an insight into the bloodthirsty sport where fights are often ended prematurely from brutal knockouts.
Organisers of bare-knuckle boxing insist the fights are above board and legal, although it remains unregulated because there is no licensing body currently in place.
The events state that gloves are banned and fighters are only permitted to wear lightweight wraps and padding.
Bare-knuckle events consist of two three-minute rounds, though they rarely go the distance.
Those competing can only punch and bouts are often stopped by the fighter's support team throwing in the towel, or the referee recognising it is an unfair contest.
Top bare-knuckle fighters can earn up to £50,000 for a bout.
The pictures were taken at an event last year called Blood Sport 2 and was held in an old cotton mill a few miles away from Bolton Town Centre by photographer Keith Vaughton.
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Keith, from Morris Green, Greater Manchester, said: "I think people see these films like Snatch, which portrays illegal, bare-knuckle fights between travellers and they got the wrong impression.
"There was a genuine camaraderie between the fighters. There was none of this, 'I'm going to kill you' or anything like that.
"After the fights, there were hugs, laughs and handshakes. There was no animosity whatsoever."