Former world boxing champion Anthony Mundine is set to launch a bare-knuckle fighting event in Queensland, scheduled for September. Mundine’s initiative, dubbed the World Bare Knuckle Fighting, will take place in Brisbane and will be streamed online. This announcement comes after the Western Australian government blocked a similar event from the US-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship earlier in June.
Despite the controversy surrounding bare-knuckle fighting, Mundine claims the sport is not as brutal as perceived. He describes it as “the purest form of fighting” and aims to provide a thrilling spectacle for fans. At the Brisbane event, Mundine assures that a full medical team will be present and that they have received approval from experienced ringside doctor Lou Lewis. Lewis suggests the risk of brain trauma in bare-knuckle fights is lower compared to traditional boxing, citing shorter and less frequent blows to the head, although he admits that the nature of bare-knuckle fighting may result in more visible injuries due to skin lacerations.
Mundine has also applied to hold events in Sydney; however, that submission is still under review. Meanwhile, Queensland, which lacks a regulatory combat sports authority, presents an opportunity for Mundine and his partners to move forward unimpeded.
Mundine has expressed confidence that the event will be highly entertaining, with anticipated participation from boxers like Ben Horn, brother of former champion Jeff Horn, and former NRL player Curtis Scott. The inaugural card is expected to feature ten bouts and will also accommodate wider weight divisions, allowing fighters to better manage their weight and withstand hits.
Decision-makers in Western Australia had previously sided with the Australian Medical Association’s stance against bare-knuckle fighting, equating it with animal cruelty. However, Mundine contests these views, arguing that the sport will be conducted at a highly professional level with trained fighters adequately prepared for the unique challenges of bare-knuckle confrontations.
As the sport gains traction internationally, Mundine’s venture aims to capture the growing interest in bare-knuckle fighting, which has seen a surge in popularity in the UK and the US, while striving to present it as a legitimate and safe combat sport in Australia.