Bare-knuckle Boxing

Categories / Population/Urban Living
BARE-KNUCKLE BOXING, an old Russian popular amusement, grew out of combat technique practised by Old Russian unmounted warriors. Bare-knuckle boxing took place on holidays only, and usually several people took part in it, much more seldom was it a single fight. In the 18th century bare-knuckle fights took place among inhabitants of neighbouring villages, workers from different factories and mills etc. Quite often these fights transformed into a mere scuffle, while sometimes knives were used. In 1726 by the Emperor's order bare-knuckle boxing could take place upon the authorization of the police only, who would appoint sites for fights and observers. Participants of a bare-knuckle fight chose among themselves a foreman in charge of 100, 10 and so forth who was to see that the rules of the fight are observed. In 1743 Bare-knuckle fights were officially banned in St. Petersburg, but it was ineffective: in 1751 fierce fights took place on Millionnaya Street, which were reported to Empress Elizabeth (Elizaveta Petrovna). In the late 18th century bare-knuckle fighting occurred in Ekateringof, in the early 19th century - in Yamskaya settlement (present-day district of Marata Street and Razyezzhaya Street), at Okhta, beside Smolny Convent. Every Sunday of the Lent bare-knuckle fights were arranged by the Neva. In the mid-19th century bare-knuckle fights occurred on Chernysheva Square (presently Lomonosova Square), at Volkovskoe Cemetery, in Apraksin Dvor and other places. Bare-knuckle fights were a necessary element of Shrovetide and Easter festivals. The police turned a blind eye to this entertainment, though sometimes they parted fighters by pouring water on them. By the end of the 19th century bare-knuckle fights, as a rule, were conducted away from the areas of popular carnivals; quite often they happened on the outskirts of the city: in Smolenskoe village, in Avtovo, Kupchino, at Okhta. Mostly young people participated in the fights. Wealthy bystanders awarded money to winners. Strict rules were observed in bare-knuckle boxing; their infraction led to the severe punishment of the guilty fighter. Opponents stationed themselves opposite one another in sides; the fight was opened by boys (teasers). Fighting with a filling (a heavy object clutched in a fist) was barred, as was beating a man who was down and beating out of wing (an unexpected blow at the side or from behind); a fighter that sat down on the ground was considered captured. In the beginning of the 20th century bare-knuckle fights usually took place in Borodin Lane beside Narva Triumphal Arch. Bare-knuckle boxing still continued to exist for some time after 1917.

References: Высоцкий И.П. Санкт-Петербургская столичная полиция и градоначальство, 1703-1903: Крат. ист. очерк. СПб., 1903. p. 41-42; Горбунов Б. В. Традиции народных кулачных боев в Петербурге в XVIII - начале XX в. // Этнография Петербурга-Ленинграда: Материалы ежегод. науч. чтений. СПб., 1994. Вып. 3. p. 22-32; Грунтовский А.В. Русский кулачный бой: История, этнография, техника. СПб.; М., 2001.

Y. N. Kruzhnov. Borodin Lane/Saint Petersburg, city
Lomonosova Square/Saint Petersburg, city
Marata St./Saint Petersburg, city
Millionnaya St./Saint Petersburg, city
Razyezzhaya St./Saint Petersburg, city
Горбунов Б. В. Традиции народных кулачных боев в Петербурге в XVIII - начале XX в. // Этнография Петербурга-Ленинграда: Материалы ежегод. науч. чтений. СПб., 1994
Высоцкий И. П. Санкт-Петербургская столичная полиция и градоначальство, 1703-1903: Крат. ист. очерк. СПб., 1903
Грунтовский А. В. Русский кулачный бой: История. тнография. техника. СПб.; М., 2001 Shrovetide carnivals