bare-knuckling

noun — 2 senses

bare-knuckling

noun

1

Boxing that is done without boxing gloves.

In fact, the ring's transition from bare-knuckling to boxing was, in practical effect, only a slight move forward.1979, Don Atyeo, Blood & guts, violence in sports, page 168:

2

Ruthless competition.

But there were danger signs in the polls that Carter's bare-knuckling was debasing what one aide called “his strongest positive: you Jimmy the Mean says he's sorry, and Ronald Reagan scrambles for the middle of the road.1980, Newsweek - Volume 96, page 312:

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