Former boxing world champion Anthony Mundine is launching a bare-knuckle occasion in Queensland, declaring the game is much less brutal than it appears.
Mundine’s World Naked Knuckle Preventing is about to be launched in September at a venue in Brisbane, with the occasion streamed on-line.
The debut of Mundine’s promotion comes after the US-based Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship was blocked from internet hosting an occasion in June by the Western Australian authorities.
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The WA sports activities minister gave the inexperienced gentle for a proposed struggle evening at Perth’s RAC Area in July earlier than the state’s fight sports activities authority stepped in and denied the appliance.
Rahim Mundine walks to the ring with father Anthony Mundine forward of his middleweight bout towards Joe Vatusaqata at Qudos Financial institution Area on July 16, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photograph by Darrian Traynor/Getty Photos)Â Getty
Mundine’s firm has utilized to carry an occasion in Sydney, the place NSW Premier Chris Minns has labored with the UFC to stage occasions within the Harbour Metropolis.
Nevertheless, the submission continues to be into consideration, main Mundine and his enterprise companions to take their enterprise to Queensland, the place there is not any regulatory fight authority.
“[It’s] the purest type of combating,” stated Mundine, 50.
“It is about placing on a spectacle. We’re within the leisure business. I am 100 per cent sure that this occasion will entertain.”
Naked Knuckle combating has gained recognition within the UK and the US. Naked Knuckle FC
Resolution-makers in Western Australia stood by recommendation from the Australian Medical Affiliation’s WA state president, Michael Web page, who known as naked knuckle combating the “human equal of canine combating.”
Nevertheless, Mundine disputes the claims that naked knuckle combating results in extra head accidents.
On the occasion in Brisbane, he stated he could have a full medical group in place and has been given the go-ahead by veteran ringside physician Lou Lewis, who claims there may be much less threat of mind trauma than combating with gloves as a consequence of shorter blows and fewer repeated blows to the top.
“Clearly, it is going to be bloodier as a result of it is naked knuckle and the pores and skin can break up fairly simply,” Mundine stated.
The UFC staged an occasion in Sydney earlier this 12 months. Zuffa LLC
“It may look extra scary, nevertheless it truly is not. We’re doing it at an expert degree the place the fighters prepare for this kind of struggle.”
Mundine says his World Naked Knuckle Preventing occasions could have wider weight divisions so fighters do not have to empty themselves to make weight and might take in a punch to the top.
There are plans to have 10 bouts on the inaugural naked knuckle Australian card, with the likes of Ben Horn, the brother of former Aussie boxer Jeff Horn and NRL participant turned boxer Curtis Scott tipped to participate.
