Finding sophistication in modern combat sports

With discussion of a bare-knuckle boxing event coming to Iola, Register Sports Editor Jimmy Potts thinks talk on social media, pro and against, is a little overblown.

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Sports

June 25, 2026 - 3:52 PM

Shown here is Iola Register sports editor Jimmy Potts. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

In the wake of the Iola City Council’s recent discussion of bare-knuckle boxing, I thought the social media response — positive and negative — a bit overblown.

Bare-knuckle is boxing and it isn’t. It’s a savage bloodsport, and it’s not. It’s its own niche where professional fighters are celebrated and amateurs should keep away.

The term bare-knuckle comes from competitors not wearing traditional boxing gloves but instead a wrapped wrist and exposed knuckles. 

With bare-knuckle, traditional boxing techniques go out the window because it’s…

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