DeGale in bare knuckle is just frightening on its face. He was being torn up on his way out of the sport and now going on 40. Some people actually say less deep damage is done and gloves are largely to protect the hands but getting punched in the head is still getting punched in the head.

Seemed like back in the day guys did it in reverse. They'd come up in tough man contests or smokers and then gradually improve skill and professionally train to become solid boxers. I remember Haugen and Morrison talking about it. But bare knuckle now is basically a last gasp for faded former boxers. Nowadays the only bare-knuckle fights I'll watch are the classic flick Hard Times starring Charles Bronson. And maybe a few Clint Eastwood classics