Martial artists David Lindholm and Ulf Karlsson present this practical guide to learning and effectively applying the classic combative skill of bare-knuckle boxing in real-world situations. This age-old fighting practice, also known as pugilism, began long ago in Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire and developed over time into a precursor to the modern sport of boxing.

Lindholm and Karlsson discuss the differences between the bare-knuckle approaches used by various historical teachers, and provide useful technical instruction on how to implement the strategies yourself. They cover stances, strikes, punches, kicks, counters, throws, and avoidance as well as essential components of training and conditioning. Studying these time-tested techniques and carefully practicing the patterns will allow you strike hard yet still protect your ungloved hands, and be able to do so in a variety of conditions and scenarios.

The Bare-Knuckle Boxer's Companion is illustrated with hundreds of pictures depicting classical actions and poses, and is also rounded out with a superb bibliography of recommended historical source texts. This valuable guide is a must-have resource for any modern-day self-defense student, from beginners to experienced martial artists, as well as anyone interested in the history of fighting and boxing.