The Bare-knuckle Fighter

The man in his sixties was so curious about this idea of bareknuckle fighting as a spectator sport he took the train to Los Angeles California. He found an underground competition site and took his time to “scope” out the venue. Supposedly word on the street was that this one was so good movie stars and politicians attended. Thousands and thousands could be made with the right bet. Ten grand the normal limit of a wager with exceptions.

Alright the man was and is me. Two people beating each other to near death. I think most people watch movies and the hero beats another man up in the face. And then he just shuffles to the next villain and does the same. Too funny, my 9 year old gets it already.

The human face has fourteen bones plus normally some hard cartilage. Actually pretty strong as we had to evolve to protect our head, you know, that taste, hearing, seeing, feeling, thinking and smelling stuff that we generally needed to survive.

Now go get a small bone for your dog to enjoy as a toy. Or even just a frozen chicken body. Hit them as hard as you can with your fist like you are really mad. I would suggest you schedule an appointment with your doctor ahead of time. Just say that you are over 55 years old. Just schedule the appointment right now with the radiologist because your doctor will order it. And make sure your medical insurance covers arthritis medications.

Now think this way. The most effective way to incapacitate and break a nose in the process is a forehead push to the nose. Note I did not say a head Butt. A butt has your moving back quickly. This is bad for it “rattles” the brain.

So beating a face is bad on the bones for both the face and the hand. But the damage is caused by “rattling” the brain. When the head is knocked back and forth the brain slams back and forth in the cranium. This hurts it very much. Some NFL players actually die from the related medical issues. It is very literally rattling the head. So for every hit there is a secondary one to the brain.

So what is the allure of bareknuckle fighting as a competition with the loser passing out from repeated concussions?

My nose does not work like yours probably does. I can smush it flat to my face. Makes kids freak out and want to see it again. As a kid I bare knuckled a whole lot so my nose did not develop right. I think maybe 6 different cartilage in the nose. Now you know why I talk like I am rattled.

The above may be fascinating for about 400 words. Maybe too long. Just jump to this; beating up another’s spirit. Bareknuckle assault on the psyche of another. Hurtful swings and blows. The actual spirit cannot really take a beating or give one. But we men and women can. Oh I recognize a need to spiritually punch someone in the face. It just is not my calling. I have tried and seemingly keep trying it but it always hurts me more than them. Hey maybe that is good for both of us. Failure in brutality and absence of love. What the heck there are lessons everywhere.

Back to the fighting. I paid 50 bucks to get in. I looked for a bookie with his hand in the air and wagered 10 bucks on the “challenger” I had no clue but thought it odd you pay 50 to get in but can wager only 10 bucks. All excited who the challenger would be with ten to one odds. But also ready to be totally grossed out. I wondered what burly burly half man half beast would come out on either side. And there they were, two perfect physiques. Fit to every square inch. But these “fighters” had headgear on and lightweight boxing gloves and some kind of pad on their feet/ankles.

Not what I expected and a referee to boot. The “cage” was lightly padded and the floor per pro specks to boxing. And what the heck they were of the feminine gender. Two fine athletes ready to go at it. Boyo boyo did I read a book by its cover. These ladies flew through the air like Chinese ballerinas. They danced and weaved like Travolta and Rocky at their best. Blow after blow dodged with a counter strike.

I made the ten to one. Walked out 60 bucks the richer. “If battle is done with courage and honor, then it is not battle but rather a move on a chess board”. “Those who do the fight without the choice to do so are ultimate victims of conflict”.

My editors were amazed when I got back to them about my jaunt into the underbelly of society. They spoke to me of a “slant” that would make it more sensational. I suggested the shock and awe that this underground sport was sport and not just horrible brutality. We went for it and it got major hits. I have this contract that says I cannot reference it.

Can conflict produce good? Of course it can! My wife and son compete veraciously for him to be in the top of his class. He is always in the top five of thirty. They both love it. Very nerdy to me. Rock climbing is more my style where the conflict and competition is within you and not a product for others.

Of course I am too old now to do certain things like landing a back flip or leg pressing 500. But I am having to really fight with cardio vascular training. Yuk!! Not concussions but repercussions for failing.

Back to my spiritual love side. I still admit to having an angel on my right shoulder and a devil on my left. But nowadays we wear the headgear and gloves so the competition is artful and not brutal. People say the devil is a trickster. Forget about it, the angel out tricks him every time lest I bet on the devil at ten to one odds.

I wonder if the above is an analogy, parable, metaphor or simile. How about we just go with “of interest” as my mind wonders and wanders at the best and worst of life.

So as is my want, the above is just a stroll like in my parks.

I have these friends and family that love me no matter what. No conflict, no fight but just unconditional love. In my dotage I like that more. But striving against the odds of the world verses the love is paramount. And yet to me it is no longer a battle. There is no foe that overcomes or defeats love. I wonder if that is conquer by love or the retreat or surrender of love. Can Love be a shield against the arrows and swords of this world? Maybe just the success of love? How rich am I. My spiritual wallet is filled with the cache. No not cash. A tuck away of love hidden and holding for the future. No boxer can beat it out of me. I think my loved ones all have the key to my treasure.

Now do not look at me. I just cleared a shopping and cleaning and weeding protocal with my boss/wife. She only added special green tomatoes. Ok! I am a sissy pants stay at home house husband. My job is do the job of teaching a child to overcome. Do Angels have such a great job? Thanks for employing me God. I like my job and will work overtime for free.

(A note: I looked into it further and yes sometimes they did have bareknuckle stuff – but it struck odd. Do not tell anyone but it just acts like “underground” fighting. For the allure. It is licensed. Betting? I doubt.)