The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame is a museum and hall of fame in Belfast, New York, dedicated to the sport of bare-knuckle boxing. It is housed in barns that were once owned by the Greco-Roman wrestling champion and physical culture pioneer William Muldoon. The heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan, who fought in both bare-knuckled and gloved boxing contests, trained in these barns under Muldoon's guidance for his championship bout against Jake Kilrain in 1889. The barns were originally across Main Street from their current location, on the grounds of the Belfast Catholic Church. They were bought, moved, and restored by Scott Burt when the church became no longer interested in maintaining them. Burt opened the Hall of Fame in 2009, when it had its first induction class.
The Hall of Fame houses plaques and memorabilia associated with bare-knuckle boxers that have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, as well as exhibits devoted to the general history of bare-knuckle boxing. Each year's induction class includes bare-knuckle boxers from the classic era, modern bare-knuckle boxers, and honorary inductees. Trainers, promoters and other significant figures in the sport are also upon occasion inducted.
The Hall of Fame also serves as a memorial to Sullivan's training camp with Muldoon, a number of relics of which have survived the lengthy period when the barns sat unused. These include his original work-out rings, a ceiling mount for Sullivan's heavy bag, the slatted area of flooring on which Sullivan stood for gravity showers after training, his original swing clubs and weights, and the "room of repose" in which Sullivan and Muldoon relaxed and discussed strategy in the evenings, which includes some of Muldoon's original furniture. Sullivan and Muldoon's use of this training camp was documented by the celebrated reporter Nellie Bly, in an article she wrote for the New York World.
Inductees The following are the inductees into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame as of 6 April 2018:
Original inductees Original inductees are required to have boxed completely bare-fisted (with no wraps) at some point in their career. These include living fighters and those that fought as early as the 18th century. YearInducteesRoleNationality2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Boxer2009Trainer2009Promoter2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Boxer2010Manager2010Promoter2011Boxer2011Boxer2011Boxer2012Boxer2012Boxer2012Boxer2013Boxer2013Boxer2013Boxer2014Boxer2014Boxer2014Boxer2014Boxer2014Boxer2015Boxer2015Boxer2015Boxer2016Boxer2016Boxer2016Boxer2016BoxerAuthorKnuckle (film)2016BoxerStreet fighter2016Publication2017Boxer2017Boxer2017Boxer2017Boxer2017Boxer2018Boxer2018Boxer2018Boxer2018Boxer
Honorary inductees These must have brought positive spotlight to upstate New York or done a considerable service to the sport of Bare-knuckle boxing. Honorary inductees are those that have not bare knuckle boxed, that is, those listed as a 'boxer' have boxed with gloves or wraps, and inductees associated with ice hockey are inducted for their contributions to the fighting aspects of the game (to date, both hockey-related honorary inductees have been associated with the Buffalo Sabres, who play from Belfast). The honorary inductees were included as an acknowledgement that bare-knuckle boxing ended as a mainstream sport over a century ago, and that the honorary inductee system allows notable figures that promoted activity similar to bare knuckle boxing, who might be more recognizable to modern audiences, to be included in the Hall.
YearInducteeRoleNationality2009Boxer2009Hockey enforcer2009Boxer2009Promoter2010Boxer2011Boxer2011Boxer2011Boxer2012CoachTrainer(to Muhammad Ali before the 1960 Summer Olympics)2012Trainer(of Billy Backus in the 1970s)2012Trainer(Team Mesi)2012Trainer(Team Mesi)2012Trainer(Team Mesi)2012Trainer(Team Mesi)2012TrainerGym Owner2012Gym Owner2013Boxer2013Boxer2013Boxer2013Boxer2014Reporter2014NYSAC Commissioner2014Trainer2014Boxer2014Boxer2015Promoter of the sport2015Boxer2015Commentator2015Historian2015Commentator2015Commentator2015Trainer2015Boxer2015Purple Heart HomesCharity2016Boxer2016Ring MagazinePublication2016Boxing News MagazinePublication2016The USA Boxing NewsPublication2017Wrestler2017Grandmaster2017Artist2017Boxer2017Boxer2017Boxer2018Hockey announcer(inducted for his blow-by-blow on in-game fights)2018Historian2018Boxer
Marie Backus Person of the Year
YearRecipient2014Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons2015Jack Emrick2016Bob Collins2017Gino Arilotta2018Bill Clancy
Induction events
For the inaugural induction ceremony in 2009, former undisputed heavyweight champion Leon Spinks was a special guest.
From 2011 to 2013 there was a breakfast in honour of a particular person each year, and in 2011 this was Jack Green, Buffalo Ring 44 President. In 2012 the breakfast was in honour of Jeff Mengel, who had trained the fighter Jimmy Holmes in the barns in Belfast, New York. The 2013 breakfast was in honour of Zeke Wilson, author of the book The Eighth Round, combatant of prejudice in boxing and a noted boxer himself.
Current recognized champions
With the introduction of modern-day sanctioned bare knuckle boxing events both inside and outside of the United States, the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame, in conjunction with the National Police Gazette, currently recognizes several individuals as World and American Bare Knuckle Boxing champions. The following individuals are recognized as the current champions.
Division Champion Heavyweight World Champion Joey Beltran Heavyweight American Champion Chase Sherman Lightweight American Champion Johnny Bedford Women's Featherweight World Champion Bec Rawlings Women's Featherweight American Champion Helen Peralta
Modern era championship history
National Police Gazette Heavyweight World Championship Weight limit: 265 lbs (120 kg) Bobby Gunn was recognized as the Bare Knuckle Boxing lineal champion after his victory over Richie Steward in 2011. Sometime after this victory, Gunn was awarded the National Police Gazette Championship by the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame. He then cemented his lineal championship status as he defeated Irineu Beato Costa Jr at BKFC 1 in 2018 which did not appear to be a Police Gazette Championship title defense. No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Bobby Gunn promoted to undisputed champion N/A February, 2016The title was vacated on Nov 11, 2019 as Bobby Gunn was named Police Gazette Champion Emeritus, meaning he can challenge for the World title whenever he wants2 Joey Beltrandef. Chase ShermanBare Knuckle Fighting Championship 9Biloxi, MississippiNovember 16, 20191. def. Marcel Stamps at BKFC 13 on Oct 10, 2020 2. def. Sam Shewmaker at BKFC 18 on June 26, 20213 Arnold AdamsBare Knuckle Fighting Championship Fight Night: New YorkSalamanca, New YorkNovember 6, 2021The title was vacated for unknown reasons4 Gustavo Trujillo def. Ike VillanuevaBYB 28: Bourbon Street BrawlNew Orleans, LouisianaJuly 13, 2024
National Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship Weight limit: 265 lbs (120 kg) Arnold Adams claimed this championship by winning an 8-man tournament which was hosted by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Arnold Adams def. Sam Shewmaker Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 3Biloxi, Mississippi October 20, 20182 Chase ShermanBare Knuckle Fighting Championship 7Biloxi, Mississippi August 10, 2019The title was vacated as Chase Sherman fought for the World Championship against Joey Beltran
National Police Gazette UK Heavyweight Championship Weight limit: 265 lbs (120 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Jody Meikledef. Dorian Darch BKB 24London, UK January 22, 20222 Dan PodmoreBKB 26London, UKJune 11, 2022
National Police Gazette 225-lb UK Championship Weight limit: 225 lbs (102 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Dan Podmoredef. Ryan Barrett BKB 28London, UK September 3, 2022
National Police Gazette Cruiserweight World Championship
Weight limit: 205 lbs (93 kg)
No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Lorenzo Huntdef. Héctor Lombard Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 22Miami, Florida November 12, 2021The title was vacated on July 13, 2022 for unknown reasons2 Marko Martinjakdef. Chad KellyBKB 29London, EnglandDecember 3, 20223 Jarome HatchBYB 16: Desert BrawlDubai, United Arab EmiratesMarch 18, 20234 Marko MartinjakBKB 18: The Police Gazette International CupLondon, EnglandJune 25, 20231. def. Jarome Hatch at BYB 23 on January 18, 2024
National Police Gazette 205-lb British Championship Weight limit: 205 lbs (93 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Dave Thomasdef. Steve Evans BKB 27London, UK July 23, 2022
National Police Gazette 185-lb World Championship Weight limit: 185 lbs (84 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Cub Hawkinsdef. Daniel Lerwell BYB 23: Brawl in the Pines 2Pembroke Pines, Florida January 18, 2024
National Police Gazette 185-lb British Championship Weight limit: 185 lbs (84 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Marley Churcherdef. Gavin Curragh BKB 27London, UK July 23, 20222 James ConnellyBKB 31London, EnglandMarch 26, 2023
National Police Gazette 175-lb World Championship Weight limit: 175 lbs (79 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Barrie Jonesdef. Jimmy Sweeney BKB 25London, UK April 10, 20221. def. Jimmy Sweeney at BKB 28 on September 3, 2022 2. def. Jonny Tello at BKB 30 on January 21, 2023 3. def. Tommy Turner at BYB 18 on June 25, 20232 Lowrant-T NelsonBYB 30: Cardiff BrawlCardiff, WalesAugust 17, 2024
National Police Gazette 175-lb British Championship Weight limit: 175 lbs (79 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Tony Laffertydef. Reece Murray BKB 29London, England December 3, 2022
National Police Gazette 165-lb World Championship Weight limit: 165 lbs (74 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Elvin Leon Brito def. Kaleb HarrisBare Knuckle Fighting Championship Fight Night: JacksonJackson, MississippiJanuary 29, 2022
National Police Gazette 165-lb British Championship Weight limit: 165 lbs (74 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Sean Georgedef. Tony Lafferty BKB 25London, UK April 10, 20222 Scott McHughBKB 26London, UKJune 11, 20221. def. Martin Reffell at BKB 28 on September 3, 2022
National Police Gazette 155-lb World Championship
Weight limit: 155 lbs (70 kg)
No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Luis Palominodef. Jim Alers Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 14Miami, Florida November 13, 20201. def. Tyler Goodjohn at BKFC 18 on June 26, 20212. def. Dat Nguyen at BKFC 22 on November 12, 20213. def. Martin Brown at BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 on February 19, 2022The title was vacated on November 14, 2022 for unknown reasons2 Desmond Greendef. Scott McHughBYB 13: Tampa BrawlTampa, FloridaNovember 19, 2022
National Police Gazette 145-lb World Championship Weight limit: 145 lbs (65 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Seth Shafferdef. Carlos GuerraBYB 12: London BrawlLondon, EnglandOctober 16, 2022
National Police Gazette 135-lb World Championship Weight limit: 135 lbs (61 kg) No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Dat Nguyen def. Johnny BedfordBare Knuckle Fighting Championship: KnucklemaniaLakeland, FloridaFebruary 5, 2021The title was vacated on June 10, 2021 for unknown reasons2 Johnny Bedford def. Reggie Barnett Jr. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 20Biloxi, Mississippi August 20, 2021The title was vacated on December 21, 2022 as Johnny Bedford retired from combat sports
National Police Gazette Lightweight American Championship Weight limit: 135 lbs (61 kg) Johnny Bedford claimed this championship by winning an 8-man tournament which was hosted by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Johnny Bedford def. Reggie Barnett Jr. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 6Tampa, Florida June 22, 2019The title was changed to World Championship
National Police Gazette British Championship No.NameEventDateDefenses1 Matt Hodgsondef. Lawrence Tracey BKB 24London, UK January 22, 2022