The concept of topless boxing, also known as bare-knuckle or no-gloves boxing, has been around for centuries and has gained popularity in recent years. The following essay argues that topless boxing is a more authentic and intense form of combat sport that offers a unique set of benefits and challenges.
Topless boxing, a niche and somewhat controversial topic within the realm of combat sports, involves female boxers competing without wearing the traditional protective sports bra or top, exposing their breasts during the match. This practice is not widely accepted or recognized within mainstream boxing due to various concerns, including athlete safety, cultural norms, and the potential objectification of female athletes.
While it shares the name "boxing," it serves a different function than the sport that demands athletes put their bodies through rigorous training to earn respect in a, as studies show, heavily gender-negotiated space.
The double standard extends beyond the ring. As Irish model Judy Fitzgerald pointed out in 2018: “We’re wearing a string‑top and shorts. The men are boxing topless but nobody says anything!” She argued that those calling for ring card girls to be banned were missing the point, noting that the men in the ring are just as physically exposed, yet no one questions their attire. Her observation highlights a persistent inconsistency: a woman’s bare torso is inherently sexualised in ways a man’s is not. This cultural fact has shaped every aspect of topless boxing, from the 18th‑century crowds who “wanted to see their tits” to the modern weigh‑in where a strategically painted chest generates millions of social media views. topless boxing
Topless Boxing: The Complex History, Legal Reality, and Cultural Impact of Shirtless Combat
Fast‑forward to the late 20th century, and the pattern repeated itself: women who wanted to box found few legitimate opportunities and many predatory offers.
: Today, "topless" elements in boxing are mostly seen in niche exhibitions or weigh-ins, such as Japanese boxer Tomomi Takano’s famous weigh-in [4]. The concept of topless boxing, also known as
In the world of mainstream, sanctioned sports, boxing is almost synonymous with a shirtless appearance—for men. This standard traces back to the London Prize Ring Rules
It is important to distinguish between and Entertainment .
The concept of topless boxing isn't new. It has its roots in various forms of combat sports and exhibitions throughout history. However, the modern version of topless boxing as we know it today began gaining popularity in the late 20th century, particularly among female boxers looking for alternative ways to compete. This practice is not widely accepted or recognized
By the early 19th century, the rise of the British Evangelical Christian movement heavily criminalized women's participation in combat. It pushed female pugilism out of legitimate sporting spaces and relegated it to underground sideshows, establishing a stark double standard regarding who was legally and socially permitted to box topless.
In June 2023, Australian boxer Cherneka Johnson appeared at her weigh‑in topless except for body paint that replicated a sports bra, with the OnlyFans logo emblazoned on her chest. The stunt drew a stern‑faced reaction from promoter Eddie Hearn and a pointed response from fellow fighter Ebanie “Blonde Bomber” Bridges, who had already pioneered the use of the adult platform OnlyFans to supplement her boxing income. Bridges, known for her body positivity and her own OnlyFans account, had previously shown up to weigh‑ins in revealing outfits, and she quickly asserted her primacy: “I’m the OG,” she tweeted.
In sanctioned women's combat sports, the chest area requires specific protection. Impact to the breast tissue can cause severe contusions, hematomas, and long-term fat necrosis (benign masses caused by trauma). Standard athletic commissions require female fighters to wear fitted sports tops that accommodate protective cups or molded chest guards to disperse the kinetic energy of oncoming punches. Sanctioning and Legitimacy
In the late 20th century, the term mutated away from mainstream athletic standards and into adult-oriented nightlife entertainment. Nightclub Exploitation (1980s–1990s)