bare-knuckling

English

Verb

bare-knuckling

1. present participle and gerund of bare-knuckle

Noun

bare-knuckling (uncountable)

1. Boxing that is done without boxing gloves.
   • 1979, Don Atyeo, Blood & guts, violence in sports, page 168:

     In fact, the ring's transition from bare-knuckling to boxing was, in practical effect, only a slight move forward.

2. Ruthless competition.
   • 1980, Newsweek - Volume 96, page 312:

     But there were danger signs in the polls that Carter's bare-knuckling was debasing what one aide called “his strongest positive: you Jimmy the Mean says he's sorry, and Ronald Reagan scrambles for the middle of the road.