Gunn Pulls No Punches in Boxingtalk interview

As a cruiserweight in the traditional pro boxing ranks, Bobby Gunn compiled a 21-4 record with losses to Enzo Maccarinelli and Tomasz Adamek in his biggest fights. On Augusat 5th, Gunn participated in a bare knuckle (gloveless) boxing match, a throwback to the late 1800s, on the grounds of the Fort McDowell Casino just outside of Scottsdale, Arizona (on Native American land). Gunn stopped Rich Stewart, 14-9 as a traditional boxer, by third-round knockout to claim the heavyweight bare knuckle championship. Gunn acknowledges there are well-known bare knuckle fighters in Europe whom he would like to fight.

The year was 1889 when the legendary John L. Sullivan reigned as the last bare knuckle champion and famoulsy boasted he could “lick any man in the house.” A very humble Gunn feels proud to be part of the same lineage as the great Sullivan, who eventually transitioned to standard boxing when the gloved Marquis of Queensbury rules were introduced.

“It’s a great feeling to be a part of history my friend. Having this title is an honor. I never have gotten this type of world wide attention. I’ve gotten so many calls and e-mails and I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Gunn.

The 38 year old father of two is someone who genuinely likes to compete, and more importantly, likes to fight. What further validated this premise was that Gunn did not cash a pay check for winning the bare knuckle bout. Gunn says he even paid his own expenses to fly over to Arizona. Gunn said that when he received a phone call from a representative of the Indian reservation that he looked at the big picture and felt that you can’t put a price tag on being a part of a historic event.

“I was featured on the ESPN, website, my face was right next to Manny Pacquaio's. People knew about this fight in advance and the reaction has been more good than bad,” Gunn. His participation in the gloveless scrap brought exposure to his career but also raised the ire of the Association of Boxing Commissions. The ABC felt that Gunn was breaking the law somehow taking part in this organized competition between two adults. The Yavapai Nation, which owns the casino which sits on tribal reservation, is outside of the ABC jurisdiction.

“With all due respect, if the ABC wanted to do something about this they could have, we promoted this fight for weeks and there were pre-fight articles written about this. Let me tell you my friend this was the cleanest most honest fight I’ve ever been involved with. There were no backdoor interest or politicking or promoters meddling, this was a pure contest in every sense of the word between two guys who wanted to fight and compete,” said Gunn.

“They called it barbaric they have no idea what they’re talking bout. Fighting bare knuckle is more of an art, your shots have to be more precise. You’re aiming for the body and a 3 inch window on your opponents face. When you wear gloves you don’t have to worry about hitting someone in the forehead where you can break your hand or hitting the guy in the teeth and hurting your hand. You’re punching scientifically trying to land straight shots, keeping your fist closed at all times. This was not some bar room brawl.” said Gunn.

A body shot ended the night for Gunn’s opponent on this night but for the “Celtic Warrior” his days of defending his bare knuckle title are just beginning. Gunn told Boxingtalk he already has plans to fly to Ireland and face James Quinn, known as the “King of the Gypsies” and the most well known and respected bare knuckle fighter in Europe. Quinn is even the subject of a documentary entitled Knuckle.

In the feature film Snatch, directed by Guy Ritchie, Quinn was the inspiration for the Brad Pitt character. Gunn says that in Europe bare knuckle boxing is a popular and respected sport. Gunn expects a very stiff challenge from the much heralded Quinn, but he is not worried or in awe. Gunn claims that he has never lost a bare knuckle contest himself, which includes over 70 fights, fought mostly in Canada.

“This sport can be as big as it is allowed to become. We had about 2000 people in the casino to watch this fight so I know there is an interest. People just need to be informed anyone who is a fight fan will watch. Am I worried about being black balled in boxing? I really don’t care. I’m doing something honest and legal. I’ve dealt with so much back door politics in boxing that it would turn anybody off.”

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