From the Travels of MR. JOHN PALMER, in 1817, through the United States of America, and Lower Canada. " From the rascality and quarrelsome behaviour of a few of the Kentucky men, the whole people have got a very bad character amongst the sister states, especially for blackguardism, and their manner of fighting, when intoxicated; but this is certainly confined to the lowest, and is optional to the fighters. The question is generally asked-'-' Will you fight fair, or take it rough and tumble ? I can whip you either way. By G — d!' The English reader knows what fair fighting is but can have little idea of rough and tumble; in the latter case, the combatants take advantage, pull, bite, and kick, and with hellish ferocity strive to gouge, or turn each other's eyes out of their sockets. I never saw a gouging match, and though often of necessity in the lowest company, never had any one offer to do me that favour. I believe it is not so common by any means as is represented. I saw but two men who had been injured by this method of fighting — one had almost lost an eye, and the other, a free negro, was nearly or totally sightless. They both lived on the banks of the Ohio, where this dreadful art is most practised ; it was introduced from the Southern states. There certainly ought to be a strong law enacted to prevent a resort to so brutal a practice ; surely it is a disgrace and stigma to the legislature. Prize-boxing is unknown in the United States." Louie
As one who scoffs at competitions where gouging etc is disallowed, this is... well, I don't know. One one hand it shows the limits of the ring; on the other it makes me see how you gotta be able to have some fun somehow, and why not water it down a little to get that fun. Arguably, it takes more time to train for the ring, which is interesting. Better than watching football IMO. Fighting hurts; it's not funny and it has serious consequences. Who said, "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye - then it's just fun"?
