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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Thomas Hauser

From Ali to the Bayonne Bleeder: a brief history of heavyweight boxing’s battle scars

Henry Cooper and Muhammad Ali during their title fight in May 1966. In their previous meeting in 1963, cuts ended Cooper’s figh
Henry Cooper and Muhammad Ali during their title fight in May 1966. In their previous meeting in 1963, cuts ended Cooper’s fight. Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Let’s say you’re going about your business and get whacked in the head. Blood is pouring from a wound above one of your eyes. You stop what you’re doing and go to the hospital to get stitched up, right?

Not if your business is fighting. If you’re a professional boxer, you’re likely to be told “it’s only blood.” And then you continue to get hit.

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