This was the most dangerous of all the events. It had fewer restrictions than modern boxing. The contestants hands were bound with leather thongs. They were free to hit as they chose. Only gouging with the thumb was forbidden. The contests lasted until there was a knockout. They lasted for hours and sometimes resulted in death. In such cases the prize was awarded to the dead man. The opponent was banned for life. Their faces were so damaged that their profession became the byword for ugliness.