Bare-knuckle

Abstract

[EN] To exhibit the metaphor of bare-knuckle fighting or "a puño limpio" as a lens through which Puerto Rican cultural identity and resistance are understood, focusing on the intersections of sport, art, architecture, feminism, and activism. Drawing on the work of Chicano feminist and cultural theorist Gloria Anzaldúa, the metaphor of "making face" reflects how boxing is emblematic of identity construction and resistance. Boxing, a national sport in Puerto Rico, symbolizes the endurance and opposition of the Puerto Rican people, offering a vivid illustration of resilience both in the ring and in broader socio-political contexts.