‘Senseis, Bars and Scars’

The anarchic lifestyle of a patron boxing fighter

Words by Carson Rich

In the realm of literature, there are certain works that not only entertain but also enlighten, offering readers a glimpse into the intricacies of human experience. Such content is found in “Senseis, Bars, and Scars: My Crazy Teenage Journey Through Florida’s Nightclub Boxing Scene,” written by Robert Ingram and Louis Martin. In the book, Ingram takes us through his early life in the Jacksonville patron boxing scene (aka nightclub boxing) and the chaotic nature of what he went through on a day-to-day basis. 

Patron boxing can be described as an impromptu line-up of boxing matches that allows anyone to step into the ring at their own will. Multiple clubs around Jacksonville were in the mix, creating theme nights and generating large crowds to come and watch locals battle it out for their own glory. Ingram became involved himself around the age of 14 with his martial arts instructor as the referee for all of the events. Ingram would usually help out with the martial arts demonstrations, waiting for the time to come when he was able to step into the ring. 

Demonstrations typically meant that the instructors and fighters would put on a show for the audience that included a martial arts routine — to show a variety of talents other than just hand to hand combat. One of these nights, Ingram’s instructor was called to do a demonstration that used fire for part of their theme night. In a horrific accident, some of the lighter fluid was spilled into the ring, setting part of it ablaze. While a few people came over to help stomp out the flames, one of them knocked over a pan of kerosene onto Ingram’s instructor, covering his whole body in bright heat that almost touched the ceiling. Doing fire demonstrations was not a common thing for everyone at Club 5, as most included lights and nunchuck shows, but this was surely the last out of respect for the fluke accident that occurred that night.

“I mean, we can talk about how much it was an accident, of course, it was, but at the same time, you know, that kind of drills into you a little bit,” said Ingram. 

A year after the incident, Ingram, 15 at the time, started involving himself in the ring, not only to help with everything, but as a fighter this time. After moving on from what happened previously, the clubs wanted to keep things fresh and moving along, so they started two-on-two boxing matches for fighters who wanted more action. During this time, weight classes almost did not exist. If two fighters decided that they wanted to sign up, they would let them. Brutal battles of mayhem flooded these clubs as four strangers were trying to come out on top with bragging rights for the night. These men that stepped into the ring were not just looking for new reasons to fight someone, but for the addiction of the game itself. The patron boxing scene had a very unique sense of popularity, as people naturally filled the seats out of their own curiosity and craving for new entertainment, which is exactly what this presented.

In his book, Ingram also explains how everyone shared the same understanding of the unwritten rules of patron boxing. Everyone was up for grabs, no matter the size or experience that one might have. He details one story about a very intoxicated individual who was just looking for a face to punch. After picking fights with everyone backstage and causing a giant scene, the instructors decided that they would let him prove himself in the ring to prevent any actual harm or assault on people who were not fighters. I won’t spoil what happens next, but just know that he got what he was looking for. 

This compilation of short stories may come off as barbaric, but the fights were actually very organized for quite some time. It was not until later that this would all change. After a few more freak accidents that even involved a death at another nightclub, the legislation on how patron boxing could be run was changed. New rules were set in place to diminish some of the harsh, loose parts of the system that everyone loved to see. These new regulations set out to ensure that everything that was happening was safe, and in an ethical manner for the sport of boxing. Beforehand, there were nightclubs who did not pay much attention to the safety aspect of the fights, such as the sturdiness of the ring or even what it was made out of. There was also a lack of safety equipment used with the fighters that made it a lot more dangerous for anyone signing up. 

The legal system affected the patron boxing scene in a massive way, ridding it of the old habits and rules that used to be in place. Patron boxing is still alive today but on a much smaller scale and definitely not at the level or intensity that Robert Ingram was introduced to at such a young age. After 26 years of being involved in martial arts, Ingram is now taking the knowledge that he gained at an early age to do good. Through his brand McDojo Life, he and his team work to call out the frauds, conmen, pedophiles and cults that live deep within the industry he was so much a part of. “Senseis, Bars and Scars” takes a deep dive into his lifestyle and the vicious things he has laid eyes on, making him the person he is today.