In Amarillo, a brass knuckles match meant one thing: a bloody brawl. You wouldn't see a host of scientific moves or graceful acrobatics on display. Rather, two combatants with taped fists would square off in a bout where closed-fisted punches were legal and proceed to pound the hell out of each other. Sometimes the bout would have a series of rounds like a boxing match. On other occasions the match would have no time limit. A brass knuckles match was often booked to settle or enhance a feud. The participants were the toughest of the tough.

The brass knuckles belt in Amarillo was spectacular. In addition to having a prominent identifying plate at the buckle, several pairs of brass knuckles were attached to the leather waistband. The list of champions reads like a hall of fame roster from the territory: Dory Funk, Sr., Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk, Cyclone Negro, Dick Murdoch, Thunderbolt Patterson, Killer Karl Kox, Ray Stevens, etc. For current fans, I would compare it to the hardcore title. However, I would assert that the brass knucks belt in Amarillo had more significance.

I'm not sure about the origins of the match. If anyone knows, post a message on the board. I assume it was a match created to cater to those fans who felt boxing had been emasculated by the introduction of gloves. I'm also unsure of the first champion in Amarillo. Again, anyone who knows, post a message. In the book Wrestling Title Histories, Duncan and Will's first entry for the belt is Thunderbolt Patterson in October, 1967.