There is a fighting style, known as 52 Blocks — according to Vice “…the term refers to a purported codified New York prison system-specific style of Jail House Boxing, aka Jail House Rock... The moves themselves supposedly reflect the prison environment. The idea is that the tight stances, lack of far-ranging movement, and emphasis on survival and defense were designed to function in the confines of a prison cell than a ring.” Defensively and offensively, the 52 never stops moving. The torso is constantly shifting and turning. The techniques have been handed down through word of mouth. So it’s history (much like many black histories) is a bit fuzzy. 52 Blocks scholar Daniel Marks, who first learned of the form from street savvy recruits while in the Army, refers in a brief monograph to the southern African American fighting of “Knocking and Kicking.” Frazier similarly connects Jail House Rock back to a “Virginia Scufflin” boxing practiced by slaves in the 1800s. The existence of enslaved bare knuckle boxers—like the famous Tom Molineaux—who were forced to fight for their masters’ entertainment, is documented in other sources, including the foundational early-1800s prize fighting account, Boxiana. Marks and Frazier both connect Southern African American fighting styles back to African martial arts, such as Hausa Boxing (also known as Dambe) in Nigeria.
enemies too.