You’re standing in a dimly lit, dusty room. Sweat is stinging your eyes. Across from you is a guy who looks like he could bench press a small car. This isn't your typical archeology trip. This is the indiana jones boxing ring, a brutal, bare-knuckle surprise that has players of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle either cheering or throwing their controllers across the room.
Honestly, it caught most of us off guard. We expected whips. We expected puzzles. We didn't necessarily expect to be playing a high-stakes version of Fight Club in the basement of the Vatican.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Indiana Jones Boxing Ring
A lot of folks assume these underground fights are just a repetitive mini-game. They aren't. They’re actually crucial side quests hidden throughout the game’s major hubs—like the Vatican, Gizeh, and Sukhothai.
Each ring is a gatekept club. You can't just walk in wearing your fedora and a "please don't punch me" expression. You’ve gotta dress the part.
Take the Vatican, for instance. To get into that specific indiana jones boxing ring, you have to track down a Blackshirt Uniform. It’s tucked away in a small washing tent encampment. If you show up in your civilian clothes, the bouncer basically laughs in your face.
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Once you’re in, the rules are simple but mean:
- No weapons. No whip. No Revolver.
- Three rounds.
- Each opponent is bigger and meaner than the last.
- You win cash and, more importantly, Adventure Books that unlock permanent brawling skills.
The difficulty spike in these rings is real. You’ll find yourself eating apples and bread like a competitive eater just to keep your health bar from evaporating.
Why the Flying Wing Fight Started It All
You can't talk about Indy and a "ring" without looking back at Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the game gives us actual ropes and referees, the cinematic DNA comes from the 1981 airstrip fight.
That wasn't a boxing ring, but it felt like one. The "arena" was the dirt under the wing of a Nazi experimental aircraft. The opponent? Pat Roach, a real-life British heavyweight wrestling champion.
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Roach was a beast. He’s the only actor to die twice in the same movie (he also played the giant Sherpa in the Nepal bar fight). That scene set the tone for Indiana Jones: he’s not a master martial artist. He’s a brawler. He gets hit. He bleeds. He wins because he’s scrappier, not because he’s stronger.
The indiana jones boxing ring in The Great Circle captures that "desperate struggle" perfectly. You aren't doing flashy combos. You are parrying for your life.
Survival Tips for the Underground Rings
If you’re struggling with the Bruiser Pit in Sukhothai or the Giza fights, you’re likely being too aggressive. This isn't a button-masher.
- The Bandage Trick: Most players miss this, but there is usually an infinite bandage dispenser right next to the fight organizer. Use it between every single round. It’s free.
- Parry or Die: The game has a "Perfect Parry" mechanic. If you miss the timing on the third fighter in any ring, he will essentially two-shot you. If you’re really struggling, check the settings—there is an "Always Parry" accessibility option, though it still drains your stamina.
- The "Brawler" Skill Book: Do not attempt the final ring in Sukhothai without leveling up your brawling stats. The enemies there have a ridiculous amount of poise.
The Giza ring is particularly hilarious because of the "Fat Nazi" fighter who has a swastika flag literally tucked into his waistband. It’s that sort of weird, period-accurate detail that makes the indiana jones boxing ring feel like a living part of the world rather than a tacked-on feature.
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The Actionable Truth
These rings aren't just for show. They are the fastest way to get the "Brawler" and "Pep" adventure books. If you ignore them, the later stealth sections become a nightmare because you won't have the stamina to take down guards quickly when things go sideways.
Search the edges of the maps. Look for the large wooden doors with the sliding eye-slots. Dress up, eat your bread, and get ready to catch a left hook.
To master the combat, start by practicing your parry timing on low-level street guards before entering the Vatican ring. Once you've secured the Blackshirt Uniform, clear the first two fights to earn enough cash for the "Health Upgrade" book sold by the ring's merchant. This investment makes the final "Bruiser" fight significantly more forgiving.