Various things wrong in barbaric boxing clubs (4-1-4)
I believe the answer is:
bric-a-brac
'various things wrong' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'barbaric boxing clubs' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'barbaric' is 'bricabra' which is within the answer.
'clubs' could be 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge) and 'c' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bric-a-brac that I've seen before include "Old curiosities" , "Miscellaneous small ornaments" , "Treasured odds and ends" , "Knick-knacks" , "Miscellaneous small objects, especially curios" .)