Crowds flock street boxing Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter Leo, the undisputed champion at Thursday Night at The Fights Residents of Denham Town in west Kingston have found a unique way to entertain themselves and build unity that was once unheard of in the community. 'Thursday Night at the Fights' has become a weekly event since its first staging in January. It showcases peace, unity and, as the name depicts, boxing skills. Each week, from as early as 8 p.m., a large crowd gathers to witness boxing matches in a makeshift ring in the middle of the road. These amateur matches feature just about anyone, even six-year-old boys and teenage girls. While some of the fights are just for fun, there are others that get a bit more serious and even draw *lo**. When THE STAR visited the community last Thursday at 8:30 p.m., there were several persons already lining the street for the early rounds. Music, refreshment, a popcorn machine and even fireworks assisted in creating the atmosphere of a true sporting event. Kiddie boxers One teen gives the other a right jab. - Dwayne McLeod photos Children were already competitively throwing punches at each other inside the makeshift ring made from four half-cut drums with steel pipes sticking out of each, positioned to form a square and linked with a rope. While the toddlers, dressed in red gloves, slugged it out, the spectators cheered them on. To make things even more interesting, the matches are energised by humorous 'ring announcers' who provide blow-by-blow commentary with a twist. They 'crack' regular jokes at the fighters and tag the fights with interesting names such as 'Mackerel vs Bully Beef'. For those who wish not to get too close to the action, rooftops are seemingly the next-best alternative. In one of the early bouts, two sisters took to the ring and acted on their so-called 'dislike' for each other. "Me nuh like har," one sister jokingly said before the other replied. "But me nuh like you either." It was then up to the fists to do the rest of the talking. Thursday Night at The Fights began as a community initiative, but there are now persons travelling from as far as Portmore, St Catherine, to witness the spectacle. Elvis, one of the promoters, told THE STAR that the event has been growing in popularity. "People from all bout come .... Look how much car park pon di side, dem people deh nuh come from roun yah ... All police and soldier come watch, more time," he said. While some persons watch the events for fun, there are those who use them to make money. Some of the fights attract bets. "Yea man, more time all some nice bet run .... Last week all $40,000 bet run," Howayne, another promoter, said. 'Leo', who has been dubbed the undisputed champion of the event, has been attracting some handsome bets. Weighing in at 160 pounds and standing six feet four inches tall, Leo humbly attributes his six-match undefeated run to a powerful right hand, skill and the heart of a lion. While THE STAR watched one of the earlier fights, Greg, a resident, pointed out: "Unnu nuh see nuttin yet. Yuh have one big, thick bredda name Leo. Di man bad like AIDS ... Nuttin cyaa beat di man." General secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Board of control, Leroy Brown, hailed the idea of the event even though he said the board is not aware of it. Brown said there had been moves to promote the sport in inner-city communities. "It sounds good, great idea," he said before stating that the board has hosted boxing cards in Boys' Town and St Ann's Bay. "We would support anything that would get the sport into the communities in a positive way." Similarly, the police say they, too, are in support of the event. Acting crime chief for Area Four, Deputy Superintendent Michael Ellis, told THE STAR he has heard of the event and said "It's not a bad idea ... It's a good move as long as the intentions are what they claim it to be." Amidst all the physical display there is huge issue of safety. Although there hasn't been any reported cases of serious injury, the promoters and boxers say they would appreciate some aid in building a safer ring and a ringside setting. Elvis said that in order to make for a safer boxing experience, for both competitors and spectators alike, there is a current need for plywood, sponge, and some benches. The crowd watches as two teens do battle in one of the bouts. Sports doctor and orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Paul Wright, told THE STAR that although it might seem strange, boxing without gloves is now being looked at as a safer venture. "There are less severe injuries with that type of boxing. The injuries would more be to the deliverer of the blows, in terms of cuts and lacerations. If you watch extreme boxing tv, you'll see that they just cover the knuckles," he said. He said boxing with gloves, especially the tougher types, poses a greater risk to the person receiving the blows. He, however, warned that children engaging in this activity could be hurt and inside their mouths "could be cut to pieces". *lo** flows from the eye of one of the fighters.