STREET CLASHES WERE PLEASANT SURPRISE
Kimbo Slice Had YouTube Start
Hayward, CA– On my way home from King’s Gym recently, I saw a street fight that pitted two guys who looked as if they knew how to fight. They were going back and forth, hands were up, both using their jabs and taking good shots.
PARKED & WATCHED BY THE TACO TRUCK
After the skirmish, the two men shook hands, embraced and went their separate ways. At first, I didn’t realize what I had just witnessed until realizing both participants got paid. This fight was “street” sanctioned and the rules agreed to beforehand were: No ground fighting, kicking, butting, biting or low blows. If you knock your opponent down, he/she is allowed to get up.
EAST COAST WOMAN BEAT UP MEN
Street fights have grown in popularity to the point where one video on a YouTube.com-like forum did over 3 million views. And these are not relegated to one sex as “one on one” female fights are part of the carnival-like clashes. There was one YouTube clash that pitted man versus a woman.
CURRENT TEENAGERS COMBINE FIGHTS WITH SIDESHOWS
Having asked one of the seasoned (old) writers here at RingTalk.com what he knew about these fights, I was referred to a contact in Berkeley, CA. I called three numbers, two were disconnected and third went to Google voice mail where I left a message.
TEXT MESSAGE FROM BLANK SOURCE ARRIVES
Seeing I don’t train on Fridays, it’s a lazy day. With sparring set for Saturday at noon, I’m half asleep watching Roberto Duran fights on my PC when I get this blank text indicating a time and place. When I got to the intersection in the industrial area of an Alameda County city, it was bare.
FIGHTS NOT HELD ON MAIN ST.
Being a tad paranoid, thinking this might be some set up and I was about to be robbed or worse. Refusing to stop in this darkened area, I cruised the area for a couple minutes. Five minutes later, another text arrived with nothing but an address in an adjoining city.
SIDESHOWS ARE SIDESHOWS FOR FIGHTS
Arriving at the location which turned out to be a park in this East Bay college town, the fights, three were already made. One guy took action on one fighter, the other took bets for the other. Whomever scores the most knockdowns wins the fight.
FIVE MINUTE FIGHTS ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT CARD
Two of the eight fighters I watched were skilled, had mouthpieces and were well conditioned. They both easily won their bouts in dominant fashion. The third fight, pitting two men sans any fighting ability stood and threw hands. A fourth bout was called at the 3:00 mark when the fighter vomited after a body shot.
FIGHTS BETTER THAN SOME ESPN MATCHES
Back in my car 37 minutes later, I thought the show was entertaining. Four-five minute fights, nobody was seriously hurt, the area was cleaned up and when I drove by the next day, there was no evidence indicating fights had taken place there the night before.
ANOTHER DON KING IN THE MAKING?
There was one guy who seemed to be in control. Promoter, matchmaker, ring announcer and referee, he wore a lot of hats. With a Lieutenant supervising the betting and payoffs, this “G” seemed to have everything under control. I wanted to approach him, but a mentor told me prior to leaving to “not ask questions.” A week removed, the fights were not bad!
A. Hanlett
ORGANIZED STREET BOXING “THE NEW RAGE”