Jones pulling no punches over gang boxing event

Pseudo boxing events between rival gangs will be outlawed by NZ First, with candidate Shane Jones calling out gangs for what he said amounted to a ‘‘recruitment drive’’. Jones is pledging changes to the Boxing and Wrestling Act following a weekend bout, which drew gangs from across New Zealand to duke it out in the ring under the premise of keeping the violence off the streets. All boxing events must obtain a permit to be held, but the act does not cover mixed martial arts.