‘Fight club’ fad hits Florida

A new illegal activity, apparently based on the movie Fight Club, has hit the streets of Florida on the West Rand: underground boxing.

In a short video interview with one participant, a voice could be heard instructing the fighter on the rules, which allegedly boil down to “boxing only” and “the first fighter to go down loses”.

Youngsters allegedly participated in the most recent event, which took place on January 31, in Fifth Avenue.

The organisers went as far as closing off the street.

It is also alleged that spectators bet on the outcome of the fights.

The chairperson of Florida Community Policing Forum (CPF), Riaz Jogee, told the Roodepoort Record he was aware of the event and is currently “engaging with the organisers”. He said the organisers want to find premises to “legitimise” the fighting.

Jogee said neither him, nor the CPF, condone the activity.

Florida police spokesperson Captain Lydia Dikolomelo said she is aware of the fad and will first investigate it before commenting.

One movie website describes Fight Club as: “an underground club with strict rules”.

The movie, starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norten, has acquired cult status across the world. – Caxton News Service Killarney Gazette,