BOXING AT SEA
Charles Russo has ambitious plans to stage boxing on a boat while helping boxers and ex-boxers, writes Oliver Fennell
FOR as long as boxing has been a for-profit concern, the interests of the business have been put before those of the fighters.
New Yorker Charles Russo is looking to change this. The president of the BMMAFU (Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Fighters’ Union) insists he is on a mission to “fight for the rights of all combat athletes” – and can do so from a position unspoiled by a need to make money.
“Real estate is my primary business,” says Russo, 51. “That’s how I make my money. The union is strictly non-profit.
“I was brought into real estate by my father and grandfather. They owned properties that boxing promoters rented in New York since the 1960s. Because our properties hosted a lot of fight cards, we met a lot of fighters.
“I’ve never had a fight in my life. Never even sparred. But I love boxing and I know what injustices are being done to boxers.
“In 2013 I was approached at a fight card by a group of ex-pros who wanted to create a format to represent boxers. I started to think about it. I spoke with boxers about what needed to be done. I hired ex-board members from the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions). Eventually we decided to create a union. Every pro athlete is part of a union. MLB, NFL, NHL, even golfers and jockeys, but fighters don’t have one. How does this make sense?
“It took a few years but we got recognised by the government on November 5, 2019.”
The union claims to advocate for boxers in matters such as purse disputes and legal scrutiny of contracts. Furthermore, it wants to establish a global standard for safety, with measures such as handheld MRI scanners at ringside and post-weigh-in hydration patches.
It also “endorses” fight cards which involve union-registered boxers. But is signing competitive boxers to compete on Bmmafuendorsed cards not the same as promoting them, and wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest if so?
“No, I’m not a promoter or a manager,” says Russo. “I’m acting in the interests of the boxers.
“A matchmaker puts the card together and we endorse it for regulations. We make sure they follow the guidelines, that boxers get the union benefits. Our main concern is their health and that their families are looked after. They get healthcare and a retirement plan, life insurance and compensation fund programme.
“Boxers join the union for free. No fees, no dues, nothing. So long as their medical is not more than a year old and they are licensed by a reputable association, we put them on our books. We have 20,000 boxers from 53 countries.”
The BMMAFU is also concerned with the wellbeing of retired boxers, with its Harold Russo Recovery Project (named after Charles’ grandfather) helping them with accommodation arrangements and to find second trades.
“Legends still need an income,” says Russo, and cites his friendship with Riddick Bowe as an example.
“My relationship started with Bowe three years ago when BMMAFU was being talked about seriously as becoming a reality.
“Bowe was one of the legends who were struggling. We met on several occasions and became brothers. Currently, Bowe is doing guest appearances and motivational speaking.”
One such guest appearance will be on a groundbreaking BMMAFU “endorsed card” scheduled for May, when boxers past and present will gather with fans in a most unusual location – the middle of the ocean.
Part fight festival, part fan convention, “Boxing At Sea” will round up a group of fight fans, put them on a cruise ship along with a roll call of ex-champs, sail them out of Miami towards the Bahamas, and stage a couple of nights of pro boxing while riding the high seas.
“We’ll have a ‘Legends Night’, which is a virtual boxing event, then fight cards on the Friday and Saturday, and passengers can disembark in the Bahamas on the Sunday before we return on Monday,” says Russo.
The Legends Night will give fans a chance to “fight” the ex-champs via Boxing Apocalypse, a virtual reality game, wearing VR headsets and moving around a real boxing ring. Entry is via raffle, with proceeds going to the legends. Bowe is the headliner, with Junior Jones, Nate Campbell and Butterbean also confirmed, and more in negotiation.
“This isn’t your typical cruise,” says Russo. “It’s a big event for fight fans. There’ll be third-party entertainment, big franchises, even a fashion show with designers working with the legends to design attire that will be shown on the ship.
“It’s another way to help them make money. We wanted to make sure we took care of the legends.”
* Boxing At Sea will run from May 11-17. Covid-19 tests will be carried out prior to boarding. More information: www.boxers-union. com
‘WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. EVEN LEGENDS NEED AN INCOME’