Cage-fighting huge hit in the Bay
A first of its kind for PE, last night’s cage-fighting was a sold-out event
IT is the literal embodiment of the term “blood, sweat and tears” and last night Port Elizabethans filled the Feather Market Centre to watch professional cage-fighting – the first of its kind for the city. With the foreboding label as the world’s most barbaric and brutal contact sport, fighters were locked inside a special R70 000 metal cage.
Fans got behind the fighters by cheering every punch, takedown and body blow, but admitted they would never consider entering the cage themselves.
Charnel Moodley, of Sherwood, said she enjoyed the spectacle. “It is actually my first time watching the sport and it is quite fun. My husband got VIP tickets so I was accompanying him. It would be crazy for him [her husband] to be one of the fighters. I would not want that,” Moodley said.
Lovemore Heights brothers, Michael Kril and Carlo Bam, both 13, said despite enjoying watching the fighters, they would not try cage-fighting themselves.
“It is pretty awesome. The fighters are fit and they hit very hard. The event was also very well organised. It is definitely cooler than I thought it would be.
“But, I am not that brave to be a cage-fighter. I have small arms,” Michael said. Carlo agreed. “It was very cool, but I would never do it. You have to be fit. It is a very hard sport. I want to be a tennis player,” he said.
Organiser Steve Jefferson said they were pleased with the turnout.
“We were sold out and we are very happy about that. We put in a lot of hard work to promote and make it a very exciting evening.
“We are also planning four to six events in Port Elizabeth and around the country. We also want to bring in a lot of international fighters from Brazil.
“The event catered for all spectators,” Jefferson said.
Cage-side tickets cost R250, while terrace seating cost R200 and general seating R120.