We are breaking fight club rules one and two.
The Post got a first-hand look at Rumble in the Bronx (RBX), an underground promotion that makes money on amateur bloodlust, booze and erotic dancers — which organizers say doubles of a community safety project.
“I’m not a big fan of people fighting, but it was pretty well orchestrated,” said Penny Lee, a professional webcammer who twerked between rounds as audience members rained down wads of singles. “It was a cool and safe environment.”
Whether it’s a deli, a self-storage pod, or the back of an 18-wheeler, the secret locations of RBX shows are constantly changing. The most recent location was a Hunts Point junkyard where security checked IDs and patted people down for weapons.
Weed dealers were invited inside to sell strains called Alien Breath, Jelly Donut and Captain Cake. A minibus-short merchandising station was selling RBX T-shirts. A local woman provided chicken and cheeseburger empanadas for $5 each.
Flatbed trucks became makeshift VIP sections where high rollers ordered hookahs and bottles of Don Julio for $300.
RBX Chef “Killa” Mike Roman handed out 30 pies donated by Bruckner Pizza, who proudly sponsored the event along with The Print Lab and the Diamond Club strip club.
“It’s about the community,” said Bruckner Pizza owner Oscar, who did not provide his last name. “I thought it was a good cause to give back to.”
Metal barricades with pool noodles wrapped around the bars as padding made up the ‘ring’. Instead of canvas flooring, they used puzzle-shaped foam mats.
The rookie fighters – some wearing jeans – relied more on heart and hay than technique as more than 100 enraged fans cheered and shouted “Fk him up!”
Roman poked fun at the tied up fighters saying, “If you wanna kiss somebody, kiss your girl after the game!” When a boxer’s weave fell off, he put it on and strutted around the ring in a fit of laughter.
DJ Shadow played G-Unit’s “I Smelly P—-y” for those who threw in the towel.
When the fights went to the end – three three-minute rounds – the winner was chosen by whoever received the most applause, and Roman always made sure to praise both fighters as “true ganstas” and “warriors.” “.
Charles “Kanye West” Woods won the first game of the night. After 15 minutes of back and forth filled with combos, uppercuts and jabs, he and his opponent hugged.
“It seemed like a great way to test myself out and maybe go viral,” Woods said. “I would have liked to have done better, but I’m happy with the victory.”
After a random callout, which is encouraged, an overzealous murderer nicknamed “The Cuban Sandwich”, allowed his opponent free chin shots, resulting in a bloody, broken nose.
“I only had one serious injury, but that was because one guy tried to bite another guy, like real Mike Tyson stuff,” Roman said.
Fans ranging from truckers and construction workers to artists and social media personalities see RBX as entertainment you won’t find anywhere else.
“It’s better than relaxing at home or in the neighborhood,” said Jonas Leon, who works as a sound producer. “It’s a fun time, and you never know what’s going to happen, but I also use it to network. Killa Mike is doing something positive. They are good people.
Despite all the Borough’s support, RBX is illegal.
RBX is not sanctioned by the state Athletic Commission, which aims to protect fighters from corrupt practices.
“In addition to potentially serious public health and safety issues, staging underground fights has both criminal and civil consequences,” the agency said.
Martin Snow, who runs Trinity Boxing Club in Tribeca, said it was a recipe for disaster.
“Running a legitimate club these days isn’t easy, and it’s not cheap, but it’s necessary,” he said. “For people who take shortcuts, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed.”
Roman, who said RBX’s motto is “Guns Down, Gloves Up,” insisted his goal was to punch gun violence and crush personal feuds.
“Alcohol, smoking, girls – that’s all people gravitate towards,” he said.
“I’ve done activism before and walked around with signs saying ‘Stop Shooting,’ but it only gets attention from nonprofits and government, not people who might take gun.”
GB2
