Source: Radio New Zealand
The gloves are coming off for the next instalment of Dan Hooker’s “1 Minute Scraps”. youtube
Police are monitoring a bare-knuckle fighting event in Christchurch organised by MMA professional fighter Dan Hooker.
The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently, telling hopefuls the event “is gonna scrap the gloves, we’re going bare-knuckle”.
A $50,000 prize was on offer for the winner with each combatant getting $1000 and $5000 available for each knockout.
Hooker told The Rock FM‘s Morning Rumble he had chosen the city for Sunday’s event because “I believe Christchurch has the craziest people”.
“We had thousands of people try to enter this. This excites me as a fighter,” he said.
The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently. STEVEN MARKHAM
Backyard-style fights have previously attracted backlash from some people involved in combat sports with the Boxing Coaches Association labelling it “straight-out thuggery“.
Following the criticism, Hooker told online combat sport programme the Ariel Helwani Show that, “there’s a few lefties having a sulk”.
“Since when did putting gloves on in the backyard and having a punch up become illegal?” Since when is that a crime?” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said police were aware of the event.
“We have spoken with the organisers of the event, who have been cooperative, and confirmed they are running a lawful event which they have done previously,” he said.
“Police monitored previous events run by these organisers and had no issues. However, we will continue to monitor such events, and anyone found to be participating in unlawful or antisocial behaviour should expect to be held to account for their actions.
“If anyone witnesses any concerning or antisocial behaviour is urged to call 111 in an emergency, or 105 to report non-urgent information.”
Hooker had promised to run more events in the future and said his plans for the next one “gets even more wild”.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
