How do authorities harness the enthusiasm and passion to make these community boxing bouts safer without taking the element of fun out of it?
This was the question posed by Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis when asked to share his thoughts on the sudden increase in unofficial boxing bouts in some local communities in the height of a pandemic.
For the past month, viral videos showing young men punching it out in makeshift rings have been the hype of social media. So much so, even soca artistes and other entertainers have also jumped in on the craze 'calling out' and challenging others to step into the ring for a mini-bout.
Since the pandemic hit in mid-March last year, sports, particularly contact sports, remain banned to curb the spread of covid19.
Of recent, these unofficial boxing bouts have been drawing scores of people to varying locations to catch a glimpse of the action.
But the majority of spectators are seen without masks and not practising social distancing; thus making these events a possible recipe for a covid19 super spreader event.
While there may be athletic merit in it, Lewis believes they should not be seen solely or only as a source of boxing talent. According to him, it's much more than that.
'How much does it have to do with a little boredom or looking for an activity to do? The fact that you have youth and young people prepared to hit it out. You have to see it for what it is. It is part of the covid19 fatigue that they have to find alternative activities and they're boxing.
'That alone provides a signal and opportunity. The challenge that the authorities will now face is how do we harness that enthusiasm and passion and make it safer but not take the element of fun out of it,' he said.
Some people pass time by reading a book, watching television, using the computer or even going outdoors. But with beaches, rivers and even recreational contact sports still prohibited owing to government regulations, Lewis sees these bouts as one way for people to relax with a new form of 'entertainment'.
Putting structure to these events by adding referees and other elements may defeat its purpose.
'The challenge is to be able to harness it but even though you're (intent on) putting structure to it, it's about making it safe fun. I would use the word safe sparring.
'The formalistic structure with a referee and other necessities, I don't know whether this is an activity at this point in time. It also requires engagement of the community stakeholders,' he added.
Sea Lots is one of the communities which has embraced and may have even started these random boxing matches. On Sunday however, a team of police from the Port of Spain Division arrested six people for being part of the unofficial event.
The police even traded fire with someone who they say shot in their direction while making these arrests on Sunday.
On September 14, the Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) said
