Fight Night is a highly popular student tradition in which two students train for 8 weeks and are put to the fight in front of their peers. However, the philosopher in me just loves to ask questions – and annoying ones at that. Does Fight Night glorify violence? Or is it instead a celebration of student talent and discipline? Or am I just overthinking it all – and it’s simply an excuse for another Sports night out with a few too many pints of Tenants.
I think that Fight Night is a celebration of student talent and an example of the vast, amazing opportunities to take hold of whilst at university. The 8-week training period offered for students is completely free of charge, so it encourages students to give a new hobby a try! And training for Fight Night is no simple task. It demonstrates great discipline, persistence, courage, and risk-taking. For many outsiders to the sport, it may seem to appear gratuitous – glorifying masculinity and violence. However, for many who dip their toes into the sport, the so-called “violence” provides a refuge, and almost paradoxical peace and clarity. Plus, it builds a sense of community at the University.
Recent media presentations of physical fighting may feed into this disapproval of ring-fighting, with farcical televised matches like that between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson nothing more than a glorified social media stunt. Furthermore, films often glamorise masculine violence with the recent release of the Gladiator II being one such example.
Potentially, media critics could say that violent retaliation is presented as a quick and hassle-free way of gaining respect. Masculinised words such as “warrior” and “gladiator” emphasise an individuals bravery, where as terms such as “girl” emphasise cowardly behaviour within the ring. However, Fight Night at the university does not tolerate such assumptions and encourages lots of young women to participate in the sport.
Fight Night is fun! It brings people together and gives students an opportunity to find a new passion. Violence is controlled and mediated, and is used as an outlet for releasing stress (and trust me – with finals season fast approaching – students will definitely benefit from a new stress outlet!). If I ever spot an empty desk at the library at the same time as one of the fighters, you best believe that the desk is theirs – I can keep walking!
“Erislandy Lara vs. Carlos Molina at Fight Night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas” by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.