"Ko" Fighting Show in Guangzhou
By admin on 2014-12-19

If you happen to pass the Tianhe Sports Center on a Saturday night you might be surprised by what you see, as two bare-chested men fight one another on a large stage to the boisterous cheers of local youth.

The top female fighter Liao Wen (R) on the field

 
The kids are cheering at a "KO" fight, a new kind of wrestling that is becoming increasingly popular in Guangzhou. "KO" is short for "Knock Out," where there are no rounds or scoring, and victory is determined by knock-down, disqualification or draw. A fighter can attack his opponent using his fists, elbows, knees, legs or feet, but any blow to the throat, crotch or back of the head is forbidden.

Guangzhou currently has one KO club with ten professional boxers, three of which come from Thailand. Experienced fighters provide training there for the up-and-coming, and the most promising students are entered into domestic wrestling competitions to win cash prizes.

Every Saturday night an open match is held by the KO club at the Tianhe Sports Center, where competitors can include club members as well as challengers from outside. Winners could receive a monetary reward.

Many of the boxers come from Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau to fight in the Guangzhou arena.