[jessefan]

QUOTE

"It gives the soldiers a chance to let out their frustrations," he said. "It gives them a good workout, too."

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Te...r&Story=5848153

By Kevin Maurer
Staff writer



BAGHDAD, Iraq - The chant of "G-Bone" was deafening as an 82nd Airborne Division cook and a National Guard military policeman stood toe to toe throwing wild punches Friday night.


Staff photos by Steve Hebert
Pfc. Alexander 'G-Bone' Gerbolini is lifted by Staff Sgt. Christopher Farinella after the third round of a Friday night fight in the chow hall of the 2nd Brigade support area in Baghdad, Iraq. The fight was judged to be a draw.
Each of the fighters seemed to teeter between blows, dangerously close to falling down. But before either could throw the deciding punch, a horn sounded, ending the most exciting boxing match of the night.

The fight was judged a draw, but Pfc. Alexander "G-Bone" Gerbolini was still mobbed by people from his unit as he danced around the ring, Rocky Balboa-style. Gerbolini is a cook with the 407th Forward Support Battalion.

His opponent, Spc. Stephen Register, just stood in his corner and watched as Gerbolini celebrated. Register is a military policeman from Tennessee.

Friday night is fight night for paratroopers in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team stationed in Iraq. About 300 soldiers crowded around a makeshift ring Friday to watch six bouts.


Staff photo by Steve Hebert
A soldier weighs in before a fight.
The fights are held in the brigade's supply area dining facility. Soldiers bring nonalcoholic beer and snacks and sit in dining hall chairs around the ring. Others stand on boxes or the trailer that cooks use to serve food.

The ring is made with four tent poles. Tape is used for the ropes. The setup looks like it's for an underground bare-knuckle fight.

Most of the boxers have little experience. But what the fighters lack in skill, they make up for in enthusiasm.

Each bout goes for three, one-minute rounds. The fighters wear headgear and either a brown or gray T-shirt and black Army shorts. Some soldiers wear their unit T-shirts. Three judges, usually senior noncommissioned officers from 2nd Brigade, score each fight.


Staff photo by Steve hebert
Ring girl Pfc. Agnieszka Harris of the 82nd Soldier Support Battalion signals the start of a round.
Fight night is open to male and female soldiers. On Aug. 22, four women fought in two bouts.


First time out

Spc. Vladimir Mazara had never boxed before Friday. He won his fight by technical knockout in the first round. After landing two combinations, Mazara bloodied Spc. Matthew Navgher's nose and the fight was called.

Mazara appeared to know how to handle himself in the ring. He attributed his skill to his heritage.

"I'm Dominican," he said. "We have a lot of fighters. I just watched what they did."

He had no plans to fight again.


Staff photo by Steve Hebert
Hundreds of soldiers turn out Friday night to watch one of six six bouts in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team supply area dining facility.
"I don't like boxing," he said. "I am a nice guy."

Staff Sgt. Derrick Davis is the brigade's Don King. He organizes the event.

Fight night started as just a few paratroopers getting together to spar in the evenings. After a while, people started to come out to watch. On Aug. 22, Davis held the first official fight night and 350 paratroopers showed up to watch.

"This is the best event we have at the (brigade supply area). It is something to do on a Friday night than just sit in our rooms and watch TV," Davis said.

After the first official fight night, Davis was flooded with names of soldiers who wanted to take part. Davis wants to keep fight night a regular event.

"As long as we can get people to keep fighting. We want to make this something," he said.


Staff photo by Steve Hebert
Spectators cheer on their favorites as they duke it out in the ring.
He hopes that by the end of the deployment there will be a champion.

"This is serious boxing," he said.

So serious, the fights even have ring girls, including Spc. Marritsa Collins, a clerk assigned to the 407th Forward Support Battalion. She said it is the biggest event at the camp.

"This really boosts morale for the soldiers. Everybody looks forward to Fridays," she said.


Big fan

Staff Sgt. Travis Arrington, a cook with 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, is a boxing fan. He sat on the cooks' trailer, which is used to serve food during breakfast and lunch. It is high enough to see over the crowd into the ring. As the bouts played out, he provided commentary.


Pfc. Rayon Cunningham, his unit mate in 2nd Battalion, had a devastating right hand that was knocking Pfc. Brian Gladney back every time it connected.

"If he had a jab, he could set up that right hand," Arrington said.

Arrington has attended both fight nights. He applauded the command for sanctioning them.

"It gives the soldiers a chance to let out their frustrations," he said. "It gives them a good workout, too."