Float Like a Butterfly in Key West

Professional boxers have earned a special type of respect. While we tend to avoid physical confrontations at all costs, they willingly walk into a roped-off square and order a can of whoop-ass. Yes, there’s a referee to make sure things don’t get too ugly, but we’re more comfortable outside the...

By Raina McLeod

January 17, 2008

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Professional boxers have earned a special type of respect. While we tend to avoid physical confrontations at all costs, they willingly walk into a roped-off square and order a can of whoop-ass. Yes, there’s a referee to make sure things don’t get too ugly, but we’re more comfortable outside the ring. Which is why we’ll be at tonight’s Fight Night in the Keys, watching comfortably from the sidelines.

You might think it weird for professional fisticuffs to be going down in one of the nation’s most idyllic places, but Key West has been the site of this type of action since the days of Ernest Hemingway. Rationalize your witnessing the gore as taking part in history; plus the bouts are going to be on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights! The gates at Mallory Square open at 6 p.m., and the pounding begins at 7. General admission starts at $35, and VIP passes cost $165, which includes entrance to parties and a prefight reception.
Fri., Jan. 18, 6 p.m., 2008

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.