Bust-up
Over 'Hardest Doorman' Contest
A fight night to find Britain's 'hardest doorman' has been slammed. Sixteen
bouncers will box against each other for the title and a prize of £10,000
at The Ritz nightclub, Manchester, in an event staged by Glossop-based
KO Promotions.
A website promoting the event, to be held in September, says there will
be 15 fights with ringside seats advertised at £45 and standard
seats £35.
But the Security Industry Authority , the regulatory body that licenses
door staff, condemned the event. It has spent years working to improve
the public image of doormen and all those fighting on the night are SIA
licensed. The manager of The Ritz said they would not hold the event unless
it got approval from the authorities.
But Michael Wilson, chief executive of the SIA, said: 'I am disappointed.
It
puts the industry in a bad light and undermines the real progress made
in door supervision.
'Intelligence and conflict management skills are the tools of the profession
to protect the public in the 21st Century - not by physical means.'
Pat Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman, also hit out at
the event.
'We need this like a hole in the head,'he said. 'There's enough macho
violence in the world without encouraging it. I hope that none of the
bouncers involved are from Manchester.'
Phil Burke, from the Manchester Pub and Club Network, said the event could
set Manchester's reputation back 'by years'. He added: 'We've worked hard
on ridding Manchester of its thuggish image and this will not help. I'd
urge The Ritz to have a rethink about hosting it.'
Police have also hit out at the planned brawl.
Manchester City Safe Inspector Ron Orr said: 'We do not condone events
that are seeking to display violent behaviour. Registered SIA door staff
are a vital ingredient in ensuring that Manchester is a safe place for
people to come and enjoy the city's nightlife.
'It appears from this planned event that door staff are being encouraged
to behave in an aggressive manner which contradicts their roles and responsibilities.
'By taking part in this event it goes against the aim that doorman are
there to stop violent behaviour from happening.'
KO Promotions, which has a boxing gym based in Stalybridge boasting trainers
who have worked with Ricky Hatton and Michael Gomez, also runs `white
collar' boxing events and corporate hospitality events.
David Dickinson, chief executive of the British Security Industry Association,
which provides equipment for the industry, said: 'Licensing and regulation
has produced a far more professional door supervision sector with many
people striving to leave the image of `hardness' behind and replace it
with that of professionals that do their job and pride without recourse
to violence.'
Since 2005, all door staff working in England and Wales must be licensed
by the SIA or risk prosecution. The licence costs about £200 and
lasts for three years. The door staff must pass criminal history checks
and complete training courses on conflict management, emergency procedures
and drug awareness.
The law is designed to stop unsuitable people from working doors.
When approached by the M.E.N. Sean Cullen, general manager of The Ritz,
denied that the event had been given the green light.
He said: 'We've been approached for quotes and prices but until we speak
to the authorities nothing is confirmed.'
