MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Gary Stark Jr. and Anthony Napunyi during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gary Stark Jr.; Anthony Napunyi
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Gary Stark Jr. and Anthony Napunyi during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gary Stark Jr.; Anthony Napunyi
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Marcus Browne and Gabriel Campillo during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marcus Browne; Gabriel Campillo
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Brittany Cruz and Shelly Vincent during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brittany Cruz; Shelly Vincent
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Brittany Cruz and Shelly Vincent during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brittany Cruz; Shelly Vincent
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Titus Williams and Benjamin Burgos during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Titus Williams; Benjamin Burgos
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Jermall Charlo enters the ring before a fight against Cornelius Bundrage at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Jermall Charlo punches Cornelius Bundrage during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermall Charlo;Cornelius Bundrage
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Cornelius Bundrage is knocked out by Jermall Charlo during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Cornelius Bundrage is knocked out by Jermall Charlo during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermall Charlo;Cornelius Bundrage
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Cornelius Bundrage is knocked out by Jermall Charlo during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermall Charlo;Cornelius Bundrage
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Peter Quillin and Michael Zerafa during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Peter Quillin punches Michael Zerafa during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Zerafa is knocked out by Peter Quillin during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Jermall Charlo reacts after defeating Cornelius Bundrage during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Zerafa is knocked out by Peter Quillin during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Zerafa is tended to after being knocked out by Peter Quillin during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Zerafa
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Peter Quillin reacts after defeating Michael Zerafa during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
MASHANTUCKET, CT – SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Zerafa is tended to after being knocked out by Peter Quillin during a fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 12, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Zerafa
Here are some photos from an afternoon of Premier Boxing Champions league boxing action at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Connecticut. I covered the day of fighting for Getty Images.
What a sport. Being ringside right next to these fighters is a totally different experience than watching on television or from afar. You can see and smell the blood and sweat dripping off their faces and bodies. Sometimes, it even sprays on you. You also realize how athletic and quick they are. The punches and jabs almost happen too fast to be photographed. For that reason, I was glad I got there early to get my timing down on the shorter bouts before the main event.
I had a good spot to shoot, and two vicious knockouts happened right in front of me. Cornelius Bundrage (shown in the black and white frame above), went down literally inches in front of my lens, which made for a neat picture.
It’s a tough sport to watch, but a fascinating one to photograph. I hope I get to shoot more of it in the future. Thanks to Getty Images for the assignment!
