Cock Boxing

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Cock boxing; a humane alternative ?

The Queensbury rules of cock fighting ?

Cock fighting is one of the oldest documented human activities.  Probably co-evolving in China or India thousands of years ago.  Cock fighting or rooster fighting as it is know in the United States, will always be with us.  In many countries it is legal such as Puerto Rico.  In many countries it is not, but is still endemic and we all know will never be stamped out even with massive government effort. 

Is there an alternative that can be accepted both by the cockers, and the general mainstream public ?  Considering most of the general public eat chicken from factory farms, it is not really surprising why many cockers actually feel that there is less wrong in what they do compared to the "average Joe" eating a chicken burger; without the slightest thought or how it got to his plate!   

However the site of a cockfight with all the blood and dying cocks is usually enough  to bring even the average urban dweller to anger.  Is there an alternative that mainstream society could accept ? 

Cock boxing maybe this alternative.  Cock boxing actually uses plastic boxing gloves that are placed over the cocks feet and a strict set of rules to prevent much of the damage seen in standard cock fights, while still allowing then to be tested for athleticism and courage.  This prevents much damage being done to either cock, and reduces cuts and punctures to a very minimum.  It is basically boxing for cocks, and reduces damage just as boxing gloves and Queensbury rules  reduce damage to a boxer.   Yes cocks still get hurt as a boxer would get hurt in a boxing match, but far less so than in a standard cock fight.  It is certainly more humane. 

Cock boxing is now practiced more and more as a legal alternative to traditional cock fights in parts France.   Personally I believe this is a good alternative to cock fighting, which after all will always continue; legal or not.   If you are interested in cock boxing and wish to know more then please contact  the designer of the cock boxing gloves at  cockboxing@game-bred.com specifying the words "Philippe" in the subject line.  I will them forward on your e-mail.  The owner of this site is not involved in cock boxing and is not sure of its legal status, although it is legal in some areas of France.  Questions of a legal nature can only be answered.   If you think that cock boxing interests you as an more humane alternative to cock fighting then  perhaps you can push for cock boxing to be legalized in your area or organize events yourself where cock fighting is already legal, as an alternative. If you can get cock boxing going in your area where cockfighting is already legal, perhaps if a ban is proposed on cockfighting, you can propose cock boxing as an alternative.

 

The rules for cock boxing and some pictures can be seen below(rules and pictures donated by Philippe)

 

cockboxing gloves  

Cock boxing, boxing gloves.

              cock boxing   spurs

On the left cock boxing gloves fitted to cock! Ready for boxing, a lot more humane than what you see on the right i.e. metal knives being fitted in place of natural spurs as in the Philippines..  

           cock boxing france  

Some cocks in boxing in France! Compare what this picture looks like to a real cock fighting match. Which birds look better off!

  shamo brazillian cock one times winner

The bird above is a one time winner in cock boxing.

shamo two times cock boxing winner

This is a 2 times winner in cock boxing.  After two matches try telling anyone that a factory farmed chicken is better off than that fine looking bird above (owner Philippe)

 

 

Rules of cockboxing 2008.

Refereeing

The referee agreed by both parties has total authority over the battle.

Pit

The pit diameter is about 2.3 meters long. The wall is well padded.

Fight

1 The cocks are matched by weight only for pre-registered fights.

Less than 3000 g less than 3500 g

Less than 3100 g less than 3600 g

Less than 3200 g less than 3700 g

Less than 3300 g less than 3800 g

Less than 3400 g less than 3900 g

Less than 4000 g

2 The cocks are in natural condition except for the following exceptions:

The feathers which may be trimmed or repaired,

The natural spurs must be covered by plastic boxing gloves.

The cocks are inspected to check that nails and beak have not been sharpened and that there is neither poison nor grease on the birds. Each cock is washed with a damp cloth and a few drops of water are poured deep into the throat.

The cocks are held in the hands of the two parties and allowed to peck at each other, but no actual contact yet.

Then the cocks are set in the pit. Fight is on when both cocks have kicked at least once.

The fight lasts 5 rounds of 18 minutes each with 2 minutes rest between each round.

The end of the round stops the count of 30 seconds for down position and the count of 2 minutes for inactivity but not the test for running away.

During 2 minutes rest time between rounds (in full view or everyone), only water, a cloth and a feather may be used by the handler, to treat his bird.

At the end of the rest, cocks are set in the pit, if necessary neck-to-neck.

How is the fight won?

The fight is over if any of the points below happen.

(1) If one cock is down for 30 seconds in total while the opponent is standing up. A cock is said to be down when any part of his body (beak, back, shanks,;) except his feet, makes contact with the floor.

(2) If one cock runs away. If this is in dispute, the referee asks cocks to be handled and faced beak to beak 3 times. The fight is on again if the cock that was suspected of running away pecks or tries to peck his opponent.

(3) If one cock intentionally flies over the wall 3 times. Each time he is suspected of running away.

(4) If the handler wants to leave the battle.

The fight is a draw if any of the points below happen.

(1) If time is over and there is no loser.

(2) If both cock are inactive i.e. both cocks do not kick or peck at each other for 2 minutes

(3) If one cock runs away during the first 2 minutes.