Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
Early this year, Will Smith slapped renowned comedian Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California after the comedian had cracked a joke on Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife.
Chris Rock’s joke emanayed from Jada’s baldness not knowing that she suffers from alopecia areata.
What does Hollywood do thereafter?
They push for “Slapping” to be a professional sport.
On 18 October 2022 Nevada State Athletic Commission Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana white and Chief Business Officer (CBO) Hunter Campbell proposed ‘Slap Fighting Championship’ to be recognized as a professional sport in Nevada.
Accomplished actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul have been promoting the Slap Fighting Championship with the help of YouTube and Twitch.
This does not come as a surprise since the Terminator star is an action (violence) movie hero.
As the words “Slap Fighting” state, the sport will involve two fighters, who will stand facing each other and take turns to slap each other on the cheek until one of them is knocked out or can’t handle the whopping anymore.
The newly approved odd sport has gained a wide audience and at the same time critics are in the midst. The critics state that the new sport promotes violence and at the same time puts the participants’ life at risk with high chances of suffering from concussions.
As reported by CTVNews.ca, Erik Magraken reiterated that,
“Anybody getting involved with this shouldn’t be misled because it’s an open-handed slap as opposed to a closed fist that it’s any safer for the brain,” he said.
Unlike in boxing, MMA, wrestling or any other combat sport, the slapping league prohibits fighters to block, defend or dodge the strikes as they will be consequences if they do so. The only thing that they are allowed to use to protect themselves is a mouth guard and earplugs only.
In an interview with FOX5, Stephen Cloobeck, Chair of the Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed that the new sport will be governed by laws and regulations just like any other sport, medical aid will be made available to make the sport safe for the fighters.
“As long as it’s regulated, because it looks pretty fierce. You hear those slaps, it is like palpable and you go, ‘Oh my god’, I certainly don’t want to be on the receiving end.”
Zimbabwean residents in Bulawayo are also not pleased with the new sporting development in the West.
“There is a possibility of killing some one during the match…even if there is a lot of money involved, I would never do it. What if I die in the process, where will that money go?” said Ephithule Sibanda
One of the slapping championship follower, Kelvin Hungwe said the sport has been his favorite since he started watching it online, stating it is good for someone’s physicality.
“It is good for the body, you will be able to stay fit through gym and workouts.”
He did not deny the fact that the new entertaining sport does have its flaws but he supported his argument by stating that every sport has problems and those wanting to partake must prepare first.
“You have to prepare yourself first, you can’t just go and do this sport..even soccer has problems (injuries), so you have to be fit first…even if you look at boxing, people do get hit on the head.”
The Super Slap fight televised premiere will be held in the Sin City and Entertainment capital of the world Las Vegas before end of this year, the actual dates haven’t been confirmed.