In approximately one month, people will gather to watch amateur, half-naked men punch each other in the mouths. The purpose? To save mouths.
Operation Smile Fight Night is held with support from Lion's Head Boxing Gym. The event falls under what is colloquially termed "white collar boxing", meaning "after work boxers", according to Lion's Head founder Jay-R Crisologo. Proceeds from the event will benefit Operation Smile.
"The biggest thing now is to keep white collar boxing's momentum high and strengthening our bonds with the organisations that will help push our mission forward," he said. "There is so much potential for growth that is done right -- the possibilities have no boundaries."
Crisologo is also the founder of King of the Pride, a white collar boxing event put on by Lion's Head not affiliated with any charity. The event's third edition is set to be held in the near future.
"King of the Pride works continuously to see that events like this stay alive in Bangkok," he said.
Participants in the upcoming Operation Smile Fight Night are already training, many with help from Crisologo at the modern, well-equipped Lion's Head gym, which offers classes in boxing, physical conditioning and jiu-jitsu.
Operation Smile Fight Night's proximity may dissuade potential fighters from signing up, but those interested in fighting in the next King of the Pride event should contact Lion's Head as soon as possible, so that they may begin training to knock out an accountant or a schoolteacher.
I spent an hour at the gym several weeks ago. All things considered, I am a relatively fit human being. I work out five days a week -- although I also eat ice cream five days a week. This is not exaggeration.
It is also important to note that I have never been in a fight, except once, with my younger brother, when we were young. And it ended in tears for the both of us. So it will come as no surprise that, upon entering the ring, I was pounded into oblivion. This occurred in a gentle and kind way, thanks to my opponents' understanding and pity toward the small, shaking baby bird who stood in front of them. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself -- albeit not enough to sign up as a fighter in the upcoming competition. There's always next year, I suppose, by which time I will hopefully have become a real man.
Lion's Head Boxing Gym is located at 90 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 18. Visit lionsheadboxing.com or call 02-319-0778.
Operation Smile Fight Night will be held at the Dusit Thani hotel’s Napalai Ballroom, on Oct 15.There will be a reception, at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and the main event, at 8:00pm. Tickets are now on sale. They cost B3,900 per person or B36,000 per table. Email fightnigthbangkok@gmail.com.
