Young men urging people to put 'Guns Down Gloves Up' in Jacksonville

Only Action News Jax is talking to the young men behind a Duval County fight club.

The first rule of this fight club is to put your guns down.

It’s described as an effort to curb gun violence with organized boxing matches, where young men release their aggression without weapons.

"You don't have to pick up guns to settle beef," one of the organizers, Rique Bentley, said.

In a local movement called “Guns Down, Gloves Up,” Bentley and his friends are trying to organize fights to get aggression out and to try to prevent gun violence.

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"We all grew up around violence, we know how it is. We are trying to set a new vibe, new way for the city," Bentley said.

Bentley said each fight can last up to six minutes.

"If someone were to fall, we would stop. If they would wrap up, they would stop. It's just trying to get anger out," Bentley said.

Pastor John Guns said he thinks the city should support them.

“I think this is a great outlet when the right partners are involved," Guns said.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said that’s exactly what needs to happen in order to avoid any criminal violations.

"In order to have a boxing match, it has to be sanctioned and licensed by the state of Florida," Carson said.

Action News Jax reached out to the city and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for a response, but we have yet to hear back.

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Cox Media Group