WS Chronicle

At a place in time where violent crime is at an all time high and it seems as if there’s a shooting every day, there’s a new initiative that is giving people in the community an alternative to picking up a gun: putting on boxing gloves instead. 

Started by Winston-Salem native Ralph Saunders, the Hands Up Guns Down movement gives individuals who may have issues the opportunity to settle their differences in the ring. Saunders first started the movement in 2019 with a few bouts held in a local park. He said the event did well, but he didn’t have the support he needed to really make the movement a success. 

“For me I think it all started in 2019 with the first event I had. It was really something I just put together real quick and hundreds of people came out,” Saunders said. “From that I knew this was something that could catch on, but I knew I couldn’t do it by myself.”

After discussing it for a while and working out the details, in 2021, Saunders, who is also a trainer at 21/90 Fitness, decided to give it another try. “With everything that was going on in the community, I just felt like it was time to bring it back,” Saunders said. In November Saunders hosted a small event at the 21/90 Studio on Patterson Avenue. Although the event didn’t draw a large crowd, hundreds of people watched the video and a few days later dozens of people started reaching out to Saunders asking to participate. 

Even after seeing how well the event did on social media, Saunders said he was still skeptical about investing his time and energy into the movement. But all that changed when Delano Davis reached out to him and offered his help. 

“There’s a lot that goes into putting on an event like this, a whole lot. Especially if you want to do it the right way,” Saunders said. “It’s a lot of people who say they’ll help but never show up. That’s why I’m so grateful for him (Davis ) because he’s one of the few people who have stayed true to their word and really helped me get this off the ground.” 

With help from Davis, Saunders’ vision for the Hands Up Guns Down movement is moving into place. On Jan. 15 seven different fights are scheduled to take place, including two for title belts, as part of the Hands Up Guns Down Bragging Rights event. When discussing the event and his partnership with Saunders, Davis said when he heard about the movement, he knew it was something the community needed.

“I do a lot of stuff for the community already, so when I heard about this I immediately reached out to Ralph and we’ve been working together ever since,” Davis said. 

While helping promote and make sure everything goes according to plan on Jan. 15, Duke is also preparing to get in the ring. He is scheduled to fight in the main event. Each of the bouts listed on the card will be two, two-minute rounds. 

To make sure he’s ready, Davis said he’s been running a few miles every day and drinking a ton of water. “I know there’s no way I can be in boxing shape by next week, so I’ve really just been being mentally prepared,” he said. 

Saunders said a lot of people don’t understand that there’s a difference in being in shape and being in boxing shape. 

“It’s a lot of people who could go out and play basketball or football and not be tired, but I can show them a simple six punch combination and they won’t be able to throw another punch afterwards,” Saunders continued. “I try to tell people all the time you can be in shape and not be in boxing shape. They think it’s easy to get in there and just throw punches, but it’s a lot more than that.”

Saunders and Davis said the Bragging Rights event is just the beginning for the Hands Up Guns Down movement. They are already scheduling upcoming events. Saunders said they are also working on a deal with a similar movement in Charlotte.

The Hands Up Guns Down: Bragging Rights event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at The Sequel Entertainment Complex located at 71 Waughtown St. For more information visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e224851887047 or visit “Hands Up Guns Down: Bragging Rights” on Facebook.