Phoenix teens slug it out in bizarre fight club

PHOENIX - Staff at the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department are looking into weekly fights staged at a city park following an ABC15 story that aired Wednesday.

Residents raised concerns after large groups of teenagers were found fighting at the Palomino Park near 30th Street and Greenway Road.

"Anything that's regularly scheduled and there's large groups, that's where we are going to look and see if they are playing by the rules that all other group users are using," spokesperson David Urbinato said. "We have an obligation to look into an activity that's of concern to neighbors and see if this is appropriate for a park, if it's legal."

Phoenix police maintained their stance that the teens are doing nothing wrong.  They say the fights don't rise to the level of assault and compared it with soccer, basketball, and other activities common to the park.

Hovering over north Phoenix park Wednesday afternoon, Air15 captured the action as dozens of teenagers gathered around in a circle yelling encouragement while gloved fighters punched and grappled in a surreal "fight club".

"I like to fight and sprawl. It's just my thing," fighter Michael Case said.

Things had settled down by the time we arrived on-scene several hours later, but our cameras managed to catch up with some fighters, the scene still intense.

"Yeah, I was fighting. I am 2-0 in the ring right now, you know," Case said.

The teens explained it's a weekly routine; on Wednesday nights, neighborhood kids gather in the park to fight.

"No, there's no forcing people to fight. You just get out here and you fight," another fighter, Jonathan McTibbs said.

Air15 footage showed police cars nearby, officers watching, but not stopping the brawls.

"It's just the residents using the park. There's nothing illicit about that," Phoenix police Lt. Clint Ziner said.

Ziner explained how officers had observed at least four weeks of fighting and allowed it to continue.

"There's nothing unlawful about what they're doing. They are not destroying any property, they are not that loud," he said.

One woman who was fearful to go on camera says it's senseless violence, and has to stop.

"Are we going to have a riot in our neighborhood? What's next? If we are going to allow this to happen, what's next," she said.

Parks officials said large groups need to obtain permits to gather in the park to avoid scheduling conflicts, and often show insurance to engage in risky activities.

Urbinato said park rangers will observe what's going on at Palomino Park and evaluate what to do next.

Fighters say they will continue to come out and participate in the Wednesday night events.