(Santa Luzia) Train like the legendary Rocky on the streets of his city then fight in the ring: The mayor of Santa Luzia, Brazil, on Wednesday used his marketing savvy to promote the largest sports center in country’s fight.
Posted at 8:31 p.m.
A first video, where we see the mayor, Christiano Xavier, of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), training in boxing in the streets of his city, on the music of the film rocky, had already gone viral on social media.
Wednesday evening, the city councilor faced the president of the municipal chamber, Wander Carvalho Jr, on the same side as him. None of the mayor’s political rivals had agreed to take up the gauntlet.
“I am president of the chamber, I respect our friendship, but I will kick your ass”, had launched to the mayor before the fight Mr. Carvalho on Instagram.
But he threw in the towel after a few minutes of fighting, leaving the ring brand new.
PHOTO DOUGLAS MAGNO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Christiano Xavier and Wander Carvalho Junior
“The objective is to promote and encourage sport, which keeps people away from drugs and the bad life, and to publicize the opening of the hall”, explained to AFP Christiano Xavier who is made a specialty of inaugurations with sports practices.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Brazil, the game only had a virtual audience thanks to live broadcasts on Facebook and YouTube, the mayor told AFP.
“Sport is about health and dignity, and boxing is a sport like any other,” he said, dismissing criticism leveled at him for promoting violence with the match boxing.
The civic center, “the largest of its kind in the country”, according to local authorities, will offer free activities to promote combat sports and martial arts. A thousand of the city’s 218,000 inhabitants will be able to benefit from the courses.
In December, Simao Peixoto, mayor of the municipality of Borba in Amazonas state, faced off in a ring with a former councilor following an alleged verbal confrontation.
After the fight, the town hall explained that it was a “marketing stunt” aimed at collecting food donations, brought by the public who came to attend the event, in order to distribute Christmas baskets to people. in need.