THE PRELUDE
On the Canvas of West Koast, lies ring-cities dedicated solely to pugilism.
Project BEF in your area– And Ima jab it one time. You’re gonna grin this!
The latter half of the phrase graffitied onto the sign of the fight establishment, Project BEF. The Project itself only came into existence sometime around the nineteen-seventies, almost coinciding with the birth of the cultural phenomenon at the time known as hip-hop. BEF however, is something that has existed since the dawn of man.
The allure of Project BEF is that it does not follow the traditions of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules of boxing. You may know as the modern rules with two fighters, three-minute rounds, one-minute rest, etc. Project BEF instead abides by Wild Rules, a loose code that basically undermines the aforementioned. Its main goal: to cast a light on pugilism, of the likes that it has never been seen before. A new genre in-of-itself. An experiment. A Project.
Boxing Entertainment Fights or BEF, as the acronym is commonly used, simulates that of which it sounds. When two cats have a personal punch-staking vendetta against one another. Thats BEF. When the light of your dreams is extinguished under a sun that never shines and festers into its own opponent. Thats BEF. When an institution, group, and/or society tells you who to be, as opposed to being who you are. Well… that can fall under the pretext of a philosophical conundrum, but can also be constituted as you guessed it.
Along with the creation of The Project, came new pugilistic marvels and devices that further enhanced the honorable sport we know boxing as. One of the first being Gear Laced Utilizing Versatility or GLUV for short. GLUV, also known as a bestus, allows for flashier tactics as well as diverse mobility juxtaposed to regular twelve-ounce leather shell gloves; although still a marvel to behold to this day. A mixture of a Roman Cestus battle glove and a Kempo martial artist glove that allows a pugilist to freely open and close their hand. This can allow for acrobatics, cartwheels, and flips mid-BEF. In some cases, even grapples are allowed.
Grinnas basically function the same as mouthguards with more flexibility and customization attuned to a pugilist’s style. Some pugilists even go as far to make it a fashion statement with permanent veneers grafted to the mouth. Other pugilists use it as an added advantage in the ring, filing them in the form of canine teeth or other carnivorous predators that can stop the blow of a single punch; given if the pugilist’s jaw is strong enough of course.
Pugilists who fight at The Project must sign a contract called The Alleged Gory, which states the imperative nature of fighting under a pseudonym or stage name. Once they dawn that stage name, they cannot for whatever reason break character. Just to jab you an example:
If someone from your past sees you on the street and calls you by you’re civilian name, you simply say the phrase “Box Check” followed by your stage name. On the Canvas of West Koast, this term is universal and they’ll understand. And if they don’t, call the local Pugil Police, they’ll make ‘em get the picture. Non-Disclosure agreements are sent out to the families of pugilists, so they also get the picture.
As they say at The Project: Box Check, Show’s On, and it stays On regardless of injury, knockout, and/or in certain cases death. THE SHOW IS ALWAYS ON.
At the Project, pugilists BEF under three main social statuses: New Gack, Primetime, and Grandmasta. The more big-boned slab pugilists are in a class of their own called Heavy B. The equivalent in regular ol’ boxing which you may know as heavyweights; Heavy B’s are adept at fighting multiple pugilists in the ring and are usually reserved for special occasions. Ultimately lineups at The Project are governed either by the Acting Director of that chapter or the master of ceremonies known punch-stakingly as Warhols. In the ring, whatever a Warhol says is bond, however, Warhols are not always immune and can be Beaten In Peace, so pugilists can settle their BEF indefinitely.
New Gacks are your typical run-of-the-mill pugilist that BEF in one to four rounds. Their B-Steez, or Boxa Style, has the potential to be something of its own, but needs refinement. One can become a New Gack by sending in an audition mixtape to The Project. Pugilists must include a stage name, B-Steez, and (1-3)demonstrations of their tactics.
Primetime is a ring-up (no pun intended) from a New Gack. They come with endorsements, perks, and an indefinite recurring role at The Project. A New Gack has the opportunity to become a Primetime by winning the project known as Golden GLUV for their chapter.
Grandmasta is the highest rank bestowed upon a pugilist in the Canvas of West Koast. They have accomplished unforeseen feats that have yet to be topped by any other. Unfortunately, they have been barred since the cataclysmic event known punch-stakingly as The BEF of 92.
It is now currently the Twenty-Second Volume of Project BEF. Pugilism has been relatively jab’n until a Boxed In Peace victim found at the sports complex would change everything. So without further ado…
Box Check. Show’s On.