A Florida state lawmaker is urging regulators to take action against kickboxing promoter Duel Arena after an Aug. 29 event at Orlando’s Kia Center sparked backlash over alleged antisemitic imagery and gestures.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani has asked the Florida Athletic Commission to revoke Duel Arena’s license, calling for an immediate suspension and a ban on the promoter staging future combat sports events in the state.
In a formal letter to the commission, Eskamani claimed the promotion went beyond what state officials had authorized by adding an unapproved bout to the fight card.
“Only ten matches were approved and there were 11, and the 11th one had a referee that was not sanctioned to be a referee,” Eskamani said.
Eskamani also pointed to other concerns surrounding the event, including fighters who were promoted but never appeared in the ring and one matchup she said featured a 112-pound weight gap between opponents.
Eskamani said the alleged violations raise concerns beyond the normal disputes that can surround professional combat sports.
“This is not a culture that we can support or endorse when it comes to the professionalism of boxing,” Eskamani said. “It’s illegal in Florida to have unsanctioned fights because people could die, people can be hurt, violence can be incited.”
The event also sparked criticism over the conduct of fighter Paul Miller, known online as the “Gypsy Crusader.” The Anti-Defamation League has described Miller as a volatile white supremacist accelerationist.
Video from the event appeared to show Miller leaving the ring and making what appeared to be a Nazi salute twice toward the crowd.
Eskamani said the controversy also raises questions about where protected political expression ends and conduct that could create a threat to public safety begins.
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“We need to draw a distinction between free speech and hate speech and incitement of violence compared to political expression,” Eskamani said.
She said she recognizes that political expression can be constitutionally protected, but argued that the setting of a regulated sporting event can create additional considerations.
“I think the context of a sanctioned event where you have city requirements that must be followed, the argument can be easily made that the actions — not even just the speech, but the actions of these involved players — create an unsafe environment that could lead to more violence,” Eskamani said.
In a statement last month, Orlando Venues, which operates the Kia Center, said the views expressed by individuals involved in the event did not represent the values of the venue, the city or its staff.
“To be clear: those views belong solely to the individuals who expressed them,” the statement said. “They do not reflect the values of Orlando viewers, the City of Orlando or our staff that work tirelessly to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.”
News 6 reached out to the Kia Center and Duel Arena for comment on Eskamani’s letter Saturday night. Responses were not immediately available.
Eskamani has also requested records related to the event, including permits, weigh-in sheets, medical clearances and referee assignments.
The allegations in Eskamani’s letter have not been independently confirmed.
The Florida Athletic Commission was asked to respond by September 14.
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