"I've never punched someone" ... Russia's new hooligans
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 10:12 amhttp://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/ ... an-culture
They battle in the forest, soccer gang against soccer gang. They are the underground fighters the World Cup host doesn't want you to see.
by Sam Borden
06/03/18
This story will appear in ESPN The Magazine's June 18 World Football issue. Subscribe today! | Leerla en español
Over nearly four decades on earth, while living in half a dozen cities and two countries, whether employed or not, happy or not, sober or not, I have never -- not ever -- punched someone.
Have you?
Vova laughs at me. Of course Vova has punched someone. Vova lives in Moscow, on the edge of Russia's capital. He says he has been punching people for years, says he loves punching people, says it is part of his identity. He thinks I am an alien, basically, and that a man without scars on his hands is no man at all.
Vova is 19.