Antisemitic symbols and gestures were displayed during a combat sports event at Orlando’s Kia Center, prompting condemnation from Jewish community leaders, a participating boxer and spectators.
Footage from the Duel Arena event on Saturday, August 29, showed a spectator holding a flag bearing a swastika after the kickboxing bout between Paul Miller, who fights as “Gypsy Crusader”, and Ben Azoulay, known as “King Azoulay”. Miller won the contest by split decision. ([fox35orlando.com](https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/antisemitic-symbols-gestures-displayed-during-boxing-event-orlandos-kia-center.amp?utm_source=openai))
Azoulay, who is Jewish, told Fox 35 he was deeply disturbed by what happened. Patrick Clark, another boxer on the card, said he recorded the flag being held up inside the arena.
“I saw a Nazi flag held up by one of the fans, and it had a giant swastika,” Mr Clark said. “I took a video of it. I couldn’t believe it. I was just like, Orlando’s lost its mind.”
Mr Clark also alleged that the winner of the co-main event made a Nazi salute after the decision, while members of the fighter’s corner made similar gestures towards the crowd. He said the reaction from some spectators was especially disturbing.
“It was an attack on people of colour. It was an attack on Jewish Americans,” he said.
City responds to antisemitic display
The City of Orlando, which owns the Kia Center, said it did not condone the messaging and that the flag was removed after staff became aware of it. Orlando Venues, the city department overseeing the arena, also said the venue prohibits signs featuring derogatory or offensive images. ([orlandoweekly.com](https://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/orlando-area-news/some-guy-brandished-a-nazi-flag-inside-orlandos-kia-center-saturday/?utm_source=openai))
“The City is required to operate its venues in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, which do not allow us to make booking decisions based on the content or viewpoint of an event,” the city said.
It added that it could not deny the event use of the venue as long as it complied with applicable law. The promoters, Duel Arena and Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA, did not respond to requests for comment.
Rabbi Dovid Dubov, of Chabad of Greater Orlando, had met Mr Azoulay before the fight to pray with him. He said the public display of antisemitic imagery should concern the whole community.
“What’s deeply troubling is that antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadows, and we’re seeing people feel increasingly comfortable displaying hatred openly and publicly,” Rabbi Dubov said. “And that should concern every decent person, not just the Jewish community.”
Mr Miller previously served time in federal prison after his arrest in 2021 on charges linked to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Prosecutors said at the time that he had posted online expressing hatred of minority groups and support for a race-based civil war.
Mr Miller declined an interview with Fox 35 and said he did not see an issue with the incident. The broadcaster said it was awaiting further comment from him.
