Spring Break 2025 took a wild turn in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as bikini-clad spring breakers participated in illegal boxing matches on the beach, with bets reportedly placed using cryptocurrency. The chaotic scene, captured on video and shared widely online, showcased men and women engaging in impromptu fights, drawing large crowds of cheering onlookers. According to eyewitness Joshua Pettus, who recorded the event, the spectacle began when he noticed students running toward a gathering of people on the beach. Pettus told NBC Miami, “I started hearing somebody taking bets, and they were doing it with crypto.” He added, “Boxing gloves came out, the ring got bigger, and I knew the fight was going to start.”
The matches involved both men and women, with some female participants donning bikinis and boxing gloves to throw punches at each other. The crowd enthusiastically encouraged the fighters, creating a rowdy and unpredictable atmosphere. Pettus expressed concern over the dangerous nature of the activity, stating, “Why aren’t they playing football? Something that is not going to get people injured.” Despite his reservations, the matches continued until Fort Lauderdale Police intervened to break up the fights.
In a statement addressing the incident, the city of Fort Lauderdale confirmed that law enforcement had stepped in to disperse the crowds. “Fort Lauderdale Police witnessed and broke up two incidents on the beach, and the crowd complied both times without further issues. There have been no reported confirmed cases of betting. This type of behavior will not be tolerated,” the statement read. The city emphasized its commitment to maintaining order and ensuring public safety during the spring break festivities.
A wild scene unfolded on a Florida beach as rowdy students on spring break gathered around a makeshift boxing match, with onlookers allegedly placing crypto bets on the fights. More: https://t.co/AG88t1tUs6 @BrookeShaferTV pic.twitter.com/gsyazbnwax
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) March 17, 2025
The use of cryptocurrency for betting added a modern twist to the illegal activity, highlighting the challenges authorities face in regulating such transactions. While no confirmed cases of betting were reported, the eyewitness account suggests that crypto was being used to place wagers on the matches. This incident underscores the growing intersection of technology and illicit activities, as well as the difficulties in monitoring and preventing such behavior in real-time.
The video of the beachside boxing matches quickly went viral, sparking debates about the behavior of spring breakers and the measures needed to curb such incidents. The Fort Lauderdale Police’s swift response helped prevent further escalation, but the event has raised questions about how to effectively manage large crowds during peak vacation periods. As spring break continues to draw thousands of young people to popular destinations, local authorities are likely to face ongoing challenges in balancing public safety with the festive atmosphere that defines the season.