Police in Granada, Spain, are investigating a disturbing case involving organized fights between vulnerable individuals, following the death of a man who had participated in one of these bouts. According to the Spanish newspaper IDEAL, authorities are examining reports that local groups were deliberately targeting homeless people and individuals struggling with addiction, forcing them to fight in the middle of the street in exchange for small sums of money or even drugs. The investigation has since expanded, as police look into whether similar fights had been organized over the course of approximately one month at various locations across northern Granada.
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Granada: “Real cockfights — but with human beings”
Sources familiar with the case describe what allegedly took place as “auténticas peleas de gallos con personas” — “real cockfights, but with human beings.” According to information being examined by authorities, the alleged organizers actively sought out people in particularly vulnerable situations, primarily homeless individuals and those with substance dependencies.
“Los echan literalmente a pelear” — “they literally throw them in to fight” — say sources cited by the Spanish newspaper.
The two opponents reportedly received around €20 each to agree to participate. After the bout, the winner could earn an additional €20, while the loser received approximately €10. In some cases, drugs were allegedly offered as a “prize,” and authorities are also investigating whether some participants were under the influence of substances at the time.
Boxing gloves and spectators in the middle of the street
According to IDEAL, participants were even given boxing gloves. The fights took place in the open street, with the two opponents touching gloves before the brawl began.
Crowds of onlookers gathered around them, and footage reportedly shows spectators laughing, clapping, and urging the fighters to continue. Among those watching, there were allegedly even minors present. In one video obtained by the Spanish newspaper, a voice from the crowd can be heard repeatedly shouting “¡Lucha la papela!”
The fight that ended in a man’s death
On the night of Saturday, September 12, one of the bouts in the area of Plaza Rey Badis ended in tragedy. According to IDEAL, two homeless men were pitted against each other, and during the fight one of them began losing strength and collapsed to the ground.
As described in the report, his opponent struck him three times in the head. The victim managed to get back up, but staggered and fell again. Approximately 15 people were reportedly watching the scene, with some, according to the report, laughing and encouraging the two men to keep going.
The injured man was rushed to the intensive care unit of Granada’s Neurotraumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital in a critically serious condition. He suffered brain death and died two days later.
The man involved in the fatal fight has been remanded in custody
Granada’s National Police Homicide Unit immediately launched an investigation into the incident. Within approximately 12 hours, detectives located the man who had fought the victim and arrested him at around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
A Granada court ordered his pretrial detention, and according to judicial sources cited by IDEAL, he is being investigated on charges of homicide.
The police investigation, however, is not limited to this single incident. Authorities are working to determine whether specific individuals or organized groups were behind the fights and whether they were systematically exploiting people in vulnerable situations. Video footage from the bouts and other evidence are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
