KANSAS CITY Metro. — The Kansas City Federation of Labor AFL-CIO along with Working Familys’ Friend have partnered to host what will be the inaugural “Solidarity Showdown” in November 2026 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.
This union-centric fundraiser will provide a ring for participating boxers to face off, while also offering a space for the union community to gather and practice solidarity in action.
Event organizer Jacob Hobbs, along with Solidarity Showdown partners, are currently seeking sponsorships as well as accepting registration from interested fighters. The hosts have shared that this Solidarity Showdown is open for all local union members and encourages any of those interested to throw their hat in the ring — regardless of prior, if any, boxing experience.
For those up to the challenge, interested boxers can register for the Solidarity Showdown through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSvEssLlzaMCBUWY9dCok2Evh_PRMo-yNtsLIn8pamWu08kQ/viewform?usp=preview. Currently, Hobbs shared, two fighters have signed up to face off. However, event organizers are anticipating between 30 to 40 participants to register overall.
Hobbs has encouraged the local unions to not only share entry information among their organizations but to additionally suggest volunteer opportunities, which will be available surrounding the event.
For those interested in supporting this bout through sponsorship, various packages are available, including Gold, Ring, Silver, Bronze, Split the Pot, GA and Fighter Sponsor packages as well as display table and ringside tickets. Single, ringside seats are available for $100 as well as general admission, which is $35 per ticket.
Event hosts thank IBEW Local 53 as the Solidarity Showdown’s first submitted sponsor.
While this fight night will be the first of its kind for the Kansas City AFL-CIO and Working Familys’ Friend, Hobbs shared that they do not plan for it to be an isolated event, but rather, to continue this Solidarity Showdown for years to come.
“I’m looking forward to bringing the trades together for a fun night of boxing and solidarity,” he shared with The Labor Beacon.
Those with questions or in need of additional information on sponsorships or registration are asked to contact Hobbs directly at: solidarityshowdown@gmail.com.
Julia Williams — a Kansas City native — is a reporter and digital producer for The Labor Beacon. A University of Missouri School of Journalism alumna, she previously served as the editor-in-chief of The Northeast News before joining The Labor Beacon staff.
Williams’s grandfather was a Claycomo Ford Motor Company retiree and avid UAW Local 249 supporter, allowing her to understand the union difference from a young age.
In her free time, Williams enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to see her friends and hanging out at home with her cat, Greta. She loves a good cup of coffee, seeing local, live music and shopping secondhand. With a passion for storytelling, she hopes to bring her knowledge of journalistic integrity to the Kansas City union community — giving union and labor workers a voice, while holding people in powerful positions accountable.
