By GABRIELLE KNOWLES, The West Australian
WA police have promised to blitz tonight's Danny Green-Manny Siaca IBO cruiserweight bout, with outlaw motorcycle gang members and other "persons of interest" expected among the sell out crowd.
The promoters of tonight's title fight at Challenge Stadium have given police access to the names of VIP ticket holders - every one of whom must pass through a metal detector or be refused entry.
Fans in regular seating in the stands will not automatically be subjected to walk-through metal detectors, but police may target individual fans with hand-held wands.
A "considerable" police presence will patrol crowds inside and outside the venue.
A security crackdown at Green's fight against Anthony van Niekerk at Challenge Stadium 12 months ago saw lengthy delays as patrons queued for hours to pass the security checkpoints.
Organisers and police hope to avoid a repeat by doubling the number of stadium entrances to six. No weapons were detected at last year's bout.
Acting Insp. Vic Hussey said police had identified bikie gang members and "people of interest" from the Eastern States among those who had bought tickets on the ringside VIP tables, but he refused to name them.
"They are the most likely people to be screened," he said.
Outlaw motocycle gang insignia is banned at the bout and Acting Insp. Hussey promised to refuse entry to anyone who wore bikie colours or refused a metal detector search.
Acting Insp. Hussey refused to say exactly how many officers would police the expected 5000-strong crowd but said "considerable police resources" had been allocated to the fight, including officers from the gang crime squad.
Rejecting claims from the Green camp that last years police operation was "overkill", Acting Insp. Hussey said police were taking precautions to ensure everybody could enjoy the fight.
"We're expecting tonight to go along peacefully. That's what we're hoping for, but we're planning for any eventualities," he said.
He said police had no information to suggest there would be any trouble and would not say which bikie gangs police believe will be present.
Source: au.news.yahoo.com
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