What is it about grown men throwing punches in a ring that makes guys stop and stand and wait for one of them to fall?

Tuesday, 7:08pm, the Times Square subway station.  When it’s likely someone’s waiting at home for them.  And each of these guys could view the same content (or better), anytime they want, on the smartphones in their pockets?

For years, I’ve passed motionless, transfixed dudes like these in this very spot.  Do they react to a nasty punch?  No.  Do they cheer for this fighter or that?  Nope.  Do they talk to each other?  Never.

In 2009, briefly, the fighting stopped.  Not sure why.

Now it is back.   Still no audio, no hi-def, no clue when the fight will end.  They pass up train after train, waiting for a punch to land and a man to go down.