Hannover, Germany – An exhibition showcasing the world of Olympic boxing within the Hannover-Seelze club is currently on display at the Galerie für Fotografie (GAF) in Hannover. The exhibition, titled “Ring frei!” (Free the Ring!), features the work of photographer Petar Beres, who spent two years documenting the athletes and atmosphere of the BSK Hannover-Seelze boxing club.
The exhibition opened on , 2026, and will run until , 2026, open from Thursday to Sunday, 12:00 to 18:00. The opening event featured remarks from Brgit Honé, Chairperson of the Lotto-Sport-Stiftung, and a laudation delivered by Dr. Reinhard Spieler, Director of the Sprengel Museum.
A Club Rooted in Diversity and Success
The BSK Hannover-Seelze, the subject of Beres’s photographic study, boasts a remarkably diverse membership. The club comprises over 300 members hailing from 25 different countries. Since its founding in 1993, the club has achieved significant success, including 11 German championships. The 2013/2014 season stands out as a particularly dominant period, with the team remaining undefeated in team competitions. They last secured the German championship in 2017/2018, and have consistently placed among the top teams in the German Boxing League.
Beyond athletic achievement, the BSK Hannover-Seelze emphasizes a strong sense of community. The club actively fosters an inclusive environment for men, women, children, competitive boxers, and recreational enthusiasts from a wide range of national, religious, and cultural backgrounds. This commitment to inclusivity is a defining characteristic of the organization.
The Art of Capturing the Action
Beres’s work focuses on capturing the intensity and dynamism of boxing within the ring. He skillfully portrays the movements, faces, and moments where strength and concentration converge. The photographer, who previously worked as a press photographer after migrating from Hungary, faced technical challenges in documenting the sport. The difficult lighting conditions, the speed of the action, and the obstruction caused by the ring ropes all demanded a high level of technical skill.
The exhibition delves into the nuances of Olympic boxing, a sport that officially became part of the Summer Olympic Games in 1904 in St. Louis. Women were first permitted to compete in Olympic boxing in 2012. A standard Olympic boxing match consists of three rounds, each lasting three minutes. Male boxers compete in nine weight classes, while female boxers compete in ten.
More Than Just a Sport
The exhibition also touches upon the broader benefits of boxing, particularly for young people. Educators and psychologists widely agree that boxing can be a personally empowering activity, fostering qualities like confidence, resilience, and self-respect. Beyond the psychological benefits, boxing also develops physical attributes such as conditioning, strength, agility, and speed. The sport requires precise movements, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking.
The exhibition highlights how boxing provides children and adolescents with a sense of self-efficacy, allowing them to develop self-assurance and learn to assert themselves while respecting the perspectives of others. The club’s emphasis on a supportive and inclusive environment likely contributes to these positive developmental outcomes.
A Photographer’s Perspective
The exhibition offers a unique perspective on a sport often viewed through the lens of aggression and violence. Beres’s photographs, by focusing on the athleticism, discipline, and community within the BSK Hannover-Seelze, present a more nuanced and compelling portrait of Olympic boxing. The exhibition invites viewers to appreciate the dedication, skill, and diversity of the athletes who participate in this demanding sport.
The Facebook page of BSK Hannover Seelze announced the exhibition on , 2026, noting that Beres spent two years documenting the club’s boxers.
