N.Y. Elementary School 'Fight Club' Uncovered by Student's Father

Tomas Rivera said that he overheard his son complaining to his sparring partner — as the pint-sized pugilists played video games Thursday evening — that he wasn't getting enough applause during their bout at PS 65 in Ozone Park.

"I heard him go, 'Oh, they were cheering you more than they were cheering me,' " the father told The Post.

Rivera then quizzed his son, also named Tomas, and the 10-year-old spilled the beans about the clash, which was allegedly set up by Joseph Gullotta, the kids' fourth-grade teacher.

Rivera said his son initially had a beef with another student when Gullotta told the boy, "Don't fight with him because I like you guys too much."

Instead, the teacher allegedly told his son to take out his aggression on longtime pal Justin Stokel, 9.

"Mr. Gullotta told him, 'You are my favorite star student, why don't you start a fight with him instead?' "

During the match, the kids butted heads, leaving Stokel with a split lip and Rivera's kid with a possible concussion.


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