Bostons Combat Zone is a nickname for its adult entertainment or red light district. This neighborhood just south of China town is notorious for its Strip clubs, prostitution, crime, poverty, adult movie stores, gangsters, homosexuals, rapes, and murders. Irish, Italian, and Jewish gangsters have controlled and fought over the Combat Zone since they first got off the boat. The Combat Zone existed from the mid 1960's until today (only much smaller today). This neighborhood of about 8 square blocks acquired its name "The Combat Zone" from the amount of gang violence and homicides that occure there. Its a dangerous hood and it can be classified as one thing a Boston GHETTO.