Toughman Competiton Not Welcome Everywhere
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
While Fort Wayne hosted the Toughman Competition in January, the contest is not welcomed everywhere.
The Toughman competition has been the subject of much discussion since its inception in 1979. In fact, it has been banned in numerous cities around the United States, including three in Indiana - LaPorte, Evansville and Indianapolis. It is also banned in at least four states including Pennsylvania and Missouri. The Indiana Boxing Commission has proposed a statewide ban against the Toughman Competition.
While promoters of the Toughman contest say it is the safest form of fighting events, others disagree. Since 1995, at least five deaths have been attributed to the events, with the most recent coming in Michigan on January 25.
A Texas man suffered severe head injuries during a Toughman competition in Saginaw, Michigan, January 4. Medical officials believe Scott Wood developed a blood clot after receiving a blow to the head during a fight at the Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Wood fell unconscious shortly after the fight and died Jan. 25.
Wood's death is believed to be the 10th linked to the Toughman Competition since its inception in 1979.
Although fighters wear headgear and gloves that are heavier than the ones used by professionals, critics say that it is not enough. While most boxing associations limit the numbers of bouts to one per day, Toughman competitors can have up to five matches in a two-day period.
Doctors say that this type of fighting is especially dangerous because injuries are magnified when the bouts are so close together.
Another danger for participants is the lack of experience. Since the competitors can have no professional experience and cannot have fought in more than six amateur bouts in the past five years, inexperience and lack of training come into play as well. While many of the fighters train beforehand, there is no rule stating that training is required. Basically, the only requirements for participants are signing a waiver, paying an entry fee and a pre-fight physical.
The matches consist of three one-minute rounds with a 45 second rest between rounds. Fighters must undergo a pre-fight physical, and doctors and EMT's are at ringside during the matches. [[In-content Ad]]
While Fort Wayne hosted the Toughman Competition in January, the contest is not welcomed everywhere.
The Toughman competition has been the subject of much discussion since its inception in 1979. In fact, it has been banned in numerous cities around the United States, including three in Indiana - LaPorte, Evansville and Indianapolis. It is also banned in at least four states including Pennsylvania and Missouri. The Indiana Boxing Commission has proposed a statewide ban against the Toughman Competition.
While promoters of the Toughman contest say it is the safest form of fighting events, others disagree. Since 1995, at least five deaths have been attributed to the events, with the most recent coming in Michigan on January 25.
A Texas man suffered severe head injuries during a Toughman competition in Saginaw, Michigan, January 4. Medical officials believe Scott Wood developed a blood clot after receiving a blow to the head during a fight at the Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Wood fell unconscious shortly after the fight and died Jan. 25.
Wood's death is believed to be the 10th linked to the Toughman Competition since its inception in 1979.
Although fighters wear headgear and gloves that are heavier than the ones used by professionals, critics say that it is not enough. While most boxing associations limit the numbers of bouts to one per day, Toughman competitors can have up to five matches in a two-day period.
Doctors say that this type of fighting is especially dangerous because injuries are magnified when the bouts are so close together.
Another danger for participants is the lack of experience. Since the competitors can have no professional experience and cannot have fought in more than six amateur bouts in the past five years, inexperience and lack of training come into play as well. While many of the fighters train beforehand, there is no rule stating that training is required. Basically, the only requirements for participants are signing a waiver, paying an entry fee and a pre-fight physical.
The matches consist of three one-minute rounds with a 45 second rest between rounds. Fighters must undergo a pre-fight physical, and doctors and EMT's are at ringside during the matches. [[In-content Ad]]