State claims ‘Toughman’ competitor no amateur
NASHVILLE (AP) — A man accused of lying about his experience before cleaning up in an amateur “Toughman” contest has been charged by state authorities who say he injured several competitors.
The civil charges, the first prosecution attempted under the state’s 14-year-old “Toughman” laws, come as the governor pushes legislation banning the contests in Tennessee.
Fighter Anthony Young won $1,000 in a series of bouts at a September contest in Maryville, authorities said. The state Department of Commerce and Insurance says Young is a former Golden Gloves boxer with more than 50 wins over a 10-year career.
The state regulators say competitors in the “Toughman” events are supposed to be amateurs with limited boxing experience. The agency — which is trying to ban the sport in Tennessee — said Young ended up injuring several less experienced participants.
“(Young’s) conduct reveals that he engaged in fraud and deceit to obtain a license that enabled (him) to endanger the public by using his superior experience to prey on the inexperienced and untrained opposition,” the charges against Young read.
Young of Maryville couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.
The state said in court documents that it found out about Young’s boxing experience after the Maryville event, which required an application be filed with the agency.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Gowan, working with the governor on legislative efforts to ban the contests, said in a release that there is no way to safely regulate the bouts.
“These contests enrich promoters and nightspot operators and endanger the lives of competitors,” he said.
But a promoter of the contests said the problem is lax oversight from the state that allows marginal operators to unethically promote fights. Christopher Smith of Charleston, W.Va., said he suspects the charges were filed to help the legislative effort to ban the bouts.
“It needs more regulation,” said the promoter of the “Rough and Rowdy Brawl” events held in the region. “It doesn’t need to be banned.”
Smith said the state, which already regulates boxing, is being pushed by the boxing industry to get rid of “Toughman” contests because the up-and-coming sport is monopolizing local fans.
“We’re their No. 1 competition,” said Smith.
Smith said promoters generally follow the rules — and understand why it is important to keep professionals from entering the ring against amateurs for a few quick bucks.
“If you match experience with experience, you’re OK. If you match inexperience with inexperience you’re OK. If you mix the two, you’re asking for trouble,” he said.
Paula Wade, spokeswoman for the regulatory agency, said the charges were not filed as part of an effort to help their legislation.
“I think it’s a matter of helping crystalize the danger of this and the difficulty in regulating it,” she said.
The civil charges against Young carry a maximum penalty of $2,000. A hearing in the case is scheduled for March 29.