Why the Toughman should go (and others can stay)

When first-time boxing amateur BobbyTroy DePue entered the Toughman ring, he didn't know his first opponent was a three-time Louisiana Golden Glove winner who had 56 amateur fights under his belt. Unfortunately, he'd never find out. You see, that fighter, Terry Vermaelen, had discovered in previous Toughman competitions that referees allowed fighters to use a variety of techniques that would be illegal in sanctioned boxing. One was holding the back of an opponent's head with one hand while hitting him with the other.

By the second round, Vermaelen was punching at will, holding the back of DePue's head with his right hand and pummeling him with his left. DePue finally turned to the referee and said, "I've had enough." The referee stopped the match, and DePue walked a few feet before collapsing. He died later that night.

A similar scenario occurred here in Texarkana earlier this month and has one family grieving for their son. 23 year-old Brandon Twitchell died after life support was removed four days after he participated in the Texarkana Toughman on February 8 and 9.

When Sen. John McCain filed legislation in 1997 in an attempt to ban the Toughman competition nationwide, he called the contest a form of "human cockfighting." That's one reason that other reputable amateur boxing organizations detest the Toughman. Amateur boxing is governed by Colorado Springs-based USA Boxing, an organization that has banned Toughman participants from its sanctioned amateur bouts.

Weight Classifications

One reason that makes the Toughman so much more dangerous than conventional amateur boxing is the uneven matchups. Sanctioned amateur and professional boxing organizations separate contestants by weight classifications that rarely vary by more than 10 pounds. On ther other hand, Toughman competitors can be outweighed by 100 pounds or more.

Weight disparities increase the odds of a knockout, and that is what fans pay to see. This one glaring example shows why the Toughman's profits are more important to them than the contestants themselves and is the main reason given by the Texas Legislature when they outlawed Toughman in 2005.

Elimination Contests

Perhaps the most dangerous part of the Toughman is the requirement that contestants who win must continue to fight other opponents in the same day. If a contestant continues to win, they also come back the next day to fight. Most professional boxers will tell you that this is the easiest way to get hurt and that amateurs can't possibly know the dangers associated with multiple fights in one day.

Twitchell's father told the Texarkana Gazette that his son "just thought it was going to be a night of recreation...with all of the super-sized head gear and gloves, he was sure he could not really be harmed.” Professional boxers are taught to protect their head, an objective that can be physically difficult in itself after a few rounds. Once a fighter becomes exhausted (especially those with little to no training), blows to his or her head are more easily accomplished, and that is what leads to the most common cause of death among Toughman fighters: multiple concussions and hemorrhaging of the brain. There are numerous others living in America today with brain injuries caused by these contests. For those that don't have insurance, you and I are footing the bill for their medical treatment.

No oversight in Arkansas

In 2001, the Arkansas Legislature exempted the Toughman from oversight of the Arkansas Athletic Commission by enacting SB369. Now, regardless of what egregious violations take place at one of their events here, Ark. Code Ann. § 17-22-208 mandates that the person shall not be subject to a fine exceeding $1,000.

The Toughman is no stranger to legislation, and they'll willingly state on the record that they'll do anything they can to defeat legislation that regulates them. "It's the American way," Toughman leader Art Dore told the Wall Street Journal in 2003.

Skirting the law

24 states have now either banned the Toughman outright or severely restricted their contests. Here are some examples of how the Toughman has responded:

• Illinois: In 2003, the Toughman held a bout without informing the Illinois boxing commission. After the commission learned of the event, two investigators to were sent to the next venue. When they arrived, they learned that the fighters had been told they could kick their opponents. The occasional kick that night put the event outside the jurisdiction of the state's boxing commission, which doesn't regulate kick-boxing. The inspectors had no choice but to let the show go on.

• Florida: After a death at a Sarasota Toughman event, it was found that there was no physician ringside, even though at least one is required by Florida law. Mr. Dore told the Wall Street Journal said there was a physician's assistant on duty and that besides, a physician isn't necessary at a fight. "Really, an EMT is a hell of a lot better to have in case anybody gets hurt anyway," he said. "You know, doctors don't know what they're doing."

• Michigan: During a period of time when the Toughman was under a cease-and-desist order issued by the state of Michigan not to hold events there, Dore set up an event at an Indian casino in Michigan, complete with a national pay-per-view audience. "That's a sovereign nation," he said. 31 year-old Scott Wood was killed at that event.

No one likes telling people what they can and can't do. The balance between protecting personal liberties and protecting the health and safety of our citzenry is one of the most delicate we have. Still, there's a reason we outlaw other activities that include consenting adults like drag racing, prostitution, cooking meth and statutory rape.

There comes a time when someone has to step in and say "enough." Three of our neighboring states -- Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri -- have done it. The Toughman is coming to Little Rock this weekend. They'll be in Fort Smith in August. Dore is on record as saying that he'll go anywhere where he feels he can "make a buck." I hope it's the last time this company is able to come in and profit off of encouraging amateurs who are often out of shape and in poor medical condition to get in the ring and slug it out for some cheap entertainment. Let's work on enhancing and attracting other respectable amateur and professional sporting events to Arkansas.