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On July 15th, 2004 Ohio’s Office of
Inspector General (IG) Report of Investigation file ID# 2004119 that
demonstrates that the Ohio Athletic Commission (OAC) has a major problem
that opens all participant in the Toughman Contest and similar elimination
style competitions to abuse and exposes them to the same conditions that
caused my sister-in-law’s death.
This IG report shows that participants lied to
the OAC, and that the OAC and Toughman organization failed to do their job.
The OAC and the Toughman organization did not ensure the safety of the
participant, they not investigate participants properly, they did not use
their independent tracking system and the national professional boxing
registry to ensure trained and conditioned professional fighters are not
matches against untrained inexperienced participants. In fact the report
indicates that it was an acceptable practice.
The OAC responded by increasing the time they
have to verify the backgrounds of the contestants. But this measure still
failed, Steve Burress still died fighting. This policy did nothing to
improve the sport of boxing in the state of Ohio.
Toughman is inherently dangerous with or
without commission sanctioning because the participants are not properly
trained and conditioned. Toughman is an event where people of any shape,
size, or physical condition are allowed to put on boxing gloves and try to
knockout the other person. Although there are three weight categories most
participants fall into just one broad weight category. That means
mismatches and deadly contests, as a match can consist of a 6’ 5” 400 lb
participant against a 5’ 7” 185 lb participant. Toughman gives these
participants 3 tries, one minute each, to fire off as many blows targeting
their opponents head.
Toughman is nothing more than a carnival
shenanigans game. You are promised is that it will be safe and fun and you
can win money, up to $50,000, a jacket and a trophy. What you do not know
if you are walking into a mismatch. Your opponent could be a professional
boxer, have trained for months, received avoidance training, neck strength
training, hardened hand-wraps, and endurance training that could kill. The
IG’s report contains the facts demonstrating this. Further more, Art Dore
considers a death to be part of the show. “I’ve done thousands of these
shows, and it’s tragic, but these things just happen.” So Art Dore in this
statement demonstrates an understanding of how a death “just happens” and
that he further understands that there is a high risk to the participants.
Just why is it that I call shenanigans on
Toughman? For just one example, Toughman published rules state that a
contestant must live within 75 mile of the event. Steve Burress lived over
250 miles yet was allowed to participate. They just overlooked the city on
the number of forms he signed. This shows that Toughman will continue to
disregard any rule when they can get away with it and when it suits their
needs.
The Toughman organization knowingly
wants to construct the conditions for dramatic knockouts for the purpose of
entertainment. It is this conditions that can lead to serious brain injury
and death. Safety is not a concern in the prior years nor is it now. This
is clear by the actions of the Toughman organization. They continue to
demonstrate they are not interested in the safety of the participants.
I am asking again that you take action against
brawling and unregulated combative sporting events. I ask again that you do
bring legislation that is in line with the leading commission around the
country. I ask you to please act, 24 states, including leading commissions
and official in Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania have passed
legislation that puts safety above entertainment.
The US Congress has passed national
legislation to protect only professional boxers NOT amateur boxers.
We must protect amateur boxers in our own state from being used. If
professional boxers deserve national oversight don’t you think new and
experienced amateur boxers deserve at least the same levels of safety. For
honest, honorable, fair and safe competition bring new legislation to your
state banning these types of elimination contests.
If you find or hear about problems or issues
with any combative sport email me at
admin@combativesports.org.
Hell even if you want to sound off.....
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And what ridiculous response... Now Steve
Cooper is president...Please!!
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