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First, Toughman is not a
sport it is a business. Thinking that the people behind change just want to
see amateur boxing banned is not correct. What is wanted is safe,
honorable, honest, fair and ethical amateur boxing, where no sport is being
outlawed, no personal rights are being infringed upon.
Toughman is an enterprise
organization involving multiple companies and nonprofits that hold and
sponsor unsanctioned, unregulated, and often deathly amateur boxing
matches. Toughman boxing matches have no history of common rules, or
regulations, and have no national official body that oversees the promoters,
the boxers, and the referees. Compare Toughman’s rule changes to any real
national sanctioned amateur boxing organization such as USA Boxing or Golden
Gloves and you find a lengthy history adhering to set of rules dating back
to the 1800’s.
All major sports have
national representation, such as the NFL (Football), NHL (Hockey), or MLB
(Baseball) but amateur boxing has no such national organized
representation. These major organizations fully oversee their entire
operation, overseeing the promoters, the referees and openly work towards
preventing injury. You will not find that same level of concern in the
Toughman organization.
Toughman is not about the
sport of amateur boxing, it is about making money at the expense of people.
Art Dore, the owner and creator of Toughman, says in response to the deaths
that have occurred “these thing just happen” (Herald Tribune, No Criminal
Charges in ring death, August 12, 2003). This statement is relevant
and shows that the people behind Toughman are not interested in safety.
Now that we understand
that Toughman is a business, are we picking on Toughman?
One of the primary duties
of any state is to regulate business and commerce. States generally ban or
add regulation to businesses that do not contribute to public welfare or
that are harmful to the welfare of individuals.
A few businesses such as
dog fighting or cockfighting have been outlawed. It is illegal to run your
own gambling or bookie house, or a house of prostitution. You cannot
operate your own utility in most states. You cannot sell liquor, have a
restaurant or any business without proper licensing. You cannot be a
certified public accountant, lawyer, contractor or doctor with out passing a
state test. Government creates controls on business, barriers to entry,
licensing, and operating regulations for the protection of the individual
from unscrupulous businesses. The state is doing its job by controlling
businesses, and to ensure public interest.
In the absence of any
national organizations, all states need to apply strict standards and
regulations to unsanctioned, deadly Toughman boxing contests. Is Toughman
being picked on, No; it is a business just like every other common business.
The following information contained in the
website is strictly
opinion and should not be considered as fact. Citations are
given to you for you
own purpose and ability to come to your own conclusion. These
references will assist you in answering
the question for yourself. Remember you should always question the
perspective of what is being presented. |
