Toughman entertains Convocation Center
By Brian
Rodriguez, Herald Staff
It's basically a barroom brawl with no biting, no kicking
and no cryingbut bleeding is OK. This was the opening call by
the ring announcer to start the two-day event that was The
Toughman Contest.
Four categories were held in the two-day event.
Pike "Tiny" Zack
Underman, who answered the call
for a challenger Friday night, won the fraternity division
over Sig Ep Cory "Cross" Laitner.
"The Masher" Mable Barnett won the women's
bracket by a decision against "Cowgirl" April Davis,
who also answered an open call for a challenger Friday night.
Jesse "Shotgun" Beal of Blytheville won the light
heavyweight championship with a 2-1 decision over
"Busted" Dustin Crouse of Jonesboro.
"Popeye" Bob
Pearcy, 39, of Batesville, won by
decision over former state champ and golden gloves fighter
"Wild" Wayne Hogan of Cherry Valley.
Pearcy, the oldest fighter in the tournament, was a
defensive fighter and was competing in his fifth Toughman this
weekend.
"This is my last one. I'm too old," he declared
after the victory, his fourth in two days.
The Toughman fighters had different mindsets in the fights.
Several fighters gave up during the tournament, some in the
middle of a round, to give their opponents TKO victories.
Others left the competition for injuries.
Several Friday night winners did not return for the
Saturday fights, including "Bad to the Bone" Michael
Brown, who knocked out "Crazy" Kevin Cooper in the
first round.
The best crowd-pleasers toughed it out though, including
Charlie "So Smooth" Cypret, who continued in the
semifinals while bleeding profusely through all three rounds.
Event planners used music and commentary to overshadow less
action in slower fights.
Ring announcer Justin Roberts used comedy with a want for
action to keep the crowd excited. He poked fun at the fighters
during matches. In a hold to buy time often used by
professional fighters, Roberts said, "It's a big hug.
We're all happy here Now kick his ass!"
While most fighters used anger from Roberts' taunts to fuel
their fighting, "Too Sexy" Angelica Presley was not
able to overcome his taunts. Often backing up away from
"Cowgirl" to look give dirty looks at Roberts, she
became to distracted by the comments to fight. Renamed the
"Karate Kid" for kicking, Presley chased Roberts
around the ring in a futile effort to catch the taunt master
for the night.
For a change of pace, Roberts also talked the ring girls
into dancing the Macerena and the Hokey Pokey.
In the two days of mixed fighting styles of dancing
walruses and near-professional exhibitions, Toughman onlookers
were treated to an event like no other.
Toughman promoters concider Toughman as one of the safest
sports. Toughman uses 16 oz. gloves instead of the
professional 8-10 oz. weight. Also required were mouthguards,
padded head gear and kidney guard. Medical personnel was on
hand to administer physicals and mandatory breathalizers.
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Photo by Brian
Rodriguez
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Bret "The Bulldog" Davis of
Lake City misses with a right hook as"The
Tiger" Bryan Taylor of Imboden lands a body shot.
Taylor won the Friday bout by a decision after three
one-minute rounds.
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