by Steve Shanafelt on 01/30/2007

Related topics: Asheville Civic Center, toughman

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Living in a place like downtown Asheville, it can be kind if easy to lose perspective on what the rest of the country finds entertaining. Sure, there are those of us who like to dissect the latest arthouse flick, debade hidden bias in Chomsky’s latest tome, and spend the odd somber evening taking in a butoh performance. And yet, there are those who prefer their distractions to be less erudite, and more ... well ... concussed.

Hence, the Original Toughman Contest.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, the Toughman Contest is a kind of amateur boxing event. The event tours across the country, offering cash prizes to violence-inclined locals who are willing to duke it out in three, one-minute rounds. The fighting is fast, furious and brutal. As unforgiving as the matches can be, there seems to be no shortage of would-be Toughmen (and Toughwomen) willing to take on the challenge.

There’s something almost charming about the Toughman Contest. Forget the claim that it’s a street-level sport; the heavy-handed brawling of a Toughman bout is usually a far cry from the “sweet science” of professional boxing. Yet, for good or ill, it appeals to that most basic human urge: to watch other people getting hurt. From gawking kids at a school yard scrap to rubbernecking drivers rolling past the scene of a traffic accident, if blood is being spilled, people will swarm to see it.

On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3, the Asheville Civic Center will host the Original Toughman Contest. Tickets range from $15 to $40, and are available through Ticketmaster.

For those interested in throwing down, the official home page of the Toughman Contest has an online application, and here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know:

• Fighters are broken down into several weight classes. Fighters are also broken down into the following divisions: Sub-novice (no previous experience), Novice (1-10 previous bouts), Open (more than 10 previous bouts).
• Each bout consists of 3-one minute rounds with a 1 minute rest period. 3-knockdown rule and standing 8 counts are in effect.
• Bouts are strictly boxing. No biting, no wrestling, no head butting, no kicking.
• Fighters must be at least 18 years old, and must undergo a pre-fight physical. A doctor and EMT’s are present ringside during the event.
• No professional fighters or amateurs with more than 5 wins in the last 5 years.
• Judges use the 10 point must system with points awarded for aggression, power, number of hits, defense, etc.
• Fighters must wear 16 oz. gloves, head gear, groin protection and mouthpieces.

- Steve Shanafelt, A&E reporter