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Toughman Con. AdoreAble ProCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM May 31, 2001 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager AdoreAble Promotions, Inc. - Toughman Contest You had requested that City staff provide background information on the AdoreAble Promotions, Inc. request to have a Toughman Contest at the Five Flags Center. Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence has prepared the background information. I look forward to Mayor and City Council policy direction on this matter. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM May 29, 2001 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Gil D. Spence, Leisure Services Manager Toughman Contest INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you with some background information on Toughman Contests held at the Five Flags Center and why they are no longer allowed. DISCUSSION In February 1991, a Toughman/Toughman Contest was held at the Five Flags Center. These are elimination boxing toumaments where money is awarded to the winners. Several of these events were held in the past and proved to be good revenue generators for the Center. A promoter sponsors and conducts these events with Five Flags involved only as renter of the arena, During this event in 1991, Mr. Dan Vondran was seriously injured. The City Council became concerned about the City's liability for such events and adopted the attached ordinance on April 17, 1991, prohibiting professional boxing elimination tournaments within the City of Dubuque. Adore Able Promotions, Inc. is asking to put on the exact type of event the ordinance prohibits. When Acting Civic Center Manager Jamie Blum turned down the event, she did so because of the ordinance. If you have any further questions, please let me know. GDS:et attachment ORDINANCE NO. -9! AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING TO CHAPTER 33 A NEW SECTION 33-14 PROHIBITING PROFESSIONAL BOXING ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, finds and declares that injuries have occurred to persons participating in boxing elimination tournaments, and that those injuries have proven to be serious in nature; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, to protect the health, welfare, and safety of persons within the city of Dubuque; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. The City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Section 33-14: Section 33-14. Prohibited. Professional Boxing Elimination Tournaments (a) For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) "Professional boxing" means a boxing contest or exhibition, open to the public for which any principal or contestant is paid. (2) "Elimination tournament" means a boxing contest or exhibition in which contestants box one another, two (2) at a time, with one (1) contestant being eliminated from the tournament. This elimination continues, with winners from the various bouts competing until only one (i) contestant remains undefeated in the weight division. (b) No person shall promote, participate in, or allow professional boxing that is part of an elimination tournament within the city of Dubuque. Southern Toughman Office 1400 Brookwood Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 (501) 664-1118/(501) 664-6171 Fax 1-800-Tuf-G,ys May31,2001 The Honorable Mayor Terry Duggan 2428 Beacon Hill Dubuque, IA 52003 Dear Mayor Duggan, By this date you should have received a letter of endorsement from Larry Dawson with the Iowa Boxing Commission. Enclosed you will find several other reference letters we had in the files. I think you can see that a variety of sources can give testament to the safe and entertaining events promoted by Adoreable Promotions, Inc. From other state boxing commissions, including Iowa to the United States Amateur Boxing Commission, from sponsors to boxing champion and legend Sean O'Grady, the letters indicate a great deal of respect for not only the parent company but the Toughman Contest itself. I am also enclosing a chart which illustrates the differences in our Toughman Contest and other forms of boxing - and the primary difference is our superior safety requirements. The remaining differences are part of our showmanship - and we hope you and the City Council will watch the FXNetwork. Our third hit season will resume in August! I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the enclosed information or the event in general. I am also sending a brochure that further describes the event. We would like to add Dubuque to our 100+ show schedule for the upcoming season and we believe that like Sioux City or Burlington, Iowa (which have already hosted a television episode of the Toughman Contest Championship Series on the FXNetwork), Dubuque would be an excellent site for an upcoming show. You can reach me at the southern Toughman Office by calling me at 501,664-1118 or feel free to contact the company president, Wendy Dore at the number below. Respectfully, Lydia Robertson Market Coordinator Cc: Wendy Dore, President ~r 900 Harry Truman Parkway ¢r P.O. Box 9 ~ Bay City, Michgan 48707 Phone (517) 684-8410 ~: 1-888-868-4462 -~- Fax (517) 684-4173, www.toughmancontest.com Office of the Iowa Athletic Commissioner A-gust 17, 2000 To 'Whom It May Concern: Adoraable Prodnctions Incorpora~d (A.P_I.) and ic, i ~s~r Ad~, ~ ~d, have ~n promoting Toughm~ Cun~s~ in ~wa for ~proxim~ly ~cmy y~. ~ring ~ ~dod of time t~ Iowa ~le[~ ~mmissi~ h~ f~nd ~ to ~ vc~ profession~ in ~ir apish m ~c pmmodon of ~ elim~ioa ~xing t~a~nm. Iowa w~ ~e of~e firg ~ssions in t~e nation ~ sanction T~m~ ~d ~opt ml~ to rogaine there. Over th~ years A.P.L has made suggese:d role changes, which have lca~p the rules current; bat no matter what the mica wot~ A.P.L has <ways -adju.sted their ~ow to adhere to theto. For this, the Iowa cotomissioa is grateful to Art Dore and his staff. With very few exc,.-ptions, Toughman has always enjoyed v~ry good attendance to their shows in Iowa. Like any form of e. nter~ainment ar Choy went through a fallow period when attendance was down b~t since the FX network b~gan carrying some of thc shows attendance figures have risen. Should yOu or anyone have queslions regarding the T~mghman Contests and the [ow'-, Athletic Commission, please feel flee to contact me at 5 [ 5 2g 1-3656. KLVi' KYKR-KKMY-KIOC TO: FROM: DATE: RE: JENNL~'ER FISH / ON THE MOVE ADVERTISING CLAYTON RICHA~ / CLEAR CI-IANNEL COMMUNICATIONS DECEMBER 12, 2000 I'HE TOUGE[MAN CON ['EST JEi~riFER, I JUST WANTED TO SAY "THANKS" FOR ALLO~VING KICKER 95.1 AND BIG DOG 106 PROMOTE THIg 2001 MILLER LITE OFFICIAL TOUGttMAN CONTEST IN BEAUMONT TEXAS. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH A.P.L FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE TOUGH1VLMN CONTEST BP, iNGS TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT TO THE BEAUMONT TEXAS MARKET. TH]g EVENT ALSO GIVES OUR LISTENERS MANY DIFFERENT CHANCES TO WIN TICKETS TO THE EVENT. THE TOUGtEVIAN CONTEST IS UNIQUE IN THE WAY IT ALLOWS LOCAL, EVERYDAY PEOPLE BE A WINNER. I HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE A MERRY CHRISTM_AS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. WE'LL SEE YOU JANUARY 5TM AaND 6TM. CLAYTON RICHARD / CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS A Service of AMFM, Inc. Post Office Box 5488 - Beaumont, Texas 77726 (409)896-5555 o (800)329-9595 o Fax (409) 896-5500 P-O~ 8ox 1~60 Fr-~ort, Ken'm~:~y 40602 ADORABI~ PROMOTIONS 500 HARRY TRUMAN PARKWAY BAY CITY, .MICHIGAN 49707 To Whom It May Contain: Kemmcky Athletic Commission ~ Square ~aza 254~ 8e~mon~ A~. Phone: ~0) 742-5120 F,;~c ('330) 742-2571 Slate of Ohio OHIO A'I ILETIC COMMISSION August ~8, 2000 To whom it mt' concern: The Stale of Ohio.~as worked wkh Adore, Able Promotions/'or the pa~ f=w years. I ~ them to be a well established promotional colporation which is orgwni~ed in the busine..ss ofwha~ they are promoting. They bring ~'~at entertainment co the State of Ohio whic~ always draws large crowds and suflicYnt gate tax. They are in well standing with the State of Ohio Attgetic Commi-,~sion. If you would have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact my ot~ce at 330-742- 5120. Execute Director star~ of Ohio Athletic Commission STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMM£1RCE AND INSURANCE BOXING & RACING 500 JAMES-ROBERTSON PARKWAY, 2ND FLOOR NASHVILLE. TENNESSEE 37243. I PHONE: 61§-741-2,384 MEMORANDUIVl TO: To Whom it May Concern FROM: Tommy W. Patrick, Administrator of Boxing & Racing DATE: August 18, 2000 SUBJECT: Adoreable Promo~ons Adoreable Promotions has been holding ~heir evems. The Toughma~ Con.-t, ~ for ~ y~. ~oet ~s ~e we ~ve ~ ~m ~c S~e ~g Co~i~ ~ve. Adorable ~mofi~ to ~ v~ ~. com~t. Throughout the y~ars, they have provided gr~at entertainmenl in ~e various areas of our stale in which ~¢y promote ,.heir shows. Each year th~ draw a good crowd, aixi the fans and participams look forward to their return ~e fo~l?wing year. We look forward to many more years of Adore. able Promotions promoting their type of entertainmem in TenneSsee. P.O. Box ~2157 Aus~n, Texas 78711 f512J475.2875 FAX (E12J4S3-1375 August 22, 2000 To Th~ Calil'ornia Commi.~sion: T -.~s~ I~e~:}~:i~.??fe~_ ~o_ .A_d..oF?hie Pror~0tjons: h~v~dpr~N~. hm~ ~ holding · =::m~y~:~b~~.-.::~:::5;:=-:~=...-L;~.-: _ :_.:~5:~:5::~ --::::' ~,~::;::~;8~i~=:4'r~; ? ~:::~;~':'"": ;:;':'::=::;:!~;: ...... '~;-;7::::%~:~:~;~-:.:;~: ' ' MUEHL~'NBECK DISTRIBU'T~NG COMPANY May ;.4. 2gUI TOPIC: 'FOUGL~L~N CONTEST or,mr target audicn~. The Dote F~mily really g~s thc ex~ra y~rd m ~mure t~cir spons~ get a bang fi~r their buck. : hi~t} rec~3mmgnd &c Dore Family and 'ruughm~ ~ gt~t pccpfc to do busiacx~ with. 810 N. Tewa'line Real · P-O. 8o.~ 2046 ·$aginaw. MI 4~$05 0 (517) 753-2~14 APt T~ Whom It May C~mcern: As the cokn' con.,~-:~or of Thc Original Touglunan Gomest. which is broadcast on the l"X nctwork. I havc begr~ ab~ to olzmrv~ first .h~d thc lx~o fcs$ionalism ami attcntion to ~li~y Ihal the ~ W'ah m,/rmny ~ of ~--;i~nce intbc world of boxing, ~ included winning the WB^ l.ig~ u~ht CMmp~mhip..sen,tag as an amtyr4 and cok,r commauator for :may nctwo~ i. ciuding thirteen y~rs as USA's Tucgl~ N ig~ l-'q~ht's boxing analyra. I ~1 mn e. xl~cr ccd and qu~lif~d m o;r~ an al.~,,,.~ opinion regaling T~e Original Adore. Able Pmmmions. the company that I)romotcs tie Touglnnan Come~a m,t ,,nb' provides tf~: hi ,gh~ level ut'safety fxcr. antior, s, but ~ thc highest Icvcl of em~m~t during Iht. se eve~s. ! '.'~uld recommend The (~-i~inal Toughman Conte~t to venues. · a-"'~-~:~-C COMMISSION As you. knc~ when we were fi-s: presented wi~_h ! ~li~ TouKb~ shows ~ a: ~! ~d the f~ ~ ~ at ~ d~ shes, ~ avay ~ppy. A~, I ~= ~o'~ you ~ y~ ~ ~r worSE so wa~ wi~ ' P~t9. Z5 ~ ~.~.:Sl.~ Pt Auoou~t 21, 2000 TO: FROM: Whom it may concern Gary Richards, I~. Chn~.FF:css. ~vflchlgan Association-USA Boxing, 4550 Counm/Way W. sasin~w, ~,~. 45603-I008 ! ! i I i ! ! i A B O X I N G, I N C. ............. [~-be~i~ pe~analty ~volvecl {n ~ of ~e~ ~cms, I h~ no~c~ lhe~ ev~a conduct~ ~th ~he u~o~ prof~io~ ~d ~t~, Bosom ~nc for ~ ~cn~q ig the ~d conc~ tBr ~e box~ Ple~ note ~t ~t ~mc~ ~c ~ phy~ by a ~c~ physi~ both prior to ~d lo,owing ~t ~ucq, and the doctor is p~smt at ~g~e dung ~ bom. Ail box~ ~ 16 om ~ov~, 12 om he~ge~ ~ ~e ~ul~ m box a m~ of ~ one-~ute rounds. Th~ c~ ~als in ~ ~g (~e r~) ~e ~ose only with · x~m w~ h~y und~sr~ t~ t~s is a "~m", ~d not a Hvelyhood, and ~ su& ~v, boxes s~e~ in mind ~ order to m;n{~ inju~(ies). U~ke USA Boxing ~oned and prof~onat events t~t s~*d~e mt~s ~r 2 ~d 3 maut~ p~ rau~ A.B.&~ ~v~I~ ~* o~y on~te ro~ds wM~ in it~l~ts iuju~(ies). Coupl~ ~ the s~ ~or oEt~ t6 oz ~o~ (wMch ~re 4, 6 ~d S oun~ h~ ~n · u~ ~ USA Bo~ng ~d ~m~es~onal ms~ch~), ~s ~k oF h~d ~u~ ~om~ ~ less re~ding h~d ~j~ in ~e~on to ~ts ~ ~br~sions ~hat ~r ~hout the use of heaflE~. ~j~ st~isfi~ p~e th~ ~B.A.A. even, s ~= ~ f~v~ injuries t~ do ~Ih~ t~ mat~ USABo~ngm~h~, orpro~on~ ev~ts. Wi~ these ~ ~ ~ I ~r one, ~ ~ ~t y~r gov~inff b~ ~d~ events ~ a ~e ~d ~cithg ~Rioa to yo~ ~dy ~ ov~l bo~g ! I I i I I I I I Hooks Mayor Nelson Lively practices hitfing the mRts being held by his son, Jacob, while training outside their home. Lively, who won the Toughman Contest at Four States. Fairgrounds in 1997, has signed up to fight again in the tournament .this weekend. ~ by ~ ~ Cohn City 'H all 'fig hts 'back Hooks Mayor Lively will spar in Toughman Contest ByLEWK. COHN p.m. Thuzsday. Top ~i,~ ~' I~¢ takc ~ in eno~cr'Toughman ?ribuae Editor Toughn~n Cpn~s~ i~ $1~X). Con~. Lively hes been u~ining HOOI~- L.m~ M~y, L~vely ~rew his ha~ in ~he rlng to mn f~ may~ of Hooks --and Ma~or Live~ now hop~ nual Quad $,~,u~ Budweiser - Tougt,,nan Con,st a~ ~he C~u~-in Te~ Ark. Lcgcnds Oym in Tcx~ -, ~ hard with his neighlx~ and fellow City Cou~ilinnn Randy Penny. "Wc get up at 5:30 a.m. just so we cm unin,' Lively said. "I can't get any other fin~ to unin becaus~ l'm busy eitimer withmy own busi- ness or witl~ city I~t~in~ss. so I daiica~ my m~ings to .tr~ing. "Randy hes been v~'y su~- i~,~ of m~ end I ov~ him a 1o~ for hdping me out. H~ is i1~ ~ who hes lnwcked' on fl~ door when ! didn't want m 8~t up in ~e mom- redes and includes qui~ a bit of w~gt, tr~ang end sue.~ condi- See LIVEL~ ps~e 14 LiVely *I work ou diffcrcat body pans ~or I I/2 hom~** he said. "I might bcnch or squat or do cutts or work on my uiccps or my legs. I also hi~ ~ are offer qualities it figh~r must hav~ if h~ wants to wn ~h~ Toughman Conte~ Lively smi& 'Iusi because yOU get ~ do~n't mean you're going to stay l~" Livoly said. 'You've got to have heart. Son~ of thes~ guys do and some of ~hem don't have wha~ it {aP, as. I've seen guys come down They g~m h~re, s~,e ~h- offer fight- e~S, and l~ave iha next day. hard to ge.i ready far r. his. If some- ou~ bmls me, uhey beaz m~, bui Ira going to ma~ flmem wu,k for ia I dou'i have anything io prOve. oilier dina s~ing if I can do tiffs. I gumrar,~ I will give it my bcs~.* la 1997, Lively fough~ in five mashes, winuing ail five ~o u~ d~ Toughman ,{de. His £~ fight ~ F~iday nighi was an I8-se~- oud k~ou~, fo~ing him to ~ four fim~ ~ $~,,~lay. In his championship hau~ flma~ y~ar, flm~ losiug fighter's mou'~r jumped imo ~h~ ring and ~y m ~ ~ ~ *quit h~g h~ ~y." ~y~d~~ ~v~, ~ ~ng ~ ~ w~ ~ ~ a T~ ~vely h~ ~ ~ a ~ of a ~an~g Hwp I~ Up ~y ~ *You ~me~ I~to~ ~ ~m~ ~ ~ ~d w~ wia ~ng ~ ~," ~ ~H: ~ j~ ~'t ~ ~y of ~ fi~g T~ ~ ~a~fi~ ~. Ij~ aumdance u'fis v~kend will Ix~ Saudersou's F.~.m,3y and cveua board m~uber, Sammy Agner, from ~h¢ s~hool disu~-~ in Flodda whe~ Sandem:~ was a coach. Working ~ ~ f~ ~y 1~ ~ ~ ~L ~V~. ~ ~g hb ~ip y~ 1997. ~:- ~ f~ ~ T~ F~y~~ To~ ~ ~ ~l f~ SHv~ C~ $14 f~ ~. MWoF Nehmn L~h~y during Thurm:lm~s vmigh-ln ~ ~he Legend~ Gym. TIm-G-fQo~7 LhmlY wsig~d in ~t 3~ pounds. BackmrS--' more Former champ takes, on new challengers in Quad State Toughman Contest By LOUIE AT~RY Hooks isn~ ~ a~d Nelson Live~ In TV T~,,a there's rer-~- of ~e ~- was four years ai~) when I wml,' Lively said. ~i don't really Imow how my ill~ess Saturday durin~ the 15th --,,ual quad ~ .pet~. ~ is wo~ed, about tds eom- State Budweiser 'l~-L~,m-n ~ at the WHO'S THE TOUGHEST OF' THEM. ALL? Hooks Mayor Nelson Uvely ¢ockbd tbe'~ouse SatUrday'night With a TKO of Roger Jordan of Nashville, Ark., dudng the Tougnman Contest. Lively won- the hea .v~w. eigint true. He also. won in 1997. See other photos .on Pag~ 10. WHO~S THE TOUGHEST OF THEM ALL? Hooks Mayor Nelson Live .ly rocked the house Saturday'night with a TKO of Roger Jordan of Nashville, Ark., dudng the Toughman Contest. Uvety won the heavyweight title. He also won in 1997. Soo other photos on Page 10. 15th annual Quad'States Toughman Contest Staff photos by ROBB PFFTARD Who's the toughest of them ail? Many competed; but in the end Hooks Mayor Nelson Lively and New Boston High School baseball pitcher Chris Abercrombie took home top Toughma ; honors Hooks Mayor Nelson LJvely is given some last-m~nute aOwce betoce stepping into the ring Saturday night by retired American League umpire gurw0od Merrill. Lively went on the become the heavyweight champion atthe 15th annual Quad-State Budweiser Toughman Contest. Nelson Uvely, right, poses with his cornerman Ourwood Merrill and the trophy he won in' the Toughman Contest this past weekend. Lively wins-Toughman heavyweight division Ea~tor'~ Note: Thz following ~ a ~ about Hooks Mayer Nelson Lively. who won the Tonghman Can~ heavy~ight divi~n Satarday night. A sega- rate story.v~ll appear on light hzavyweight winner Ciu"is Abercrom~. an 18-year-old nior at New Boston High School. in oar Sanday edkion. By LEW K. EOHN Tr/batte Editor took t~me off from working on pou~oles in the sa~ts and t~ fl~i$ past weel~nd to Lively was cm~vn~t heav~- weight ~hampian at the lSth an- nual- Budweis~ Quad Smtas Toughmon Contest Saturday night at the Four Statm Fair. fight~r (at ag~ 42) t~ cv~ win He duo,cleated ~ feat he complished in 1997 and was able ~o ful~ll a promi~ to win the chzmpionship in memov] of hie a'iand. Mark 5ande~on, who was ~lb~]. last September in a flo~se- beck riding accidant. What is surprising is that the 6- [~et-?, 33S-pound Lively did so despim battling a 104-deg~e retail sc~e tluoat for much of~e week before the evant ti,at nearly kept him oux of ¢omped,lc~. "My ultimate guai was to win the Toughm~n and t did iL bu~ ! was n~g a~ my best out ~ere/said Lively. ~! was notable to give 100 pe~.ant of what ~ can. 'I di~'t say anything to any- one about being sick ~efo~e I fought b,',~,,~e I didn't want any- ane to aay I was maldng an cx- c~se. e~aHy if I lost. It' I had See LIVELY page 12 Inet, I nm;er' would have ev~ · mentioned it. ~ 1~7. R~a~m~- ~f~~~ ~ ~y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~fi~n. ~ ~ I0 ~d fi~ ~a~ ~y's ~w~ ~y~a~ A~~tf~ ~Bego~ d~ tourney. Willie told me it took him four ~a m get ove~what I had done m him in 1997.' Lively said. 'He said he Finally entre, ed die c~mest this year. and the~e I was again." Lively won a-nnnimous deci- sion in Iris fight on Samrdny ased his body and his reash m do damage m Mathis. who weighed in at 6-5, 260 "I~ is a good fighter and he fought a good fight, l~t I hit him with some tantly good shots." Lively said. 'The crowd was probably expec~ng anther head. I~.ead, I l~t hitdng body.' ' ' The championship bout was agnins~ Todd ~ ~ To- Tonghman veteran and an ploye~ at die Federal Com~c- · Sast a few days berate the toamamenL Lively and Nelson to e~pec~ of -_~-~_ oahet going imo 'By ~fis ~'ne, I was trying to got to aha ~hlrd round, my body was not wan~g to respond." Lively ,~: 'I knew I was going to have m survive dm:mgh the round, T~ fight so~ of mined into a sheet fight widi bo~ of as tl~owing punche~ 'Todd was ready m fight and he put an a good fig~. He span out a lot and wouldn~ let me gatgh him on die l~es.* Liv~y was awarc~ a split da. ¢~iou over Nelsou, mn~'~g his i'ust t'mais ap~ '1~'¢ want ~oe to ~oe oat ~he~e and it was a-p~ ~ouSh Todd NeLmon said. "I gave k the be~ I cou!d out th~ and felt I could win, but I bel~ Nelson of us have a lot of ~.~pect for asch Lively said his comerman in focas m ~ the toumaman~ can~ om: to SUl~ hini, espe- t~y ~ -~all~*S Fsmily 'Ilmt really meant a lot to me to see me*fight,' he said. 'After sai~ Tl~ one's for you. MatC I FROM:ON THE MOUE 5016646171 TO: 15195890890 .P:~xR IoI mo~ eBvebPi~~ · · Slay /r"-Tx' The Original TOUGHMAN CONTEST Did you know tha~.. Back~round Art Dom in Bay City, Michigan started the Toughman Contest in 1979 and although his daughter Wendy Dore now runs the company, Art still serves as the ring announcer for many of the shows. The Toughmen Contest holds just over 100 shows per year around the country and presents one show per year at each of its host towns. The Toughman Contest is basically "Golden Gloves for grown ups" and is designed to give the armchair athlete a chance to test himself or herself in a boxing ring. Toughman boasts the best safety record among the sport of boxing, thanks to its short rounds, safety gear, and management of the events. Toughman has had over 75,000 contestants compete in the events since its inception in 1979. This means that in America, Toughman represents almost one-third of all boxing events held. Fame Through their start in the Tougbanan Contest, the event has produced such notables as Mr. T (now you know what the "t" stands for!), Tommy Morrison, Christy Martin (known as the world's best pound-for-pound female boxer), and Butterbean, the King of the four rounders. There is a Sega Genesis and a Nintendo game of the Toughman Contest where contestants try their "virtual" hand at defeating Butterbean. Twentieth Century Fox made a movie in the 80's about the Toughman Contest entitled "Tough Enough" that starred Dennis Quaid and featured Warren Oates as Art Dore. The Toughman Contest debuted as a weekly television series on Friday nights on the FX Network in July 1999, and has just been renewed for its second season thanks to runaway ratings, Continued... -k 900 Harry Truman Parkway -A- P.O. Box 9 -A- Bay City, Michgan 48707 -~- Phone (517) 684-8410 -*: 1-888-868-4462 -k- Fax (517) 6844173 "Jr www.toughmancontest.com ~ TOughman-Did you know... Page 2. Rules The Toughman Contest created the format of"short rounds and big gloves" as a divergent format for boxing in order to allow a safe, entertaining event that features sub-novice amateur fighters. The parent company for the Toughman Contest has worked mound the country, to have this unique combination recognized by many state-boxing commissions and has protected its name and format through trademark and trade dress law. Fighters go three one-minute rounds, wearing the big 16-ounce gloves, padded headgear, and a kidney protector. Three judges using the standard boxing lO-point must system score each bout. No biting, no kicking, no grappling permitted. Standard boxing roles are enfomed witkin the ring by licensed referees. Fighters who have had more than five sanctioned amateur wins in the last five years are ineligible to compete in Toughman, as are fighters who have ever had a professional fight. Fighters compete once on Friday night and remm Saturday to eliminate down within their weight bracket untiI a winner is chosen in each division. JIM BAUER Toughman Public Relations Phone 989-684-8400 Fax 989-684-41-73 ART DORE "Toughman World Championship" Series Founder and Announcer and CEO of Dore and Associates Contracting Art Dom was a farm boy from Bay City, Michigan, but the drudgery of milking cows and hauling hay lacked excitement, so the 16-year old turned to boxing. Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Jake LaMotta were exciting to the aspiring boxer. Dore fought his way up the ranks of the Golden Gloves and then had to give it up in his early 20's to concentrate on his newly formed contracting business, however, boxing was always his first love. Art formed the Dore Boxing Club as soon as he could and began promoting amateur fights in the Bay City area and eventually began promoting professional fights. Dore tells the story of how he became fed up with listening to the armchair athletes talk about how "they could beat that guy." So, one weekend, he and longtime friend Dean Oswald rented a local arena and opened it up to the guys who wanted to prove how tough they were. The boxing fans had the opportunity to see what they really wanted: the hometown boys and the seasoned street fighters with little or no boxing skills, but lots of guts. Those first "Toughmen" were punching it out in the ring in front of their friends and family for a little fame and fortune. So it was, the first "Original Toughman" Contest was born in 1979. "Toughman" was billed as clean, down-to-earth, back-to-basics fights. There were no professionals nor fingers, just 32 big, tough guys that would get knocked down and keep coming back for more until there was only one left..., the "Toughest Man in Town." The first event sold out both nights, with standing room only, one half-hour before the doors opened. The same was tree at the second contest in Marquette, Michigan, held only a short time later. Billed as "Toughman World Championship Series," Dore's brainchild now features over 1 O0 local events throughout the United States annually. Local winners in both weight divisions (Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight) advance to a round of up to 100 competitors where they have the opportunity to move on to the national finals consisting of 16 finalists called the "Sweet Sixteen". Currently celebrating its 21st anniversary, the series has taken exciting action moving into its second season on the small screen with the FX Networks weekly primetime sports series at 10pm. Each one- hour telecast consists of the best fights and profiles of the competitors from a different city each week. In addition to serving as the founder and armouncer for "Toughman," Dore also is the chief executive officer of Dore and Associates Contracting, Inc. His company, known worldwide as a leader in demolition is also one of the leading asbestos abatement and environmental remediation firms, has razed more than 35,000 structures throughout the United States, Canada and the world. -k 900 Harry Truman Parkway -k P.O. Box 9 ¢r Bay City, Michgan 48707 Phone (517) 684-8410 -k 1-888-868-4462 ~r Fax (517) 684-4173 ~ www.toughmancontest.com o ._o. ,- c~' 0 MURRAY SUTHERLAND BIOGRAPHY Murray Sutherland is a former U.S.B.A. Light Heavyweight and Super Middleweight Champion, and former I.B.F. Super Middleweight Champion. Sutherland won the very first I.B.F. title in 1984 with a fifteen round decision over the number 1 ranked fighter, Emie Singletary. Mr. Sutherland has been involved with the sport of Boxing for over 35 years, having boxed as an amateur in his native counu'y of Scotland before imm/~-afing first to Canada, and later to the U.S.A. Murray has competed in many forms of contact sports and was the Canadian Middleweight Champion in full comact karate and was also rated third in the world in Kickbox/ng in 1977. Murray retired from professional boxing in 1986 after having compiled a record of 69 wins, 13 losses and 1 draw. Some of his losses were in World Championship Title fights against such notable opponents as W.B.A. Light Heavywei~ght Champlon Michael Spinx (twice), W.B.C. Light Heavyweight Champion Matthew Saad Mohamad, four time World Champion Thomas Hearns, W.B.O. Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Crcz, and half brother to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Robbie Sims. Sutherland was rated one of the top 10 fighters in the world for five years from 1980- 1985 and fought in many countries taking on hometown favorites in Brisbane, Australia, Seoul, South Korea and London, England. Murray is currently head trainer, for the former TouCan Hea .v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.vyweight Champion and current King of the Four Rounders, Butterbean. You can see Sutherland Friday and Saturday nights on the FX Channel at 10pm. He serves as the show's resident referee, bringing his vast knowledge of boxing to this show. Knowing what the fighters are going through in their quest to become Toughman Champion is part of what makes Murray the referee that FX most enjoys in the ting. He is fair to both contestants and focuses on safely when it comes to the fighters. ~ 900 Harry Truman Parkway :~ P.O. Box 9 ~r Bay City, Michgan 48707 Phone (517)684-8410 -. 1-888-868-4462 ~ Fax (517)684-4173 ~r www.toughmancontest.com Murray Sutherland FX Resident Referee Former IBF Super Middleweight World Champion ERIC "BUTTERBEAN" ESCH Former Toughman Champion 33 years old ~ 6' tall ~ 313 lbs Trainer- Murray Sutherland Manager ~ Art Dore Butterbean (which is now his legal name) was a mobile home worker in Jasper. Alabama when his buddies talked him into fighting in his first Toughman Contest. He weighed over the 400-pound limit, so he went on a two-week butterbean diet. He dropped some weight, kept the moniker, and won the local contest with impressive K.O.'s. The rest, as they say, is history. As the local champion, Butterbean traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1993 to represent his state in the Toughman World Championship held at the Taj Mahal. After five tough fights with other area champions, Butterbean was featured in the finals against Scott "The Hammer" Biskner. In the second round of their fight, Butterbean sustained a nasty cut over his left eye and between the second and third round, the ringside doctor wanted to stop the ftght that would have given Biskner the championship. Butterbean pleaded with the doctor to let him fmish the fight, telling him 'Tll knock him out." The doctor relented, [et the fight continue and Butterbean came very close to fulfilling his promise. The decision was close, but Butterbean lost a split decision. The 1994 World Championships were held at the M.G.M. Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Sixty-four area champions traveled to Las Vegas to try and capture the $50,000 prize, and the title of the Toughest Man in the World. Again Butterbean fought his way to the finals, beating his foe from the previous year in the semi-final bout. Butterbean lost in the final fight, again on a split decision, with most ringside observers thinking Butterbean had won the fight. At this-point he decided that it was time to switch to professional boxing and go after a World Title. Relocating from his hometown of Jasper, AL to Bay City., MI in February t995, Butterbean no~v has a professional record or 55 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws. When people ask him why he switched from Toughman contests to Professional Boxing his reply is, "Tyson won't fight in a Toughman Contest". Butterbean has set his sights on the most impressive heavyweight in the last ten years. Mike Tyson and is still awaiting that opportunity. Butterbean has been featured on several national television shows such as "Phil Donahue," "Current Affair." the "Rosanne Show." the "Martin Short Show" and has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno several times. He has also been featured in national publications like U.S.A. Today, Sports Illustrated The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times Magazine. Butterbean frequently fights on Top Rank boxing cards as well as in other major events featured on HBO. Shov~t/me, ESPN and Pay-Per- View. The Official Burterbean Fan Club P.O. Box 146 - Bay City - MI- 48707 E-mail: Bean fanclub(&~home.net Web Page: ww'w.cwstalcourt.net/butterbeanfanclub ~r 900 Harry Truman Parkway ~ P.O. Box 9 ~r Bay City, Michgan 48707 Phone (517)684-8410 * 1-888-868-4462 ¢r Fax (517)684-4173 ~ www.toughmancontesLcom Eric "Butterbean" Esch King of the 4-Rounders TOU HMAN HAVE WE G.~I' A SHOW FOR YOU TOUGH1VIAN A History Art Dom was a farm boy from Bay City, Michigan. The drudgery of milking cows and haul- ing hay lacked excitement so six- teen year old Art turned to boxing. Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Jake Lamotta - they were excil~ng! Art Dore fought his way up the ranks of Golden Gloves and then had to give itup in his early 20's to concentrate on his newly formed contracting business. But boxing was always his first love, and as soon as he was able, he formed the Dore Boxing Club and began promoting amateur fights in the Bay City area, and then eventually professional fights. Dore tells the story of how he just got fed up with listening to the armchair athletes talk about how'"they coulda' beat that guy.' So one weekend he and long-time friend Dean Oswald rented a local arena and opened it up to the guys who wanted to prove how tough they were. The boxing fans got to see what they really wanted: the hometown boys, the real amateurs, the seasoned street fighters with lit- fie or no boxing skill but lots of guts. Those £zrst Toughrnen were punching it out in the ring, in front of their friends and f~, for a little fame and fortune. So it was, the first Toughman Contest was borrz It was billed as dean. down-to-earth, back to basics fighting. No professionals. and no ringers, just 32 big tough guys that would get knocked down, and keep coming back for more until there would be only one left ... the "Toughest Man in Towr~" The fans stood in line for over an hour in snow and two degree temperatures ro get their tickets. The event sold out both nights, with standing room only within half an hour from the time the doors opened_ The same Marquette. Michigan held only a short time later. Art Dore Tonghmarl fotmden amlotmcer, and CEO of Dore & Associates Contrac~ng. Over the next two years. Dore refined the format to the safe and very entertaining production that fans now enjoy. The Tough- man Contest has the most safety precautions in the sport of boxing. Head gear and padded groin protec- tors are required as are 16-otmce gloves and mouthpieces. Pre-fight physicals, a ringside physician, and experienced referees and comer- men further insure the safety of the fighters. "The Odginal Toughman Contest has the strictest safety regu- lations and the best safety record among ail forms of boxing including amateur and professional boxing and I have been involved in ali of them." reports Murray Sutherland former I.B.E & U.S.B.A. Super Middleweight Champion. The first Toughman World Championship was held in the Sflverdome in Detroit. It drew over 30.000 devoted boxing fans from across the nation who cheered an their favorite fighters in their attempt to win the $50,D00 first prize. Toughman remains the best attended boxing event in the nation. ;afe ion Ct md ~e ~u- ng of nd he :st TOUG What Othe "If you're Iookin[ g good man, call we want to fine 'WVooooeeeeL." Welcome to the Toughman Contest, the rankest of amateur bomg events, where guys with big shoulders, big guts and big dreams get to play our their manliest fantasies. All over the U.S., men are paying an entry fee to enter some 70 Toughman Tournaments. Dormmg 16-ounce gloves-virtual pil- lows compared with the 8 to 10 ounce mitts used by the pro's- they fight up to four times a mght for two mghts run- 12dng. ~Yun know who enters this tb2ng ?' asks local Touglmmn promoter Johnny Bos. "Guys from all walks of life. We got businessmen chan~ing out of their suits. We got an actor from a local the- atre camp and a state racquetball chnm- p~or~ We got fishermen and loggers, a pair of prison guards and a convict who did 14 years. What do they all have in common? They all want to test them- selves in the ringY Says H-Bomb Hines, a blues band drummer '~th~s Toug'nmml Contest is like a dream come 2ue. It's a truly American thing. [ mear~ where else could a bunch of regular guys pay an entry fee and beat each other up with- out getting arrestedY 'The Toughman World Champion- sb2p was the most successful "made for Pay Per View" program of the year. We think ix is the most exciting, fastest growing program in our repertoire:' "The 'o~mame attxlete can compete in something that he or she previously only dreamed of doing. I can assure anyone who has not seen a Tonghman Contest they will not see more action packed rounds anywhereY continue our the coining years: the pleased to t i17) 893-1032 Tongb_man is a real would-be boxe~ * Former World He .avywe/gbt Top. Conte~lder sport- perfect for 'GHNIAN 3thers Are Saying ting for a best man, ding. If you want a ii the Marines. What qnd is the toughest 3n alive." Mr.T "25 h the allowing our 3eto ntin 7 years of the yeats! It being involved! the .pon- year, before t ~ for '~VVhen is £own?' type of advertising ~s expected ,~ter the contest ~ lames ~ylor Pres~dem Troy Ford~ Troy, Ohio /5131 849-9495 From beginning to end, the best over- all promotion that we do from year to year is the Tonghman Contest" Derails Magruder WheelLng Civic Center. Wheeling, West Virgin~ {304} 233-7000 "P r e your message, t wanted ro ver- balize some positive aspects of our asso- ciation with your events. For two years KGMY My Country has sponsored local Touglunan Events_ and found the expe- rience to be mumally beneficial These events nararally create quite a '~mlk" about town, and our station(s) share in the exposure. The tickets to the events are useful to our programming depart- ment We use thom as va/ued give- aways plus have also been able to pan- her with other advertisers, upselling them with special events (ring girl con- tests at local nightclubs, etc.). sincerely, Bmudon Carroll Tough Men Fought for Respect There are bloodstains on my notes. It seems an approp~te souvenir from watching 48 men poke, pound, and pummel each other in a boxing ring for two days just ~o be caned SpringfieId's Toughnmn Ch~nt~on. To them, there was more than money and a title riding on the competitiov. The contestants put their names and fighting reputations on the tine in order to win some money, a ~rle and maybe, most importantly, to come away with a little more pride and self-respect The chance ro be in the spotlight for a couple of days. to have a roaring crowd sit up and take notice makes the braised faces and aching arms they're all nursing today not hun quite as The News-Leacle~ Sprfiqgfmkt. MisSou~ Apffi 5 1992 TOUGH1VIAN Demographics Rges FSFF~at8 Male fi0.7% since ~ feoresenm [nme maior age gmul~s: 1B-24 [28.8%1, 25-34 [38.%1 and 35 and up TOUGH1VIAN Ring Girls From the Frost boxing matches throughout history until today, Round Card Girls have been as much a part of boxing as the fighters themselves. The round cards provide valuable advertising space as they are sure m be the center of attention of the crowd. Men hoot and holler for their favorite bikini clad women, often times to the dismay of their wives and girlfriends. However, the women get their screams in for the Ring Studs during the Toughwoman bouts. They dance, entertain, and provide a great function- without the lovely ring girls WE WOULDNq' KNOW WHAT ROUND IT IS!!! T Big blue eyes, a brignz smile, a body to die for...and a punch that will knock you out! Shannon "Dallas" Hail from Jonesboro Arkansas won the f~rst Toughwoman World Champion- ship and left big gloves to follow. Mona "the Turnip' Nelson (who originally fought in the local Texarkana eventl Debra '%~ock out" Nichols who initially entered the ring in Dalton. Georgia, and even Christy Martin trow considered the best "pound for pound" female in the world, started in Toughi~qan in West VirgLnia. These four women have all turned professional, as have many of the other Tougbmen:women competitors, but every season Tou~qrnan fans are treated zo fresh female faces entering the Toughwoman division. From talI buxom beauties to mammoth mean mamas, these women add a special PUNCH to the Toughman Contest Who is WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP' i in the World?