 Gregory Scott (r) delivers a powerful right hook leveling Kenneth Schull during the organized fight at the National Guard Armory in Boone Friday hosted by James and George Hines. Photo by Holt Menzies |
by EDWARD SZTUKOWSKI
News Reporter
Fists flew Friday and Saturday night at the Toughest & Baddest Brawl located at Boone’s National Guard Armory.
The Toughest & Baddest Brawl is a boxing match set up every year by James and George Hines, who started the contest 19 years ago.
The fight features locals who sign up to fight, as well as people who have previous experience with boxing.
The winner of the fight receives $1,800 and, of course, bragging rights.
The fight appeals to the community because there is a good chance you will recognize a fighter, George Hines said.
The
brawl consisted of 11 matches, with each match split up into three
one-minute rounds. At the beginning of each match, the fighters would
come out and talk with their corner men, who managed the blue and red
corner.
The
first fight set the standard for the rest of the night—one round into
the match and the blue corner was already bruised and bloodied.
The fights continued in the same manner, quick and relentless. One
fight ended after about 10 seconds, when a fighter dislocated his right
ankle.
Many of
the fights were evenly matched, with fighters trading punches and jabs
with the occasional grapple. Some of the fighters who came out swinging
quick in the first round looked exhausted by the third round, many of
them throwing half-hearted punches until the round ended.
While
the fights may seem violent and unsuitable for children at first
glance, James Hines said, families come and see the sportsmanship of
the fighters and safety precautions set up by the organizers.
“We
started in 1990 and have been going strong,” he said. “I’m proud we’re
one of the last events you can bring your kids to. It’s a wholesome
event.”
James Hines said by the time families sit down and watch the fights, their previous perceptions are different.
“Some
people think it’s going to be something that gets out of hand,” he
said. “It sometimes is organized chaos, but we’re strict on who we let
in.”
Curtis
“BamBam” Brinkley, who started fighting when he was 15, was the corner
man for the red corner. Brinkley runs a fighting gym in China Grove,
N.C. called Full Force Fighting Team. He offers training for boxing,
kickboxing and cage fighting.
Brinkley has been working with the Hines’ for 10 years and says he always gets excited for the Toughest & Baddest Brawl.
“This stirs my blood,” Brinkley said. “I’ve been around for awhile, but now I’m in the cage and I’m still competing.”
The
fights were heavy with audience support and participation. Members were
invited up to carry signs that designated the rounds, and many friends
of participants took the opportunity to support their favorite fighter.
Ashley
N. Zachary, freshman health care management major and Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) member, came to see her friend, who fought in a
match, as well as for the entertainment value.
“[The
best part is] watching the fight, being supportive and screaming my
head off,” Zachary said. “I’m going to be hoarse tomorrow.”
The bruises and cuts paid off in the end for three of the competitors who split the $1,800 prize.
Gregory
Ivester took home the heavyweight title, Ross Toblassen took the light
heavyweight title and Gabriel Williams took the middleweight title.
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