‘Fight Nights’ an underground tradition

This from the News-Graphic:

STAMPING GROUND — More than a dozen Stamping Ground teenagers and one 20-year-old told the News-Graphic Tuesday night that people criticizing their “Friday Fight Nights” don’t know what they’re talking about.

Friday Night Fights consists of teenagers and some young adults getting together to watch and participate in amateur boxing or wrestling matches. The events are held in a variety of locations such as barns and parking lots, and recently came to attention through video footage of the fights posted on YouTube and MySpace under “Fight Night” S.C.“Nobody has to do it,” the group said multiple times. “If you don’t think you can handle it, you can stop at any time.”

Kameron Younts, 19, said it’s safer than critics realize.“People wear mouthpieces, and gloves are worn,” Younts said. “There’s a difference between a knuckle and a padded glove.”Some said they even have fighters, who are ranked by age, height and weight, sign waivers and that they use referees during the matches.A 20-year old who said he’s been a frequent fighter said it’s been a regular event held somewhere in Scott County for the past five years.“

There are many more people watching than fighting,” a 17- year-old said.There are typically about 12 people who fight on a regular basis, they said, but anyone can sign a waiver and fight if they want to.Girls occasionally sign up to fight each other, too, they said. “It’s official, but it’s unofficial,” the 20-year-old said. “It ain’t no big deal. I think if parents watched and saw what was going on, they wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

The group estimated as many as 400 people showed up to watch the last Fight Night held last year.“There were even some cops there,” they said, although they couldn’t say who or what their purpose was for being there.

The location changes all the time, they said. The events are not always in a barn. Just a few weeks ago, they said they were holding a Fight Night behind Burger King in Georgetown when the police came and told them they had to break it up and move on. They use makeshift rings made from plywood or old tires, or use the onlookers to create a circle around the area where the participants fight.

Boxers or fighters keep at it until one either quits or gets “knocked out.”By knocked out, they said they mean the fighter “can’t get back up” like in boxing instead of unconscious, they said.The groups said what people aren’t hearing is that a teenager who was recently knocked out during a Fight Night and reported to have sustained a concussion had been involved in numerous fights held at Fight Nights and nearly always won.

Younts and the others insist drugs and alcohol are not tolerated at the events.“If you’re seen with drugs or alcohol, you’re escorted out,” they said.They also said it’s all for fun and that there’s no gambling involved.“It’s better than skating, bowling or going to Wal-Mart’s parking lot,” a 17-year-old said. “And, it helps keep people from fighting in school.”

Zach “Buddha” Kidwell, 15, and his friend Paul Wolfenbarger said they wanted to let people know it’s an OK event. “I’m fine with it,” Wolfenbarger said.“It’s not something where you set out to hurt someone,” the 20- year-old said. “It’s all about smiling. When you’re done, there’s no grudges.”

Younts said it’s been going on for such a long time that he doesn’t see anyone being able to put an end to it.“I honestly think as much as cops might try to bust it up, it will continue to go on,” Younts said.