By David W. Powers
For Weekly Surge
Who's the toughest guy in the world? Who cares? People around here are more interested in finding out who is the toughest guy in Myrtle Beach. They won't have to wait long to see. Beginning Saturday night, the King of the Ring tough man fights will throw down the gauntlet at Club Kryptonite for a total prize package of $5000. The first night will consist of preliminary matches in order to weed out the weak so that only the strong will survive and make it to the following two Saturdays on the Feb. 16 and Feb. 23. The first night of fights is always the longest, as more competitors need to be pummeled into submission. As the fights progress, the field narrows until very few tough guys are left. Feb. 23 will see winners crowned in the various weight classes. The Club Kryptonite doors open at 7 p.m. each fight night and the action starts at 8:30 p.m. Ringside seats are $35. All other tickets are $15 prior to the event or $20 at the door.
"We originally began the fights six years ago because there was nothing like it in the area," said Club Kryptonite co-owner Chris Manios. "We wanted to provide something for the community that was original and entertaining."
Wayne Evans, a partner at Club Kryptonite, echoed those sentiments, "We wanted something new for everyone. The Ultimate Fighting Championship wasn't so big back then, so the fights went over well. Even now that the UFC is huge, our fights still go over well, because we're the only thing like it in town."
The King of the Ring tough man boxing events invoke images of gladiators or the massive cage fights from "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome." For those of you who remember back that far, Mel Gibson was a cage fighter for a brief moment back in 1985, in the third installment of the Road Warrior series. For the King of the Ring events, the dance club is turned into a Las Vegas-style arena. Unlike the Mad Max event, chainsaws and other weapons are not allowed. Instead, the fights are billed as a "three week tournament of power, determination, and skill," according to a press release sent out by the club, which went on to say that, "Everyone talks about how tough they are, but this event proves it."
- Courtesy Photo
The rules for King of the Ring are relatively simple and straightforward, as everything is sanctioned and licensed by the South Carolina State Athletic Commission (SCSAC). All fighters wear 16-ounce boxing gloves, headgear, mouth guards, and abdominal pads. The abdominal pads look like heavily padded underwear that make the fighters feel like they could step in front of a truck and not feel the impact.
Each competitor is weighed prior to the matches and set into a respective weight class. The SCASC divides fighters into eight classes: flyweight at 112 pounds or less, bantamweight from 113 to 118 pounds, featherweight from 119 to 126 pounds, lightweight from 127 to 135 pounds, welterweight from 136 to 147 pounds, middleweight from 148 to 160 pounds, light heavyweight from 161 to 175 pounds, and heavyweight for anyone more than 175 pounds. Heavyweight is often a pretty scary class for amateurs as a fighter weighing 176 pounds could end up facing a 230-pound football player, wrestler, or the really scary longhaired guy with tattoos who always wears sunglasses and never speaks to anyone. For the benefit of having more competitors in fewer categories, some of the smaller ones will be lumped together.
"I think we'll be having three classes, 145 to 174 pounds, 175 to 199 pounds, and 200 and up. With this division of weights, the competitors are fairly matched and you won't see welterweights facing heavyweights," said Evans.
The ring where the fights are held is not a simple square box covered in sawdust like the old school bare-knuckle brawls. It is an area governed by plenty of rules and restrictions. There is a very large document found on the state
of South Carolina website (www.scstatehouse.net) that spells out all the minutiae and rules regarding sanctioned fight events. More than 400 words are dedicated to the ring alone, spelling out the proper sizes and materials allowed. There are even sections that detail specifics about the bell, timekeeper's chair, water bottles, and the stopwatch, among other things. The promoter Jim Kelley handles most of the issues regarding the SCSAC regulations and the ring. He shows up with the ring and does the setup and tear-down. Kelley is known around the state for promoting events similar to King of the Ring. Jim Kelley Promotions is perhaps best known for the monthly professional boxing matches at The Plex in North Charleston. The website for The Plex brags about this event as "the longest running club event in the country."
- Courtesy Photo
About the ring that'll be set up at Club K, Evans said, "that thing takes twice as long to setup as it does to tear apart. At least 1-2 hours to get it ready. They do it each night the fights are held."
The fights are strictly for amateurs, so no professionals are allowed to come in and beat up on everyone just to take all the prize money. The professional versus amateur designation just delineates the fact whether or not a prospective fighter makes a monetary living off of fighting, whether it is boxing, mixed martial arts, or any other type of fighting. Professional status, however, does not apply to martial artists and others who have attained a high level of skill but still function as amateurs. In other words, any given fighter could face a black belt in the opposing corner, although a black belt may even be at a disadvantage. The downside for the martial artists is that a tough man fight only allows the hands to be used. Feet, knees, elbows, heads, and other body parts may not enter the fray. That is the main difference between a tough man contest and mixed martial arts bouts such as the UFC, where the entire body and not just the fists become weapons. As mentioned before, weapons are also out, so no nunchakus, swords, staff, or sais are allowed. There'll be no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action in the ring from the martial artists. The fights are presided over by state licensed referees and judges who keep the melee from resembling a cheap karate movie.
GOING BY THE BOOK
If you have a few hours with nothing to do, there are some interesting items found in the state regulations on matches. Don't waste your time though, or bother printing out all 50-plus pages. Here are some of the more unique rules that will apply to the upcoming Club Kryptonite fights. The sections in parenthesis are the interpretation of the rules by the author.
The bell or gong must have a clear tone so that the contestants can hear the bell or gong easily.
The use of excessive lubricant on the body, arms or face of a boxer will not be tolerated. (In order to differentiate the event from some type of homoerotic sadomasochistic show.)
A boxer's license may be denied to a boxer who has suffered cerebral hemorrhage or any other serious head or jaw injury. (In case the boxer isn't smart enough or mentally capable enough to say, "no more.")
All boxers must wear a foul-proof abdominal guard and cup which shall be examined and approved before all bouts by a representative of the Commission. (What is a foul-proof cup and is it checked with a swift kick to the groin?)
Any boxer who sustains a succession of six defeats or a series of knockouts may be subject to suspension. (No suicide by boxer is allowed by getting a beat-down in tournament after tournament.)
If any boxer has been licensed by the Commission who has not reached his 18th birthday, he must have written authorization from his parent or legal guardian before participating in a boxing event. (Get Mommy's permission to face a beat-down.)
If a boxer, in the judgment of a Commission representative, fails to give a satisfactory performance, his purse shall be forwarded to the Commission. (Fight like a wimp and the SCSAC will keep your prize money.)
All boxers must be clean and neat when they participate in ring contests. Facial hair shall be at the discretion of the Commission. (Please take a bath and shave before entering the ring) No manager or second shall attempt to render aid to a disabled boxer before the physician has had an opportunity to examine the boxer. (This keeps the managers and their seconds, or assistants, honest by not permitting them to reset broken arms and fix compound fractures before anyone notices.)
The participant who has fallen or has been knocked out of the ring must return to the ring unassisted by his seconds. If he is unable to do so within twenty (20) seconds the timekeeper shall notify the referee who shall begin the official count.
Every person, club, corporation, organization or association who shall hold any boxing, wrestling, kick boxing (full contact karate) or sparring exhibition or performance in this State shall pay to the Commission ten per cent of the gross receipts received by reason of the lease or sale of television, moving picture or radio rights in connection with any such exhibition or performance. (Uncle Sam needs his cut.)
In the event of accidental death, an amount designated by the Commission will be paid to the estate of the deceased. (To keep the widow and fatherless children fed.)
No applicant shall be contracted for or engage in a contest between male and female.
The State Athletic Commission shall not license animals other than human beings nor issue permits for events in which they participate. (So far, this has kept Michael Vick away from sanctioned events.)
- Photo by Scott Smallin, Staff Photographer
THE MOTIVATING FACTORS
There are a variety of reasons why fighters enter the King of the Ring contest. Some do it on a dare. Others feel the need to prove something, to themselves or their friends. Some people even do it just for the fun and exhilaration of the event. Last year's winner Amos Collins entered the bouts for an entirely different reason. Collins fights out of Little River where he is the owner of Combat Zone Fitness Center, which is also in Little River. As the owner, he teaches a variety of classes ranging from various styles of martial arts to boxing. Collins entered the 2007 King of the Ring as a 155-pound fighter in the 175 pound-and-below lightweight category.
When asked about skill level, Collins replied, "I guess you could say I'm pretty experienced. I have a black belt in Tae Kwan Do and was really into Golden Gloves boxing as a youth. That and teaching all the kids here at the school."
His reason for entering is similar to the Chuck Norris method of marketing. In the 1970s when Chuck Norris tried opening a string of martial arts studios in California, he floundered while seeking publicity. To become better known, he began entering tournaments. With each tournament win, his name and his school's reputation grew. So he entered progressively larger and more prominent tournaments. He didn't stop until he was the world middleweight champion at the International Karate Championships, a title that he held for six years. Basically, Norris' plan was to beat everyone up until he gained the level of marketability he was looking for. Now he's moved on to even bigger markets by entering the political world, backing presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.
Collins is on a similar track as a fighter and school owner and plans to make his professional debut on Feb. 16 at the second night of the King of the Ring contest. He will be fighting an as-yet-unnamed professional fighter as an extra match during the amateur tough man fights that night. "My plan right now is to build up a solid record of fight wins prior to the day when mixed martial arts is made legal in South Carolina. When it finally comes in, there will be countless opportunities for a seasoned fighter like me with a great record."
So far, although it is talked about a lot, there is no big push to legalize mixed martial arts (MMA) in South Carolina. During a call to Nelson Hardwick, the state Representative for much of the South Strand area, he said, "I don't know of any bills pending for it." That fact still hasn't dimmed Collins' aspirations. "I plan on posting a record, which will generate title opportunities and possibly more money. It's already legal in Georgia and North Carolina, so travel is a necessity right now."
For now, his Chuck Norris-style marketing is working. He has a large stable of fighters and students who attend the Combat Zone on a regular basis. He also has plans to start bringing more fights, primarily martial arts events, to the area and would like to host a professional event about every three months. Until MMA is legalized, he's restricted to single discipline events like the boxing at King of the Ring or single discipline martial arts tournaments.
"Myrtle Beach is ripe with venues for the bouts. Not only do you have Club Kryptonite, but there's also the opportunity of using the Hard Rock Theme Park," Collins said. Boxing events have been staged at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, too.
GETTING IN THE RING
All King of the Ring fighters have to be at least 18, but younger than 35. Applications are available via fax, e-mail, or in person and can be obtained at the club or by calling 839-9200. There is a $35 entry fee and this includes a license to fight from the SCSAC and covers insurance in case a contestant gets maimed or worse. The deadline for signing up is Friday (Feb. 8) to allow time for physicals and a weigh in. A basic fight physical is required prior to a fight. Don't worry though. Basic is the key word, meaning that fighters will not likely have to bend over and cough as they would with a full physical. The physical is to rule out any existing medical conditions that would preclude a fighter's safety or perhaps allow serious injury. Approximately 30 or more fighters are expected to enter. That adds up to 60 swinging arms, 30 ducking and dodging heads, and the potential for up to 640 broken teeth, give or take a denture here and there. Those are pretty good odds that should make for some interesting bouts.
In case someone does get hurt, the club is required by the state to have both a physician and emergency medical technician crew both before and during the event to provide onsite medical coverage. This consists of an ambulance crew for emergencies or transport to a hospital. For the past several years, the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad has provided a pair of EMT's or Paramedics along with their emergency equipment. They are usually visible at ringside. A doctor is also onsite from the very first part of the event to provide physicals and more advanced medical care if needed. Part of fighting in a tough man event is trying really hard to look tough, so don't expect many of the fighters to approach the medical crew unless told to by the doctor. It's like a football game where an injured athlete always tries to exit the field under his own power.
About the medical crews, Evans said, "We've had no problems with NMB Rescue, so we always call them back. So far, they've treated our fighters really well when they needed it."
Aside from the tough man fights, there are also other matches set up for the final night of fights on Feb. 23. There are often a few grudge matches that are announced at the last minute. Occasionally fraternities will square off against one another. Over the years, policemen and firemen have also duked it out.
One expected match-up of any fight spectacle at Club Kryptonite is the special Cain vs. Abel, brother against brother, event that pits club owners Chris Manios and Drew Manios against one another. Their last fight at the May 2007 Boxing for Boobs event ended in a draw. Chris Manios is looking to score a huge win this year, because it will be the last year for the Cain versus Abel fight. Their bout will take place on February 23, the night of the King of the Ring finals.
When given the opportunity to talk trash about his brother, Chris Manios was ready to go. "Drew turns 35 next year and will be too old to fight in a sanctioned match, so this is my last chance to beat up on the old man. Being his little brother, it's nice to get some payback. I put him on his butt the first year and got to talk smack all year long. I didn't have to take crap from my big brother for a year. Look for a knockout this year."
If you have no desire to enter the event, it is certainly worth watching as a spectator. There is a variety of seating available at all the fight nights. There will be some great seats up front just a few feet from the ring. These seats are like the front rows at Sea World. You don't necessarily want to get wet, but if Shamu splashes you, it's cool. Likewise, at the King of the Ring you can sit close enough to get splattered with sweat and maybe even some blood in the VIP seating. What better way to feel like part of the action? If you want those seats, be sure to call early and reserve them. Otherwise, you can show up the night of the event and watch from the regular seating or standing areas.
The King of the Ring fights are the highest profile fighting events held in Myrtle Beach. A few martial arts studios hold karate, Tae Kwan Do, or grappling tournaments, but nothing as large as the events at Club Kryptonite. Although MMA tournaments still aren't legal in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach and venues like Club Kryptonite are primed to handle the events once they become legalized. Wendy Tipi functions as the sports specialist at the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and said, "We're set up to be a liaison for any sporting events in the area. We can assist or help guide the promoters in finding accommodations or venues."
The stage is set, now all the area needs are more fights and a change in the law. For now though, the King of the Ring is your opportunity to prove your mettle. Don't go around talking about how you could've been a contender. After all, it's not too late to enter. As Club Kryptonite's promotional materials attest, "If you think you're man enough and if you think you're tough enough to win...you could be the next King of the Ring." You think you have what it takes?
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