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Original Toughman Contest

Boxing

Original Toughman Contest Tickets

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Rating: 3.2 out of 5 based on 12 reviews

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About

About The Original Toughman Contest

For over 40 years, the Original Toughman Contest has highlighted the best that amateur boxing has to offer. It has introduced the world to such legendary fighters as heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Morrison, UFC fighter Forrest Griffin, super-heavyweight champion and "King of the Four-Rounders" Eric "Butterbean" Esch and '80s icon Mr. T. The competition has given novice amateur boxers the opportunity to prove themselves in the ring, and the chance to gain experience and exposure throughout the world of boxing.

The Original Toughman Contest has continued to evolve, taking safety and changing tastes into consideration. In 2019, Toughman Pro brings the classic Toughman format to the professional ranks in sanctioned one-night, eight-fighter Battle Royale PPV events, starting with the heavyweight-class "Night of the Heavies." All fights in this tournament are sanctioned by their local jurisdictions, using tournament rules set by the British Boxing Board of Control. By bringing the drive and emotion of amateur boxing to the professional ranks, and by bringing a touch of professionalism to amateur boxing, Toughman Pro will introduce a new generation to the short, intense brawls that Toughman contests are known for.

The Toughman contest format was founded in 1979 by Bay City, Michigan, demolition company owner Art Dore and his friend Dean Oswald, as a way to prove amongst friends who the toughest fighter was in an amateur setting. Over the years, the sport grew in popularity, peaking in the '80s and '90s with national TV coverage, a video game and even the 1983 movie Tough Enough, starring Dennis Quaid and Warren Oates, which was loosely based on Art Dore and his Toughman competitions. In the 21st century, Toughman has focused its attention on events in Oklahoma, West Virginia and Ohio, but it continues to host and air events nationwide. For more information on Original Toughman and Toughman Pro, check out toughmanpro.com.

Reviews

Rating: 3.2 out of 5 based on 12 reviews
  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Disappointing turnout

    by Don B. on 3/3/24Charleston Coliseum - Charleston

    For this event it was advertised they had 130 fighters signed up a week or so before the event. With that in mind, we were expecting 60-65 fights on the first night. Unfortunately, there were only 28 fights. And while some of the fights were really good, when you’re expecting twice as many as what actually happened, it’s disappointing.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Thrilled

    by Rick on 3/3/24Charleston Coliseum - Charleston

    Awesome to see the best of amateurs competing against each other! A much purer event than professional Vegas controlled gambling!😎

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Good

    by Stephanie on 1/9/24Mountain Health Arena - Huntington

    The Toughman was awesome, however the Mountain Health Arena staff that was helping with setting wasn't properly seating General admission and was making it seam everyone in the stadium seats could sit anywhere so we had people sitting in the wrong seats thinking the seating on tickets didn't matter. I feel the general admission needs to be properly marked so this doesn't happen in the future.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A Doggone Great Event!!!!

    by Hillbilly on 1/11/23Mountain Health Arena - Huntington

    Event is very well put together and planned. Promoter Jerry Thomas knows his stuff. Very exciting and entertaining. The feature fight was full of heart and guts, especially the performance put on by Vinny The Vampire Baisi. He displayed a picture of what heart and guts really looks like. I was very impressed by his performance as well as the many other fighters also. Will definitely be attending many more Toughman tourneys.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    First time to a Toughman event. Great event

    by S. D. on 1/8/19Big Sandy Superstore Arena - Huntington

    First time to see a Toughman event. It was a lot of fun. Getting into the event and leaving was very easy. We will definitely go to another one.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    My 11 year old loved it

    by Abe750 on 1/12/16Big Sandy Superstore Arena - Huntington

    Nice event. Had good floor seats. Crowd was well behaved. Everyone seamed to be having a good time

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    It is a joke.

    by AlTep on 1/26/15Hara Arena - Dayton

    I've never seen worse box in my life (I am 61). Even show girls couldn't shay on their feet.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Tough man contest was Awesome!!

    by ronnetti on 1/21/13Hara Arena - Dayton

    The tough man contest was Awesome! I had two sons in it and it was a great time. I want to go back next year!

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Kids in the ring

    by GenerationSwine on 1/20/13Hara Arena - Dayton

    Horrible, it was a bunch 18-24 year olds swinging wildly at each other, with gloves and headgear. ToughMAN? no way

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    by Mel17 on 1/22/12Hara Arena - Dayton

    Not enough fights, but all fights were entertaining