[Vision2020] article: Woman Brain Dead After Boxing in Fla.

Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:27:43 -0700 (PDT)

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Woman Brain Dead After Boxing in Fla.
Police in Sarasota, Fla., Probe Toughman Amateur Boxing Contest That Left Woman Brain Dead

The Associated Press

SARASOTA, Fla. June 17 — 
A 30-year-old woman was brain dead and on life support Tuesday after being pummeled at a Toughman amateur boxing contest she had entered on the spur of the moment.

Stacy Young suffered swelling and hemorrhaging in the brain from Saturday night's bout and doctors said they were no signs of activity in the brain stem, said Jodie Meyers, Young's older sister.

"Everybody is consistent in giving us no hope," Meyers said.

Police opened an investigation Tuesday to see if any laws were broken.

Chuck Young said his wife, the mother of two, decided to compete after learning that the only woman who had signed up needed an opponent.

"It's supposed to be fun," he said. "They tell us nobody's going to get hurt. The worst that could happen was to get a broken nose."

At 240 pounds, Young outweighed her opponent by about 60 pounds. But in the first 30 seconds of the bout, family members knew it was an uneven match, Meyers said.

Young nearly lasted all three rounds before falling the final time, Meyers said, adding that doctors told her any one of the many blows could have damaged Young's brain.

The Toughman contest was started by businessman and boxing promoter Art Dore in Michigan in 1979. Paying a $50 entry fee, men and women compete in amateur boxing bouts for cash purses.

At least three competitors have died in the last nine months, and some say the total number of deaths in the circuit's 24-year history is as high as nine. Several states have banned Toughman because of the dangers to untrained competitors.

Dore has said he will continue staging the amateur fights, despite pressure from state regulators. Joelle English, head of public relations for AdoreAble Promotions, the event's parent company, said participants sign waivers releasing promoters from liability and have their heart rate and blood pressure checked by a doctor.

Meyers said her family doubts that the woman Young fought was an amateur.

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<DIV class=blueLead>Woman Brain Dead After Boxing in Fla.</B></DIV><!-- End Headline --><!-- END PRINT --><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><!-- Dek/FirstParagraph -->
<DIV class=black10ptBold>Police in Sarasota, Fla., Probe Toughman Amateur Boxing Contest That Left Woman Brain Dead</DIV><!-- End Dek --><!-- END PRINT --><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><!-- END PRINT --><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><!--The Associated Press--><BR><I>The Associated Press</I><BR><BR><!-- END PRINT --><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><!-- END PRINT --><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><!--RemovedFirstParagraph --><!--FirstParagraph --><!-- END PRINT --><!-- End FirstParagraph --><!-- STORYHIGHLIGHTS -->
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<TD class=black9pt><BR><!-- BEGIN PRINT --><FONT class=blueLinkNoStyle>SARASOTA, Fla. </FONT><FONT class=blueLinkNoStyle>June 17</FONT> — 
<P>A 30-year-old woman was brain dead and on life support Tuesday after being pummeled at a Toughman amateur boxing contest she had entered on the spur of the moment.</P>
<P>Stacy Young suffered swelling and hemorrhaging in the brain from Saturday night's bout and doctors said they were no signs of activity in the brain stem, said Jodie Meyers, Young's older sister.</P>
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<P>"Everybody is consistent in giving us no hope," Meyers said.</P>
<P>Police opened an investigation Tuesday to see if any laws were broken.</P>
<P>Chuck Young said his wife, the mother of two, decided to compete after learning that the only woman who had signed up needed an opponent.</P>
<P>"It's supposed to be fun," he said. "They tell us nobody's going to get hurt. The worst that could happen was to get a broken nose."</P>
<P>At 240 pounds, Young outweighed her opponent by about 60 pounds. But in the first 30 seconds of the bout, family members knew it was an uneven match, Meyers said.</P>
<P>Young nearly lasted all three rounds before falling the final time, Meyers said, adding that doctors told her any one of the many blows could have damaged Young's brain.</P>
<P>The Toughman contest was started by businessman and boxing promoter Art Dore in Michigan in 1979. Paying a $50 entry fee, men and women compete in amateur boxing bouts for cash purses.</P>
<P>At least three competitors have died in the last nine months, and some say the total number of deaths in the circuit's 24-year history is as high as nine. Several states have banned Toughman because of the dangers to untrained competitors.</P>
<P>Dore has said he will continue staging the amateur fights, despite pressure from state regulators. Joelle English, head of public relations for AdoreAble Promotions, the event's parent company, said participants sign waivers releasing promoters from liability and have their heart rate and blood pressure checked by a doctor.</P>
<P>Meyers said her family doubts that the woman Young fought was an amateur.</P>
<P>
<P><I>Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.</I> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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