Woman Dies After Toughman Contest

T A M P A, Fla., June 18 -- Stacy Young's family says the young mother of two believed her "Toughman" boxing contest would be a fun challenge — but she never thought it would end up costing her life.

Young, 30, of Bradenton, Fla., died Monday, two days after she was knocked out and suffered brain damage during a boxing match with another woman.The match was part of a "Toughman" competition, which matches amateur fighters.

Young's sister, Jodie Meyers, said Young decided to enter the competition Saturday after attending the previous night's competition.

"It was a challenge and something we could joke about later and say I did this wild and crazy thing," Meyers said. "She never expected anything at all dangerous was going to happen."

Meyers said Young, who was 240 pounds, was matched with another woman based on her weight before she stepped in the ring with her family looking on. She and her opponent were considered an even match by Toughman even though Young outweighed her opponent by 60 pounds. Meyers said Young was knocked down repeatedly, and that her doctors believe the young mother received a deadly blow as soon as the match got started.

"Looking back at her gait during the fight — that was probably when she received the fatal injury," Meyers said.

The Sarasota Police Department has since opened an investigation into the death of Young, who was married and had two daughters, aged 12 and 9.

Four Toughman Deaths in Nine Months

Young is not the first to die during a Toughman bout — in fact, four Toughman fighters have been killed in the last nine months. A number of other contestants have been seriously injured, including two fighters who were hospitalized the same night Young fought.

Toughman contests, created by businessman and boxing promoter Art Dore, have been running for 24 years. They allow untrained boxers who pay an entry fee to compete for cash prizes and trophies. Winners can move on from local to national competitions. Participants also sign a waiver releasing Toughman from any liability.