Money is good, but safety must be top priority

Fighting rarely leads to anything positive. But this weekend, at the second annual Fight Night, blood, sweat, bruised knuckles and egos all went to benefit a greater cause.

According to a Kernel article Monday, 30 amateur fighters from different UK fraternities took part in Fight Night, an event hosted by Sigma Chi and Alpha Delta Pi. Shelby Schott, Fight Night chairman and an integrated strategic communications junior, said Fight Night raised over $14,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Ronald McDonald House. Schott also said Sigma Chi alumnus Jon Huntsman pledged to donate 50 cents for every dollar earned at the event. This should amount to approximately $21,000 in two days.

Although Sigma Alpha Epsilon may have captured the Fight Night championship belt, everybody who took part in the event is a winner — even those who came out for the sole purpose of possibly seeing someone get knocked out.

It should be noted, however, that not everything about Fight Night is great. Yes, they made it through the night without any serious injuries, but there is a definite safety concern here. Anytime you throw students, many of whom have never fought in their lives, into a boxing ring, it raises safety issues.

The precautions taken were adequate. According to a Monday article, each boxer went through pre-fight and post-fight physicals. There was also a crash cart for resuscitation and an oxygen tank ringside. But there is always going to be some safety concern with this event.

Schott said he chose to plan this event because he thought boxing was a fun way to raise money for charity. The numbers show that he may be correct. Close to 4,000 people came out to see the action between the ropes, and the money raised this year eclipsed last year’s total of over $10,000.

According to the Kernel article, George Ginter, chairman of the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority and chairman of the Kentucky Amateur Boxing Association, said he hoped Fight Night would continue to grow. Ginter said he wants the event to rival the Notre Dame Bengal Bouts, which have been going on for nearly 80 years.

The money raised is excellent. But no matter how much the event brings in, the No. 1 priority should always be safety for the boxers.