Saturday night was all right for fighting

Bourbon County Sherrif's Deputy Amanda Lickteig (left) and Cherokee County's Blonkberger duke it out in a women's match at the National Guard Armory Saturday night. This was one of only three matches not to end with a knockout as Blonkburger won a split decision. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

A boxing tournament raised over $3,500 for the annual Christmas Toy Drive sponsored by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Department and the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Saturday night.

Although the event didn't go exactly as planned, the show was successful enough that SKRCC Director of Programs Jimmy Nichols said it would definitely be held again.

"Oh, definitely," Nichols said. "I think after we all came to our senses, we had a great time."

Paul Nichols of the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office follows through after punching Dylan Marlow of the Bronson Police Department in the main event of the boxing card. Nichols won by unanimous decision over Marlow. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

The original plan was to hold a double-elimination tournament with bouts going two rounds each, eventually crowning a "King of the Ring."

First, a few exhibition matches were held. Bourbon County Sheriff Harold Coleman himself took the ring in the first bout and held his own against BCSD's Brad Ridge, who was a larger opponent. That was followed by a women's match between Amanda Blubaugh of the BCSD and a Blonkberger of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, won by Blonkberger in a split decision. These were two of just three matches on the night that did not end with a technical knockout.

The double-elimination tournament began with 10 boxers entered. Nichols defeated L.Blonk of CCSO by TKO. Ridge defeated Darrett Kennedy, representing Bronson, when Kennedy reinjured a knee and couldn't continue. Dylan Marlow of Bronson posted a TKO over Chip Moore of the BCSD. Mike Fields of the Pittsburg Police Department defeated Brad Mazer of BCSD by TKO and, in a match between BCSD deputies, Paul Nichols posted a TKO over Logan Rabasco.

But a bit of a problem arose. The boxers were trying so hard that even most of the winners were too exhausted to continue.

"It really took all of us by surprise how grueling it was," Jimmy Nichols said. "The next time, I'm going to make sure I'm in a lot better shape."

The tournament was dropped but the night concluded with a "Main Event," won by Paul Nichols in a three-round unanimous decision over Marlow.