<p>Toughman and similar contests are banned in Tennessee, effective July 1.</p><p>Gov. Phil Bredesen pushed the ban through the General Assembly and has signed the measure into law.</p><p>Toughman competitions pit amateurs, both men and women, against one another for three one-minute rounds, with the eventual winner often receiving a cash prize.</p><p>In supporting the measure during the legislative session, Bredesen administration officials said the bouts are too dangerous for participants. The governor signed the legislation May 23.</p><p>Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville, has said that without any rules for competitors, professional athletes and martial arts experts end up fighting real amateurs. In other states, competitors have died or been badly injured.</p><p>In March, Tennessee boxing regulators brought a complaint against Anthony Young of Maryville, who won a series of amateur Toughman bouts. Records show Young is a former Golden Gloves boxer with more than 50 wins during a 10-year career.</p><p>Young did not attend his disciplinary hearing and state regulators have said they were pursuing a $1,000 default judgment against him.</p><p>State regulators have set a June 14 disciplinary hearing in Nashville for Roger Dwight Bonine Jr., of Ringgold, Ga. He is accused of fighting in a toughman bout after lying about his pro boxing background.</p><p>Bonine faces a maximum possible fine of $1,000 if he intentionally misled officials, according to the complaint.</p>
