It’s not Brad Pitt’s “Fight Club,” and it’s not an Ali v. Frazier rematch. But this Saturday afternoon, Kappa Alpha is holding their annual fight night at Big Kahuna’s Beach Club in Columbus. Starting at 3 p.m., amateur boxers will be taking jabs at each other in a contest to see who will be the Ultimate Champion.
Unlike most physical competitions, these boxing matches will not be senseless violence. Corey Pool, the general manager for Big Kahuna’s, said the fight was organized for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“Everything we make goes to the local MDA in Mississippi,” Andrew Saft, the president of KA, said.
Saft added that the winner of each division will receive a $500 cash prize.
With five different weight divisions and three one-minute rounds per fight, Matt Legg, a KA member, said it’s like an entire boxing tournament compressed into one night.
Unlike the matches seen in “Fight Club,” these are planned to be much tamer with headgear and gloves, Saft said.
Pool said a wrestling event will be put on by Mississippi Extreme Wrestling, or MXW, after the toughman competition ends.
“Almost 2,500 people showed up, with a majority being students,” Saft said about the last KA Fight Night.
Matt Legg said he expected numbers anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 to show up.
Unlike past fight nights, this year KA decided to host it in Columbus.
“We thought it would be easier since this company already had insurance and an ample size parking lot,” Legg said about KA’s decision to move the competition. “They also seemed eager to do anything they could to help us.”
Pool said Big Kahuna’s was able to handle 3,000 to 4,000 people, as well as offer other services such as penny drafts for the duration of the competition.
“We’re able to use our pull and reach out to get the event to others, including Tuscaloosa,” Pool said.
With the increased advertising and larger bar, Pool said they hoped to help increase the amount of money raised for the charity.
Legg said anyone who was not a professional fighter would be allowed to sign up, and added that there is no set age limit.
Tickets are $15 and will allow people to enter from 3 p.m. until close.
Those who would like to participate in the competition can contact him or Pool to get the forms and will be allowed to sign up until 1 p.m. the day of the competition. For more information or to sign up for the fight, contact Pool at 769-1262 or Legg at 910-3520.