Students duke it out for national charity at Fraternity Fight Night

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Daily Wildcat UA junior Garett Dilandri, representing Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, lays a final blow against freshman Nick Haney of Kappa Sigma during Friday's Fraternity Fight Night held at the Amigo Indoor Soccer Center in South Tucson.

About 1,000 people assembled for Fraternity Fight Night at the Tucson Amigo Indoor Soccer Center, 250 E. 36th Street.

"What guy wouldn't want to step into the ring and fight?" said Lawrence Lentz, a referee and judge for USA Boxing.

Participants in the event, sponsored by USA Boxing Arizona, represented their fraternities and hoped to capture the medal given to the winner of each fight.

"I'm out here for pride and to show that no one at ZBT messes around," said Jeff Benson, a communication freshman and member of Zeta Beta Tau. "I know I'm gonna win."

Benson won his match with Steve Tait, a business freshman and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The match was stopped when Tait dislocated his shoulder about 10 seconds into the bout.

"This is supposed to be a safe event, things like this aren't supposed to happen," Lentz said. "His shoulder went out. It happens to every human being - it was a freak accident."

All of the fighters were required to sign a release form before stepping into the ring, clearing the promoters of liability for injuries.

"We're here for the safety of the fighters. If there is any doubt, the referees will stop the fight," Lentz said.

He said fighters in the event were chosen on a first-come, first-served basis and matched up by weight.

The fights were conducted with three one-minute rounds. The 10-count knockout rule and technical knockout rule were in effect, Lentz said.

Six of the evening's 12 fights were stopped by officials before the end of three rounds. The remaining six fights declared a winner by decision.

Alpha Tau Omega was declared the team champion, with a 66 percent victory rate, but members of Sigma Phi Epsilon claimed they were the actual winners.

Sigma Phi Epsilon argued that only six of their seven fighters were actual members of the fraternity. They said that one of their fighters who lost was a high school student and therefore should not have been considered in the final standings.

In the end though, ATO walked away with the team title.

In order to fight, all participants needed to be university students and members of a recognized university organization.

Fans were enthusiastic about the action in and out of the ring. In the crowd, two fights broke out between members of rival fraternities.

According to Officer Steve Smith of the South Tucson Police Department, two UA fraternity members were arrested for fighting. Their names were not available.

Most people though, said they attended the fights to support their friends and help out a local charity.

"It's something that you're used to seeing on TV, and here, you see guys that you've known for years in the ring," said Michelle Steele, a communication senior. "We know that it's going to a good cause, so it's worth it."

A portion of the ticket sales went to benefit USA Boxing Arizona. Tickets for the event sold for $15.

"It will help send amateurs to regional and national competitions," Lentz said.

"It will also help to fund fighters at the Olympics."

Lentz would not say how much money was raised by the event. He said, however, that the event tripled the organization's bank account.