Violence erupts at local amateur boxing show

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, July 25, 2000 | 9:42 a.m.

As if two nights of 20-plus fights wasn't enough fistic activity, a skirmish broke out following an amateur boxing card Saturday night at the Nevada Partners gym in North Las Vegas. Police were called but the disturbance had been quelled by the time they arrived.

"It really got out of hand," said Marv Cutler, a judge for the card who suffered a foot injury and was on crutches Monday.

"I'd call it a brawl," he said. "I was afraid of more than just fists flying."

With as many as 300 spectators in the audience for a card that pitted Nevada vs. California, the melee erupted following the last fight on the schedule of the two-day event.

"It had been two long nights and people were starting to get a little tired," said Dr. Robert Voy, a ringside physician who worked the card. "There were a lot of emotions and, unfortunately, after the last bout either a boxer or his cornermen incited the crowd.

"It started out as just four or five guys but it broadened and took about five minutes to get under control. If not for the courageous actions of some of the audience members, it could have been much worse."

No arrests were made.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," said Richard Steele, who runs the gym at Nevada Partners. "Some grown people got mad because a Nevada fighter was overexcited. I called the police just to make sure nothing continued outside.

"It wasn't a major problem."

Voy said the volatile situation may lead to greater security at amateur boxing shows in the future.

"We don't usually have uniformed officers at our fight cards," said Voy, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee and a member of USA Boxing. "But I think we'll have to take another look at that."