Gallery by Heather Belcher
The Friday night bouts are in the books for the 43rd annual West Virginia Original Toughman Contest and some familiar names will be vying for a championship Saturday night.
One of the fighters that was victorious on opening night was former Westside basketball standout Ethan Blackburn who won by technical knockout over Tyler Eagle.
“It all started out as a joke really,” Blackburn said about getting into boxing. “Back in December of 2021, my buddy was telling me about a fight in Harts Creek and two of my buddies were fighting in it. I said, heck, I will sign up and do it with you just for fun to see how it goes. I have loved it ever since.”
Blackburn started training at the Silverback Gym in Oceana before joining forces with former Toughman champion Tucker Lambert.
“Tucker put a ring down in the Baileysville Community Center, the old high school, and that is where I go now. Tucker definitely knows what he is talking about,” Blackburn said. “There is a big difference in me now. I was stiff as a board my first fight, but Tucker has me looking a whole lot better now.”
Blackburn talked about some of the strengths he now possesses in the ring after training with Lambert.
“Head movement for sure and I have worked on footwork a lot. I feel like I have more power behind my punches than the first time that I fought,” Blackburn said.
Although he looked calm and collected Friday night inside the Toughman ring, Blackburn admitted it wasn’t always that way.
“I was tore up for sure,” Blackburn said about his first fight. “Walking up to the ring is definitely a whole different atmosphere. Once I got in the ring all of the butterflies went away and I just fought my fight.”
Blackburn was impressive from the get-go Friday sending Eagle to the canvas for a standing eight-count in the opening round.
The former Renegade did not let up in round two landing numerous blows which bloodied Eagle and forced the referee to stop the bout.
Saturday night will be no cake walk for Blackburn who is fighting in the always competitive middleweight division.
WVU Tech wrestler Drake De La Cruz recorded an impressive win over Robert Burton to advance, while Tommy “The Blonde Bomber” Lefever was equally impressive in a win over Robert Burton.
Two-time champion Devon Steele from Hico advanced in the Welterweight division with a unanimous decision win over Isaac Evans.
Steele will be one of eight fighters battling for the title Saturday including Vinnie “The Vampire” Baisi who won the Toughman title earlier in the year in Parkersburg.
Baisi won by unanimous decision of Darryn Garnes who won the Toughman title in Huntington.
Last year’s heavyweight runner-up Noah McGraw from Dorothy also won Friday, as did former Shady Spring wrestler Joshua Goode who fought in the Lightweight division.
Paige Neal from Oak Hill drew a bye Friday night and advanced to Saturday’s Women’s Lightweight championship bout where she will look to win her third title this year.
The boxing action starts at 7 p.m. Saturday night with the preliminary rounds leading up to the championship bouts later in the evening.
Final Results
Lightweight Division
Marvin Workman d. Tanner Williams, TKO
Gavin Patton d. Kevin Hamby, Split decision
Holden Wyrick d. Zack Fain, TKO
Joshua Goode d. Stephen Haney, Unanimous decision
Jaron Panossian d. Julius Perdue, TKO
Kevin Hicks d. Ronnie Barrett, Unanimous decision
Welterweight Division
Mark Harper d. Levi Mitchell, Unanimous decision
Terry Eagle d. Michael Hall, split decision
Trent Sayre d. Clayton Frye, Unanimous decision
Vinnie Baisi d. Darryn Garnes, Unanimous decision
Eddie Osborne d. Chris Bartoli, TKO
Joshua Glasure d. Derrick O’Neal, TKO
Eli Chavous d. James White, Unanimous decision
Devon Steele d. Isaac Evans, Unanimous decision
Middleweight Division
Charles Huh d. Brett Hodock, Unanimous decision
Ethan Blackburn d. Tyler Eagle, TKO
Kameron Dickens d. Jacob Beller, Unanimous decision
Tommy Lefever d. Keith Tyree, Unanimous decision
Isaiah Allen d. Elijah Thompson, TKO
Drake De L Cruz d. Robert Burton, TKO
Chandler Reed d. Matthew Lambert, KO
Cruiserweight Division
Anthony Lester d. Robin Welch, TKO
Brandon Bailey d. Dawson Ratliff, TKO
C.J. Machniak d. Dustin Stephens, TKO
Eric Fultonberger d. Doug Ayers, TKO
George White d. Justin Smith, TKO
Heavyweight Division
Tyler Mileto d. Tyler Walker, Unanimous decision
Noah McGraw d. Stoane Lockett, Unanimous decision
Aaron Hairston d. Ricky Workman, TKO
Shawn Granese d. Zach Kessel, TKO
Keith Donelow d. Kenny Parent, Split decision
Jacob Godfrey d. William Jamrose, Unanimous decision
Ashton Shaw d. Nick Critchley, TKO
