Mason Smith poses for his Night of Fights program photo.
It’s going to be one heck of a night.
The 23rd-annual Night of Fights returns Friday with 12 bouts on the fight card after the event raised almost $10,000 during Monday’s Calcutta. Gates open tonight at 6 p.m. followed by the first bout at 7 p.m. at the Venturacci Gym. Admission is $10 per person and VIP tables are no longer available.
“We were tickled. We’re absolutely thrilled,” Greenwave wrestling booster’s Missy McCormick said about Monday’s auction at Sandwinds. “We have surpassed our goals.”
Along with the auction, McCormick said all 28 VIP tables were sold, making tonight’s wrestling fundraiser another jam-packed event for the community.
Originally held in May, this year’s event encountered obstacles due to conflicts with the spring sports and city of Fallon, which donates the ring every year. It’s the same ring used for the annual Rural Rumble in August.
“There were so many conflicts,” McCormick said. “The city is a huge supporter for us. They’re very busy in the month of May. It was better for us.”
Wrestling coaches Trevor de Braga and Dan Shaw helped prepare the boxers this month, while coaches Darren Lewis and Ryan McCormick will be in the corner tonight. Fallon coach Bert Serrano will be the referee.
Tonight’s boxing event features two main events, two semi-main events and two sumo wrestling bouts.
Kobe “Beef Chief” Abe takes on Shane “Boom Boom” Krogg in the boys’ main event while Haley “The Prodigy” Nelson and Macey “The Big Kahuna” Zeller will battle in the girls main event. The boys semi-main event features Miguel “RUMBLE” Ramos against “Young” Sean McCormick and the girls bout will be Kylee-Jo “Stillwater’s Finest” George against Bella “Josphinia” Cardona.
Cardona was the last one standing at Monday’s auction and admitted to feeling nervous about being in one of the last bouts.
“I’m kind of nervous, but I have to give it my best shot when I get out there,” she said. “This is my first year and I’m really excited, It should go well.”
Hannah Frank and Haylee Paladini will fight in the girls’ sumo bout while wrestlers Mark Moyle and Jack Swisher will duke it out in the boys’ event.
Jared “Money Maker” Osborne and Illyes “French Stallion” Taleb will begin the Night of Fights followed by Kendall “Too Tall” Rogers fighting Johnathon “King of Pain” Blakey.
Blakey, who won the highest bid on Monday by raising more than $500, said he’s up to the task to proving he’s worth every penny.
“You get the highest bid and you kind of have to stand up and show them what you’re worth,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good, pretty confident. Hopefully, I come out Friday and show them what I can do.”
The remaining bouts include Christian “Twinkle Toes” Sage vs. Kaden “Hands of” Stone, Sarah “Sugar” Rodarte vs. Rhianna “The Stalker” Farren, Noah “The Slayer” Krogg vs. Mason “The Dank” Smith, Dylan “Sacafee” McAfee vs. Andrew “NyQuil” Noriega, Tucker “The All-American” Stritenberger vs. Jimmy “The Joker” Seeger and Harley “The Hitman” Fausey vs. Terry “The Little Great” White.
“I think I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m just kind of going with it,” Rodarte said. “I’ve been going to the practices they hold for everybody. It’s all in good sportsmanship. It’s just an activity for everyone, nothing serious.”
