PLEASANT GROVE -- Jake Spainhower plans to attract a bunch of high school kids Saturday, May 20, to box in the middle of the Pleasant Grove rodeo grounds.
Spainhower, a 20-year-old Alpine resident, says there will be spectators, referees, security and medical people standing by to keep watch over the punching, pummeling and -- most likely -- some bloodshed.But it's not Fight Club II, says Spainhower, referring to the college-aged Utah County group that's garnered attention nationally for its late-night bouts around the county that is well known for its religious right and conservative zeal.
"The Fight Club thing? It's way bad. It's only a matter of time before they get into trouble," said Spainhower, who is busy organizing the tournament for teenagers. "Mine's so much better that it's a perfect time for it to happen."
Pleasant Grove officials aren't so sure, however.
The city's planning commission recently called in the owners of a new indoor skateboard park to explain why they allowed a Fight Club slugfest inside their building.
Mike Ferre, the city's director of public safety, said Monday he didn't know the boxing tourney was going forward.
"I really think there are some public safety issues here," Ferre said. "I'm really concerned. I'm worried about security and the city's liability."
Spainhower said he has permission from the City Council to lease the rodeo grounds, bring in a portable ring and sell tickets at $8 to $10 each for the event. He said he held a similar event last year that attracted 1,000 people.
Mayor Ed Sanderson said Spainhower will be required to prove to the city he is on solid legal footing.
"At that point, we'll talk," Sanderson said.
City Attorney Tina Peterson said she needs to inspect the waivers Spainhower will require his boxers to sign.
"I haven't seen anything yet," she said Monday.
Spainhower said he is trying to pull brawling out of the high schools and into the ring where it can be monitored.
"I can totally stop fighting at the schools, and it's happening," he said. "If people say it's not, they're wrong."
He believes he can make friends out of guys and gals who square off in the parking lots and end up getting hurt.
"I want them to see there's a better way," Spainhower said. "I match weights, and I totally make friends in a good sportsmanship way."
Spainhower said he has 80 teenagers signed up to compete, representing each of the high schools in Utah Valley.
"They're interested because there's nothing to do around here."
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com