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Hanford's First Ever Cage Fighting Event Draws Conflict

By Angela Greenwood, KSEE24 News
November 2, 2012 Updated Nov 2, 2012 at 7:24 PM PDT

Friday night's cage fighting match in Hanford is expected to bring in big money, but it's not being welcomed by everyone.

The ring is set up and fighters prepare for showtime.

Hanford Parks and Recreation Supervisor Erin Holloway, says "It's something new, we're trying it tonight. I hope it's going to be a success."

Hanford's first ever cage fighting event is expected to be a hit. The Infamous Fight group rented the city's historic Civic Auditorium for about $3,000. With more than 600 tickets sold, city officials say this could be the venue's largest event ever.

"These people are gonna come in, stay in Hanford, eat in Hanford, enjoy downtown. That's the best part about it."

"I think it's great for the community to bring in," says Hanford Resident Eric Battaglia.

The added traffic means extra revenue, and local businesses are ready to cash in.

Stanley Houseworth owns the Smoke Joint restaurant and says, "It'll be great for the city. A lot of revenue coming in, it's an opportunity to really go out and get your name out there."

But this excitement isn't booming everywhere in Hanford. The Civic Auditorium was built in 1924 and some people think a building of such history and beauty isn't the right place to host a violent event."

Hanford Chamber of Commerce CEO, Mike Bertaina says "I worked for the city for 30 years. That's my building that I used to take care of and it's got a little bit of special meaning to me and to have somebody beaten and kicking and bleeding all over the place just leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Bertaina welcomes the visitors but says cage fighting and alcohol inside a 90-year-old building isn't a good mix.

"The potential to have a problem is too much for me," says Bertaina.

"I recognize that some people think that that type of event shouldn't be in here but again, I think it's just exciting to bring a different population here," says Holloway.

$1 from each of the tickets sold will be donated to the Parks and Recreation Department's Scholarship Fund to help send children to summer camp. Beer will be sold at the event, so there will be security guards as well as police officers on hand.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 2nd.

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