ROSS TAYLOR

photo stories: tuff enough

The Tuff Man competition in Oxford, North Carolina is a chance for area men to show their strength over the two-day competition.

Dozens of men participated and hundreds showed to cheer on their hometown heroes.

Andy Bookman waits for his fight to start. He has fought in several "Tuff Man" competitions.
   
A fighter gets his hand and wrist wrapped before his fight.
   
Curtis Claflin collects his thoughts before his fight.
     
  
A pair of fighters begin their fight before a capacity crowd.
   
Billy William reels from a punch during his match. William rallied though, and he ended up winning his match.
   
Daniell Hughey reacts after losing his fight quicker than he anticipated. This was his first time fighting in the Tuff Man competition.
     
  
Fans react after Vincent Coleman was knocked out during his fight. At left is the referee, Donnie Jessup.
   
Paramedic Kenny Harp looks to attend to Donnell Milton after he was hurt during a match on Saturday night.
   
Darnelle Hobson looks up to her father, James Hobson, who won the heavyweight division on Saturday night, the final night of the competition. At left is the man he beat for the championship.
     
  
Jennifer Kearney comforts her boyfriend, Nick Jackson after he was knocked out during his match. Like many others, it was his first time fighting in the event. He plans on trying again next year.