According to a Texas newspaper and CNN, a man participating in the Texas Toughman boxing tournament died last Friday of head injuries suffered during a match. Reportedly, the man collapsed after fighting two of the three rounds in a light heavyweight bout. He was taken to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The 26 year old man died at the hospital. He is survived by a wife and two children. Apparently, this is the second death in Toughman within a week. Another man died in Idaho the day after participating in the Idaho Toughman competition. He also died of head injuries. This is the eight death in the Toughman since it's inception in 1979. 

Toughman

The Toughman is a country wide boxing tournament - advance through elimination.  Professional fighters are not allowed as well as amateur fighters with five wins in the last five years.  The contestants wear oversized gloves and headgear and undergo a pre-fight physical. Like all boxing events, three judges are at ringside as well as the paramedics and doctor. 

In perspective

NASCAR had three deaths within a year and a half and Football had three deaths in the high school and college ranks within a year back in 2000-2001.