By Arie Dekker
Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, hosted a Conservative Caucus fundraiser Friday, (Oct. 27, 2006) during a boxing match at The Fight Coliseum in Salt Lake City.
The venue was 'very non-traditional,' said Alan Dayton, one of five governor-appointed boxing commissioners. 'Usually it''s on a country club golf course.'
The Conservative Caucus is a group of about 28 Republicans in the Utah House of Representatives, said Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy. He said various companies such as Energy Solutions and Select Health sponsored the event, and the funds raised will be used to support candidates in their campaigns running up to the Nov. 7 election.
Between fights, the Republicans raffled off prizes - golf balls, desk sets, a cardboard cutout of George W. Bush - to distinguished guests from the Utah House of Representatives. In the same room, local boxing fans, mostly oblivious to the politicians, cheered the hometown heroes in the ring.
The Fight Coliseum is owned by Eddie 'Flash' Newman, a four-time world kick-fighting champion and friend of Hughes.
Newman said Hughes was a boxing student of his and, while unsure about Hughes'' performance as a congressman, he was 'not bad' as a boxer.
'He''s having a whole lot of fun beating that boxing bag,' Newman said, recalling when Hughes used to train with him.
These days, Hughes stays out of the ring, preferring to limit his involvement to sponsoring one of Newman''s most promising students, Chris Fernandez, a Salt Lake native and father of two.
Despite the handful of Utah congressmen socializing ringside, Fernandez was the real celebrity. Fernandez fought Daniel Gonzalez in the main event, winning the title match by a unanimous decision. It was his first attempt at a title belt.
Hughes observed the bout with an insider''s eye, quietly mimicking Fernandez'' punches and dodges from the corner.
'There''s a primal nature to all guys,' Hughes said.
He said politics is sometimes analogous to boxing.
'Sometimes you will lose a debate or your bill will fail ... but you keep persevering,' he said. 'You''ve got to be able to take punishment.'