Imagine getting a chance to demonstrate all of your strength, speed and skills in a physical display of complete domination. No, I'm not talking about a friendly romp in a sorority house. I'm talking about Ashby Fight Club. Ashby Fight Club is a brand new organization, and while the members consist entirely of JMU students, there is no official connection to the university. The name may be deceiving, because contrary to popular belief, this is not a no-holds-barred underground venue. Instead, fighters strap on headgear and boxing gloves, and whale on each other in a boxing match setting. Since none of the fighters have any boxing experience, the result is simple: two people, standing toe to toe, throw haymakers until one of them goes down. There's not a whole hell of a lot of technique here. But sheer guts go a long way in Ashby Fight Club.

Junior Kyle Peddicord and his roommates created the club several months ago when their weekly boxing matches started to draw more of a crowd. After the spectators themselves started getting involved in the fights, Ashby Fight Club was born. As of right now, there are between 15 and 20 fighters that regularly participate. However, that number is steadily increasing every week. The bouts are held in one of the grass sections of Ashby Crossing. Now that winter is setting in, an inside residence is being investigated. The fights consist of three one-minute rounds, and if that sounds easy to you, I challenge you to try it.

By the end of the first round, most fighters are already winded from throwing a barrage of jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Sometimes, fights don't last too long. Ask some of the guys who left the ring with bloody noses or concussions. People who are worried about their modeling careers are not encouraged to attend. Since its inception, Ashby Fight Club has seen its share of great fights. Most matches are videotaped, much to the disappointment of some of the vanquished. One bout ended in a 10 -second TKO, while another one saw at least three knockdowns from each fighter. There has even been a women's brawl, featuring two able fighters who weren't too harsh on the eye. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come. Fights are organized on a fairly simple basis: show up, challenge someone or be challenged. There are no seedings, weight classes, or divisions. This forum makes for some excellent match-ups, as well as some David and Goliath type brawls.

Those wishing to compete in Ashby Fight Club should definitely just show up. The laid back, casual atmosphere is not intimidating in the least, and I guarantee that you'll get to fight. Just remember that it's not all fun and games once you get in the ring. Take a shot to the croagies and you'll be explaining to your lady friend for the rest of the weekend. But all the brawlers leave on good terms, and outside of the ring, everyone remains tight. Like Tyler Durden said in the movie "Fight Club" 'How much do you really know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?' If you feel like coming out, contact Kyle at peddickt@jmu.edu. You might be the next Roy Jones Jr. Then again, you might just get your ass kicked.