Lawsuit filed against Roufusport in death of Milwaukee kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr.

(This story originally appeared on jsonline.com, a fellow Gannett site.)

The family of Dennis Munson Jr., the amateur kickboxer who died in his debut bout nearly three years ago in Milwaukee, on Tuesday sued the ringside doctor, the promoter from Roufusport and others they say were at fault for his death.

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, alleges those responsible for Munson’s safety failed in their duty to protect him during the unregulated bout by, for instance, failing to require fighters to wear protective headgear and not stopping the fight as the 24-year-old staggered around the ring.

The complaint names ringside doctor Carlos Feliciano, referee Al Wichgers, coaches Scott Cushman and Joe Nicols, and promoters Jeffrey “Duke” Roufus and Scott Joffe.

The complaint also names Duke Roufus Academy, also known as Roufusport, the Milwaukee gym where Munson trained prior to the fight. The March 28, 2014, bout was promoted by Roufusport, which has become a top trainer of fighters competing in the UFC and other promotions.

“This preventable incident was a tragedy for the family of Dennis Munson Jr., and this lawsuit is their attempt to obtain some accountability for Dennis’ death,” said Jonathan Safran, attorney for Munson’s parents, Macie Bryant and Dennis Munson Sr.

Dennis Munson Sr. said he hopes the lawsuit will make kickboxing safer.

“I’m heartbroken my son is gone,” he said. “I pray to the good Lord no one else gets hurt in that sport.”

An attorney for Roufusport did not immediately return a call for comment.

An investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel uncovered a series of errors by the officials responsible for safety during the unregulated fight — part of the fast-growing world of combat sports. Officials in charge of the three-round bout failed to stop the match despite what a dozen independent experts who reviewed the fight video said were obvious signs of distress.

The video, obtained by the Journal Sentinel, shows the ringside doctor, Feliciano, looking at his cellphone at key moments during the fight; the corner coach, Cushman, propping up Munson between rounds and slapping him after the fight, just before he collapsed; and Wichgers failing to evaluate Munson as his condition deteriorated.

Munson crumpled to the mat after the final bell, but medical treatment was delayed amid what records show were questions over his care and hang-ups exiting the 1920s-era Eagles Club. Munson died at Aurora Sinai Medical Center hours later from what the medical examiner would rule were complications as a result of head trauma. He was not taken to Froedtert Hospital, the area’s Level 1 trauma center.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, says the defendants were negligent and showed maliciousness and “deliberate indifference.”

Munson trained at Roufusport starting in May 2013 and as he approached his first fight, he struggled to cut weight.

At the time of the Munson fight, Wisconsin regulated boxing and MMA, which combines various disciplines including kickboxing, but did not regulate kickboxing. Following the investigation, a bipartisan bill passed the Legislature closing the loophole. It was signed by Gov. Scott Walker a year ago.

The law went into effect March 1. The Department of Safety and Professional Services expects a rise in the number of unarmed combat sporting events this year, yet there remains only one full-time staff member and a part-time employee to help as needed.

Alicia Bork, a spokeswoman for the department, said officials feel they have enough staff now but will monitor the workload.

“If needed, the department has the ability to increase staffing in program areas, including unarmed combat sports, to ensure that safety and oversight remain uncompromised,” she said.

John Diedrich (@john_diedrich) is a reporter and assistant editor on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s investigative team, covering criminal justice and federal issues and using data and social media to advance the team’s work. His work has been honored with numerous national awards.