Duke Roufus and his gym, Roufusport, is being sued by the family of kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr. after the fighter died during a fight promoted by the famed coach.
Munson Jr. passed away in 2014 due to complications from head trauma suffered in a kickboxing match.
According to a report filed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the estate of Munson Jr. and memebers of his family are the plaintiffs in this case. The lawsuit filed suggests the defendants showed negligence, maliciousness and deliberate indifference in Munson Jr.?s death.
Other defendants in the case include co-promoter Scott Joffe, ringside doctor Carlos Feliciano, referee Al Wichgers, coach Scott Cushman and coach Joe Nicols. A pair of insurance companies in Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund were named as defendants in the lawsuit as well.
At the time Munson Jr. passed away, the Wisconsin Department Of Safety & Professional Services did not oversee kickboxing events. A new law passed on March 1 has changed that and they now oversee kickboxing events.
A video of the fight, which was obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel showed doctor Calos Feliciano staring at his cell phone instead of watching the fight Munson Jr. participated in.
Once the three round bout concluded, Munson Jr. collapsed and would pass away a short time later, he was only 24 years old.