‘Hillbilly Boxing’ club lands 2 behind bars
Insets, from left: Damien Foster and Nolan Roberts (Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office). Background: Video of the "Hillbilly Boxing" club in Indiana (Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office).
Two Indiana men are facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly organizing an underground fight club called “Hillbilly Boxing”—an operation that reportedly featured minors brawling inside a makeshift cage set up in a rural field.
According to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office, Nolan Roberts and Damien Foster are accused of promoting unlicensed boxing matches without obtaining a gaming license from the Indiana Gaming Commission. Authorities launched an investigation after receiving a tip last month about an eighth-grade student from East Central Middle School participating in the fights, which were allegedly held in the Sunman area of southeastern Indiana.
The Gaming Commission also received a separate complaint describing the same activities. Investigators soon discovered at least eight videos on YouTube appearing to show people—some under 18—engaged in cage fights. One of the fighters, a 14-year-old boy, confirmed to police that he appeared in the videos and sustained injuries during one of the matches.
Detectives later located the fight site, where they say they found a metal cage erected in the middle of a field. Prosecutors allege that Roberts and Foster organized and promoted the events, which would have required a state-issued license to ensure safety standards were met.
“The videos online that capture these alleged crimes are very disturbing to say the least,” said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. “They show young people, some of whom appear to be juveniles, engaging in violent brawls, sometimes with adults. At least one participant was a 14-year-old child.”
Deddens expressed frustration that current Indiana law allows only misdemeanor charges for such offenses.
“Until the Indiana Legislature addresses the issue of unlicensed fights involving children, we will use every tool available to prosecute individuals who promote or enable these dangerous events,” she said.
Both suspects have since posted $5,000 bonds. Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 4.
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