Richard Galvin of Fort Gibson can claim something that none of the other fighters in Friday’s Original Toughman Contest at the Muskogee Civic Center can.

He’s been to the World Toughman Contest, competing back in May at Tunica, Miss. He lost a split decision in his first bout.

“A lot of the fans booed,” Galvin said.

Fans weren’t booing this time as he won the night’s opening bout by unanimous decision in the light heavyweight decision.

One of the loudest cheering for Galvin was his 13-year-old son.

“I’m doing this for him,” the 32-year-old. “He’s an amateur boxer and has already had 19 fights. He inspires me.

“I go sit and watch him work out and he says, ‘Dad, work out with me.’ I dropped almost 60 pounds (241 to 183.8) to get ready to do this. There will be times when I want to quit and I look at him and think if he can do it, I can do it.”

The finals will include a bout between Latishea Washburn of Chandler and Natalie Jainisch of Tulsa.

Galvin used solid body shots with his right hand to take the decision over Okay’s Conrad Young.

“I hope I can win here so I can go to the 2009 World Toughman,” Galvin said.

Jonathan Barnes isn’t thinking about the World Toughman Contest. He just wants to be in shape to make it through his finals bout in the light heavyweight division.

“I need to condition a lot more,” the Hilldale High School graduate and former Hornets’ running back said.

The 22-year-old Barnes, who works in construction for the Navy, left the ring with a bloodied nose, but he was able to get in a couple of strong rights to beat Ringwood’s John Evans by unanimous decision after the three one-minute rounds in the 12th bout on the card.

Barnes has been through the rigors of high school football, which includes being on the receiving end of bone-jarring tackles, and he doesn’t hesitate to which one was harder.

“This one is,” he said after climbing out of the ring. “I’m so tired right now that I can hardly talk.”