This is the third year fighters have descended on Fresno for the Rumble in the Park. After two years at Woodward Park in northeast Fresno the even has been moved to Downtown Fresno.
Hundreds were in attendance Saturday, not quite the thousands expected. Early on fight fans said this was a great venue for Rumble in the Park 3 but a comedy show that followed was disappointing for some.
Rumble in the Park 3's debut in Downtown Fresno's Chukchansi Park Saturday was met with mixed reviews. Early on, fans trickled in to watch a multi-event athletic showcase.
Featured events included both boxing and mixed martial arts.
"I think it's good. It draws people in and this type of entertainment is something that people like to come to. You know, sort of destructive and stuff. It's got the fighting element in it. People like to see that," Ramiro Martinez of Fresno said.
Something a number of people did not want to see or hear were portions of a comedy show which followed the afternoon fights. Comedians used a slew of foul language with children still in the crowd.
When asked what she was expecting Katy Sutton said, "A fight and family fun." She said she was disappointed in hearing the cuss words.
"The price is way too much, we came out here to just listen to this guy cuss all the time, he's not funny," Danny Sutton said.
The mega card event is the first of its kind at Chukchansi Park. The city of Fresno owns the facility. City officials are trying to find new ways to utilize the space in order to bring in more revenue.
Although some may be disappointed in the event, Rick Mirigian, the promoter behind it says his goal is to encourage people to come downtown.
"So I've done a comedy show here before, now I've down this boxing fighting weekend, this MMA thing. I've done a night club here. So you're seeing it being used in different lights as we speak."
ABC30 tried contacting Mirigian and have not heard back. The event will continue Sunday and noon.
