Ever since Sam Carney’s name first got out in Southeast Alaska fighting circles, Tyson Duckworth knew he would be in a bout with him sooner or later.
The two had similar levels of experience — albeit in different combat sports. Carney, 30, has fought competitively in MMA for a decade while Duckworth, 37, has been a boxer for 15 years.
“He was someone that I had heard about and I knew we were on this path where one day we we’re going to fight,” Duckworth said.
He was right.
The two boxed three years ago, with Duckworth winning in a split decision. Now, the two will be in the ring together again Friday night as the main event at AK Beatdown. This time, they’ll be competing in MMA.
Doors open at 7 p.m. at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall for the fighting event. The first fights start at 8 p.m. and after a few hours, all eyes will be on the two compact fighters from Southeast Alaska.
“You’re pretty safe in boxing because you’re wearing 16-ounce pillows on your hands,” Duckworth said. “We’re going to be wearing 4-ounce gloves. If he brings that pressure like he did (in the boxing match) it’s going to be a little bit trickier to avoid those heavy collisions and heavy shots.”
“He has a lot of boxing experience, a lot of stand up experience,” Carney said of Duckworth. “He’s well-experienced on the feet.”
Both said they appreciate having an event like the AK Beatdown where they can fight. For Duckworth, it allows him to compete against new faces from the ones he’s used to seeing at his home ring, the Ketchikan Fight Club.
For Carney, the small venue size of Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall makes for a good fighting environment.
Duckworth conceded that Carney is a more physical fighter than he is, and said he hopes to weather the blows until the very end.
“What I pride myself on is I’m not the heaviest hitter, I’m not the fastest guy out there, but I’m going to be there for the whole fight,” he said.
Carney, who said he’s about ready to move on from competitive MMA, wouldn’t have it any other way.
“When you finally step in the cage, you’re completely focused, and abnormally present. I think that’s the best way to describe it,” he said.
Tickets are available at McGivney’s and Hearthside books for $25. Tickets at the door will run for $35.
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
Nathan Herbig
Seth Elisoff
