Garrett Stoddard is big for his age, in fact, he's about the size of most high school defensive linemen. Standing in at 5'8" and weighing 134 lbs. he looks out of place in his class. "Everyone is really nice, I have grown up here with them" the Simi Valley 6th grader says. "If I was to fight when I'm older I want to train here". Although, training is something he is doing now, his parents assure the press hitting the books, then the bag, is the rule of the house.
This summer Garrett got an offer to compete in a junior league that travels over the world fighting other young mixed martial artists. However after a video of him sparring was released, there was many private bids for him to fight opponents twice his age. Without condoning the offers, the Stoddard parents did say they are looking over the benefits of private prize fighting. "We just want what's best for our son, so we are looking at everything".
Critics say this is not a parental rights case, its a parental abuse case. "They are using him like a cock in a cockfight, except that cock is their own flesh and blood" says Mel White, director of Martial Arts Awareness, an international watch dog group for ethics in the sport. "This is not 'Dancing with the Stars', this is real dangerous stuff, like swordfighting is".
Let us know your thoughts by posting comments below.
No comments:
Post a Comment