Once upon a time when the carnival came to town the town toughs and want-to-be fighters, boxers, and wrestlers could take on the traveling showmen in front of an audience.

These were the Athletic Shows, or “At shows” that featured boxers and wrestlers that put on an exhibitions displaying their skills for a paying audience.

The tradition pre-dated the possibility of lawyers and “sue-happy” patrons, and most often resulted in the local boys being tossed on their heads, emerging less cocky and beaten by the professionals who knew every dirty trick and fought people for a living.