WHEELING – The Ohio Valley Toughman Contest has been a staple of the Wheeling/Steubenville area for four-and-a-half decades. It has always run on the old saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.’

With minimal changes in its elongated history, West Virginia Sports Promotions’ Jerry Thomas said his group has always looked at “tweaking and making minor adjustments throughout the years,” he related during a telephone interview Wednesday morning from his office in Clarksburg.

“Starting on January 1 of this year, we have decided to not allow champions to return to the ring, making it a one (championship)-and-done,” Thomas said. “It’s not fun for inexperienced fighters. It’s not safe for inexperienced fighters. It’s neither for a first-time participant.”

Thomas said the change in rules was prompted by fighters entering several events and amassing a number of amateur fights.

On its website under rules, it reads: if you have ever had more than five (5) wins in amateur boxing, Kick Boxing, MMA fights or any combination totaling more than five (5) wins you are NOT Eligible. Toughman and Rough N Rowdy bouts do not count.

“At first, some of the former champions showed displeasure, but after I explained the reasoning behind the new rule, everyone was fine with it,” Thomas said. “It used to be two championships before you were ‘retired,’ but then the West Virginia Athletic Commission changed it to three before it went back down to two.”

Thomas said the Toughman has always sought younger talent, but some drop out when they have to fight a returning champion.

“We’ve had three events already this year since we changed the rule and 75 percent of the entries – male and female – have been 17- and 18-year-olds,” Thomas explained. “The new rule makes it much better for beginners.”

He added that ticket sales have been really good, as always, for the 45th annual event inside WesBanco Arena on Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the first-bell at 7.

“We had 300-plus entries and we’ve accepted 175 as of Wednesday morning,” Thomas noted. “There are also a dozen ring girls signed up.”

Champions will be crowned in 10 weight classifications – five in both genders. Those are Lightweight (up to 139 lbs.); Welterweight (140-159); Middleweight (160-184); Cruiserweight (185-215); and Heavyweight (216-400). Up to $20,000 in prize money, along with the coveted Toughman Champion jackets will be presented to each winner.