What I Learned Underground Fighting for Drug Money
At one point in my life, I was addicted to Meth for 4 years. During that time, I had my fair share of “hustles” to get money for meth. This was perhaps one of the most insane ways I made my money.
I hung out with a lot of other meth addicts and fights were not rare. Over time, I developed a reputation for taking down the people I got into brawls with. On one occasion I got hit with a crowbar and somehow managed to win the fight. As if anyone really wins in that situation. Before long, my “friends” recommended I try fighting for money.
I ended up being brought by one of them to a construction yard to watch a couple fights. After the fights, I met the pit boss, bookie, or whatever you call someone who runs illegal fighting rings.
There was a whole process of being able to join the “club.” I had to participate in two or three unofficial fights before I could become part of their bootleg version of fight night.
So, I did it and I was in. It went pretty good for me for a while at least where making money was concerned. I made $500 a fight. After a while, I was making $750 a fight if I won and half of that if I lost. During that time, I lost a tooth, broke my nose, dislocated my shoulder and got more scrapes and bruises than I can possibly remember.
This all ended with one fight. This is the part of the story where I should tell you the title of this story should really have been, “The Time I Got Beat the *%&# up for Drug Money.” For that fight, I was offered $1,500 dollars but when I arrived I was offered $3,000 if I let the guy kick my ass at the end.
What can I say? I was a drug addict, so I took the deal before I even had a clue about what the guy I was fighting against looked like. I regretted that immediately—the guy was a 6' 2", 240 lb skinhead who was clearly right out of prison. I knew this because the swastika on his chest was not one that he got anywhere but jail. I was about 5' 9" and 160 pounds soaking wet—I knew I was in trouble.
Within the first 8 seconds, I got my chin split open. I maybe got 3 good hits on the other guy, while he proceeded to knock out one of my already fake teeth. The point was that I was supposed to go down at the end of the fight. The fight was supposed to last three minutes, but it was over within 45 seconds.
I got my $3,000 along with a concussion, the inside of my cheek was split open, the loss of the tooth I mentioned earlier and my left eye was swollen shut. Along with a splitting headache, came the realization this was perhaps the dumbest things I had ever decided to do.
That was the end of my days fighting for cash. While I wish I had some grandiose ending for me coming back and winning. That is not the case.
Looking back now, I can say I have gotten my life back together. A few years after that I got sober… (I know, you would think that would have been enough for me to realize I needed to quit, but no.) I am doing well—for real this time. I wish I could leave you with some message or some lesson to learn. Like “Don’t fight for money.” The reality is if you need help get it—whatever it takes to get your life back together.
—Former Addict
