PALM BAY, Fla. — A father refereeing a street fight between his son and another teenager suddenly lost his cool and started fighting too, investigators said. Gary Johnson Jr. is an emergency room technician who is facing a long list of charges after he was accused of hurting someone rather than helping them. He faces charges of aggravated battery, child abuse, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It was like a scene from the movie “Fight Club,” except it was no movie, and it was hardly an even match. Police said Johnson had just refereed a street fight between the other teen and his son, who gave up. Police have not released the name of the 16-year-old victim because of his age, but authorities said he came to the Johnson’s home for the semi-organized street fight. But when the teenager started talking back to Johnson, the roles suddenly changed. The 6-foot-5-inch, 220-lb. man clocked the 16-year-old in the head, knocking him to the ground and continued to beat him. Eventually Johnson’s son returned to try to break up the fight by holding his father back. WFTV went by the Johnson home, but Johnson’s father slammed the door without saying anything. According to the police report, Johnson said he agreed to “monitor” the fight between the teens to make sure it was fair. But police said he should have never allowed the fist fight to happen, let alone join in.

Kmarko had a pretty good write up about this on the U this morning. But honestly what did this kid think was going to happen here? I mean you don’t walk into somebody else’s backyard and let them bring in their own official’s nevermind their own dad! Obviously there is going to be some referee interference at some point. Like there has never been a fight in the history of fights where a celebrity ref didn’t get involved. It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen but rather a matter of when. Seriously who is the promoter for this 16 year old? I’d fire his ass yesterday. You let your man sign a contract to fight in somebody’s backyard with their dad as the referee. It just doesn’t get any dumber than that. Where is Jack Tunney when you need him?


“THEY WERE IDENTICAL!!”