Kickboxer Dennis Munson collapsed at the end of a three-round bout in March. Credit: Family photo

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Milwaukee police are investigating why video of kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr.'s fatal fight — submitted to detectives as evidence — was missing 32 seconds at a crucial moment, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Munson, 24, collapsed and died following a series of errors by fight officials who failed to intervene despite what experts said were obvious signs of distress in the March fight at the Eagles Club.

Also Tuesday, two state legislators said they were considering changing state law to regulate kickboxing, and city leaders called for an investigation into the medical care received by Munson, who died of head trauma.

After the fight, Roufusport, the promoter of the event, submitted two videos of the bout to police. The high-definition version, which police used to write their report, is missing a half-minute right before Munson fell to the mat.

A low-definition version shows the entire fight. In the missing time, Scott Cushman — the cornerman — pushed up a slumping Munson, slapped him and held him up by the neck and face.

Al Wichgers, the referee, walked over and then signaled for help. The ringside doctor, Carlos Feliciano, was looking at his cellphone. The timekeeper tapped on the doctor's shoulder to get his attention.

Roufusport officials couldn't explain the missing video footage, but said it was not done intentionally. Jeffrey "Duke" Roufus and his partner, Scott Joffe, did not return calls for comment Tuesday.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Williams, who reviewed the Munson case for possible criminal wrongdoing, questioned the missing segment in a letter to police saying he was not filing charges, writing, "it appeared those portions of the video were spliced out."

Initially, Milwaukee police officers were not concerned the missing segment was an effort to dupe them. But Lt. Mark Stanmeyer wrote in an email late Tuesday that detectives are now investigating if the video was edited, based on questions from the prosecutor. The move comes two days after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's investigation into Munson's death.

Earlier Tuesday, state Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) said they are considering state regulation of kickboxing. The state regulates boxing and mixed martial arts, a combination of many combat sports, but the similar sport of kickboxing is not regulated.

Kleefisch, a co-sponsor of the bill that regulated MMA, is studying the issue and considering whether something can be done in the next legislative session, according to spokeswoman Vanessa Morrone.

Hansen, who was author of the bill, said he doesn't recall discussion of including kickboxing but said it makes sense to consider it.

MMA was regulated in Wisconsin in part because it would bring Ultimate Fighting Championship events to the state and to increase safety, Hansen said.

"There were no rules to protect fighters or hold the promoter accountable," Hansen said. "I think we definitely should look at extending our protection to kickboxing."

The unregulated event where Munson died included some safeguards in Wisconsin's MMA law, such as a ringside doctor and paramedics. But missing were the state commissioner and his inspectors, who oversee the fights.

Munson and the other fighters had their vital signs checked by a nurse the day of the fight, but they did not receive full physicals by a doctor in the weeks before the fight — which is required for regulated events.

And the weigh-in for Munson's fight was held the day of the event, giving fighters only hours to replenish water weight lost to get into a lighter fighting class. In the regulated sports, the state requires weigh-ins be done the day before the fight, saying it is safer for fighters.

Joffe and Roufus have said they support the state regulating kickboxing, while also saying sufficient safeguards were in place the night of Munson's death.

The officials in charge of the Munson fight — Feliciano, Wichgers, Cushman and Roufus — are all licensed by the state to work MMA events. But state officials said they cannot investigate the actions of those at the Munson fight because it was an unregulated event.

All four officials have continued to work at fights for the state in the months since Munson died.

Brandy Gee, Munson's sister, said Tuesday she planned to file complaints against those involved, even if the state says her brother's death can't be investigated.

"It was wrong and someone needs to be held accountable," she said, adding she also wants to see kickboxing regulated in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee officials continue to investigate the actions of Curtis Ambulance, which violated several aspects of its contract with the city at the event.

The company did not file an event plan with the city and failed to immediately call the Milwaukee Fire Department when Munson collapsed — instead calling for another one of its own ambulances. When the more skilled Fire Department paramedics arrived, Curtis officials waved them off, saying they had a doctor on board and were taking Munson to a hospital.

But the doctor went back to the fight, and Curtis took Munson to a regular hospital instead of Froedtert Hospital, the Level One trauma center.

Curtis officials, who did not return calls Tuesday, have defended their actions.

But M. Riccardo Colella, the medical director for the city's and the county's paramedic services, said protocol was not followed and he was dismayed not to receive the report directly from the company.

Instead, the Fire Department and Colella received a copy of the report from a Journal Sentinel reporter, who received it from Munson's family. The copy is difficult to read. Colella said as a doctor and emergency medical director, he should be able to get such reports.

Ald. Robert Puente, head of the city Ambulance Service Board, said he plans to investigate if Curtis is complying with requirements.

"We are going to look into the matter and do our due diligence," he said. "If they are not filing their paperwork, we are going to have to hold them accountable."

Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing said clearly the rules were not followed.

"This wasn't a case of miscommunication on our end," the chief said. "It was a breakdown of Curtis not following the system."

Munson's mother, Macie Bryant, said Tuesday that she will push for accountability and changes.

"What they did to my son was horrific," she said. "It's about justice, and that is what I want."