Fight Night for Cops 4 Kids & Communities
There was a lot of “loaded guns and firepower” inside the ropes at the 15th Annual SoCal “Battle of the Badges” held recently at the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa in the city of Cabazon near Palm Springs.
Twenty-four policemen, firefighters, paramedics, parole officers, “ICE” U.S. Immigration officers and more all laced up to take part in this charity amateur boxing tournament that benefits Cops 4 Kids & Communities (C4KC), a non-profit organization founded by members of law enforcement that assists and encourages children and teens through mentoring, educational, sports, arts programs, field trips, football camps, martial arts, “School of Rock” and more. The organization also has their own C4KC Youth Boxing Club.
This event is always one of my favorite to attend and this show lived up to all the anticipation leading up to the fistic showdown between the tough and gritty members of law enforcement. Setting down their badges and shields, this courageous group left it all in the ring.
The tournament has really blown up through the years; so much so that this year there will be three “Battle of the Badges” to accommodate all of the officers that want to participate. Now that the latest installment is in the books, plans are already in the works for the next battle which will take place October 1 at Pechanga Resort and Casino. The show is fan-friendly for everyone and this latest tournament was top notch as organized and hosted by C4KC’s Executive Director Jeff Penn, Chairman and Board of Director Richard Perry, PR Dynamo Rebekah Ford (“The Cookie Lady”), the C4KC board, sponsors and volunteers. The entire team shares a passion to empower underprivileged children and at-risk youth.
And the weekend warriors bravely stepping into the ring were putting it all on the line in their efforts to raise money for the nonprofit. The night began with a bang as a kids’ dance troupe performed in the ring, showcasing what–and who–the night was all about: helping youngsters from the neighborhoods of San Jacinto and Hemet, Banning, Beaumont, Murrieta, Temecula and beyond.
Then a dozen bouts were featured including some intense grudge matches and dynamite rematches between the peace officers and firefighters. The co-main featured female sluggers Selina Velasquez vs. Rachel Dunn (who were later voted “Fight of the Night”) and the main event was Jamaal Brathwaite vs. Jesus Rocha. Since this gala sells out early each and every time, these amateur scraps were also streamed online for the hordes of fans.
Gloving up, the fighters entered the Grand Ballroom to live walkout songs by the band Wayside Loop while introduced by Master of Ceremonies Ken Southern and Mark Blanton. With new ring nicknames like “The Russian Concussion,” “The Mexicutioner,” “Nasty Knuckle Dragger,” “The Silent Knight,” Green-Eyed Warrior,” the boxers had their own entourages included in their fun and funked-up entrances. Some carried flags, some sported unique team T-shirts, some wore leather vests, and one fighter’s camp even sported matching fuzzy sideburns taped onto their faces!
Both male and female gladiators came busting out of the red and blue corners in hopes of winning the red C4KC championship belt given to the victors, who ranged from age 23 to 44 years young. Some had trained for a few weeks; some trained for months. But the energy in the room was worthy of any pro fight I’ve ever seen. The room was filled to maximum capacity with 1,100 rabid fans screaming in support.
There were some very close matches, several “Standing 8” counts and many a bruised ego, but in the end all agreed it was a great effort by all in honor of benefiting the inner-city children. And after getting a taste of the sweet science, most were not “one hit wonders.” The majority of the participants (even those who were defeated) told me they’d be back to fight again.
I caught up with a familiar face I know from the pro ranks, trainer Danny Zamora. The Santa Fe Springs coach trains former IBF Bantamweight Champ Yonnhy Perez and 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada, among others. This was Danny’s first time at this event and he trained a few of the amateur combatants. He explained that his wife works in law enforcement and they both feel this is a charity event they are proud to participate in. While speaking with Zamora, he also told me how impressed he was by these novice amateurs.
“They have so much heart! Some have only trained a few weeks,” he marveled. “But they really give it everything they’ve got. And what’s even better is that they are fighting for the kids–a great cause! I really enjoyed this show.”
During the night, there was also an auction of sports memorabilia, a ring card girl and a ring card “boy” competition, and T-shirts tossed out to fans by Fausto’s Bail Bonds. The evening also paid tribute to two fallen warriors: Hemet’s Eddie Leal, who would’ve turned 24 on July 3, and slain policeman Ryan Bonaminio from Riverside.
Also witnessing the fisticuffs and festivities were several members of the World Boxing Hall of Fame including former pro fighter Armando Muniz (44-14-1, 30 KOs), who is also known as the “uncrowned welterweight champ”, Richard Perry, Frank Martinez, Steve Harpst and Alex Cornejo.
The charity function was a KO success with plenty of Southern California representatives from the police and fire department and even an officer from Las Vegas taking part in the tourney. Former Cabazon local Roberto Angulo Jr. fought a very competitive bout and said he’s already looking forward to the next show. The friendly Metro cop had a blast at the show and his younger brother, Michael Angulo, also got into the ring–as one of the top finalists in the ring card “boy” competition held for the female fans. His brother Roberto–even in a blood-soaked shirt–said count on him to return in a future C4KC boxing show.
This year the organization will host three “Battle of the Badges” due to the huge demand from so many officers wanting to fight. 
Executive Director Jeff Penn, who is a 20-year veteran of the force, says that they’ve added more events because of the wide level of interest.
And their next “Battle” will be a bittersweet one. While raising funds for the nonprofit, Penn and Rebekah Ford also explained that the night will be a special tribute to slain officer Ryan Bonaminio from the Riverside Police Department. Officer Bonaminio was shot by a state prison parolee on November 7, 2010 so their 16th Annual “Battle of the Badges” will mark the first-year anniversary of his tragic death. If you’d like to lend support to this kids’ charity, stay tuned for their upcoming show on October 1 to be held in Temecula at Pechanga Resort and Casino.
Congratulations again to the fighters, Jeff Penn, and everyone involved in the Cops 4 Kids & Communities–and see you at the fights!
Photos by Michele Chong
