“Battle of the Badges” at Morongo

Annual rumble benefits Cops 4 Kids & Communities!

This SATURDAY night, the fighters will really be seeing red–and blue–at the “Battle of the Badges” Boxing Tournament benefiting Cops 4 Kids & Communities. I attended their last two shows, so I can personally say the crowd will enjoy a fun night pitting law enforcement vs. the fire department in 16 scheduled matches.

Proceeds from this charity showdown of amateur boxers will benefit at-risk youth in the area; last year’s show held in October raised over $50,000 for the Cops 4 Kids non-profit organization. At past events, there has also been a live band, silent auction and fun giveaways for the crowd.

And what’s on the menu in the squared circle? The amateur sluggers will be eating a lot of knuckle sandwiches!

Answering the call of duty to fight in the name of charity are many members of Riverside County and Inland Empire’s dedicated officers, sheriffs and firefighters. The official weigh-in will take place tonight at Morongo’s VIBE Club; these stare downs will only add fuel to the fire. Expect fireworks in the ring when the combatants face off.

Fighting out of the red corner and the blue corner will be some tough hombres with nicknames of “Thunder Lips,” “The Warden,” “Loose Hands,” “White Lightning,” “The Gun Show” and more, all duking it out for pride and glory. The Co-Main will feature heavyweights Ken “The Terminator” Hoon vs. Adam “The Crusher” Colebrook and the Main Event will showcase heavyweights Bob “The Bomb” Epps vs. Wykin “Hammer Hands” Harris. There will also be female bouts on the card.

“The volume of fighters that want to compete this time has been great,” Jeff Penn, C4KC Executive Director told me. “There’s a lot of grudge matches that have grown through the years; they’ve really been calling each other out!”

When the bell rings, the handcuffs will be placed aside with fisticuffs taking place in the combat zone!

“This has been the best level of talent and skills that we’ve ever had,” adds Penn.

But all of the fighters, who will be risking black eyes and bruised egos, are stepping inside the ropes to help the little ones who need it the most at the C4KC foundation. “The bottom line is,” Penn, an officer for almost 20 years, states, “we want to reach our youth–before we have to rescue them.” The Executive Director relies on his corp of sponsors, associates, and volunteers who band together for this bi-annual boxing show, including Program Director Garrett Spates, Rebekah Ford (“The Cookie Lady”), the Blue Corner Sponsor County Rescue Ambulance, the Red Corner Sponsor Union Supply Direct, Fausto’s Bail Bonds, Agri-Empire and Larry Minor.

The charity, founded by law enforcement members, provides field trips for underprivileged youngsters and also presents several scholarships throughout the year, with police officers mentoring the youngsters. They also have their own boxing club that competes in amateur shows. C4KC provides at-risk youth an alternate route besides a life in crime and gangs, offering sports, educational, music and art programs.

Last year’s charity show had over 2,000 fans witnessing the action. Tickets are going fast, on schedule to be another sell out so be sure to reserve yours now if you’d like to take part in the 2010 “Battle of the Badges”!

Saturday, May 8 5:00 PM

Cops 4 Kids & Communities

“Battle of the Badges” Boxing Tournament

Morongo Casino, Resort, Spa
Tickets: 888-MORONGO
For more info: www.c4kc.org

Photos by Michele Chong/ Posters by Cops 4 Kids & Communities