“Battle of the Badges” is a Big Hit!

October 20, 2009

Cops 4 Kids Fundraiser draws a huge crowd

Everyone knows that firemen and police officers are some of the bravest individuals you will ever meet. They have to battle raging fires and stare down dangerous perpetrators on a daily basis. So when they’re off duty, they really need to let off some steam. And what do they do to unwind? They fight each other, of course!

Fighting out of the red corner, the fire crew took on the blue corner (made up of members from the police department) in the twice-yearly “Battle of the Badges XIII” Boxing Tournament held this past weekend at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Southern California’s Temecula Valley.

The show was a fundraiser for the Cops 4 Kids & Communities non-profit organization, which benefits at-risk youth through sports, educational and art programs. The charity, founded by law enforcement members, provides field trips for underprivileged youngsters and also presents several scholarships throughout the year. “We help by offering role models and mentors for the kids,” explained Richard Perry, Cops 4 Kids Chairman. “We teach, empower them and offer a positive influence.”

This was my second time attending the event and I’m already looking forward to their next show! I knew it was going to be a fabulous evening when we first arrived at the sprawling gaming destination. In the outdoor parking lot I witnessed many exuberant tail gate parties going on with the anticipation of seeing their police and firefighter pals gearing up for battle. I also saw a familiar face while checking out the dressing room area. Veteran cornerman “Indian” Willie Schunke (Chris Arreola’s cutman) was donating his own time to wrap the hands of several competitors. He was helping out female fighter Jennifer Anaya when I greeted their team. I told her that she’s in good hands since Schunke’s been in the corner of many champs. Later in the night, the spunky young woman went on to win her bout against the tough Karla Berrelleza.

Entering the plush Grand Ballroom, guests took part in a silent auction with many boxing, baseball, football, and basketball collectibles up for grabs. An autographed guitar from the Jonas Brothers, signed “Twilight” memorabilia and framed posters were also open to bids.

A choir from the charity’s “School of Rock” musicians’ program started the show off with a bang singing a spirited version of the National Anthem. There was even a special presentation in center ring for the Pechanga tribal members whose casino and hotel hosted the event.

Before the fights got underway, I spoke with Cops 4 Kids’ Executive Director Jeff Penn about his show’s packed audience. Penn, a former officer, said, “We have a great crowd–over 1,900 people!” Since it was such a huge turnout, there were large screens projecting the live action so that every seat in the house ensured a good view.

An added bonus at the beginning of the event was an exhibition by some amateur boxers from clubs around town. Cops 4 Kids has their own club, the Real Deal Boxing Club from San Jacinto, who was part of these pre-fight festivities. Local resident and boxing trainer Steve Harriman came out to lend his support to these local kids. A former amateur boxer himself, Harriman works together with other clubs in surrounding cities. “We work together with them a lot; the Hemet clubs come here often. We see quite a bit of each other,” Harriman told me. “Last night, they came to spar with my kids in our gym, the Riverside County Boxing Club.” The trainer, whose grandson is a Pechanga Indian, really raved about the charity show, “It was an awesome show with a big crowd!”

I ran into another big supporter of amateur boxing at the fundraiser, Golden State Boxer’s Association President Larry Montalvo, who was there with his wife, Elsa. Larry has spent decades involved in the sport and also worked closely with the legendary Johnny Flores. The cheerful couple enjoy giving their support to worthwhile causes like this one and had a fun time at the show.

There were 16 bouts featured on Saturday’s fight card with competitive exchanges involving all ages, heights, weights, and skill levels. There was something for everyone. The male and female participants ranged in ages 22 to 56 (and a mother of six!) with experience ranging from zero to nine fights.

Yes, there was some blood shed, a couple of black eyes, and several bruised egos…but the rookie combatants also walked away with a new sense of pride for bravely facing their foes all in the name of a good cause. With self-imposed nicknames like “No More McDonald’s,” “White Lightning,” “Ice Cold and my personal favorite “Man-Bear-Pig,” some of Riverside County’s finest officers laced up and showed off their arsenal of weapons in the ring–their jabs, hooks and uppercuts! Guns were drawn, but these “guns” were the biceps of the firefighters, deputies, sheriffs, and correction officers that all donated their time to the take part in the show.

Fighting in front of coworkers, family and friends who held up handmade signs to cheer them on, the competitors were given the rock star treatment as they made their entrances into the ring. As Wayside Loop ( popular band from nearby Hemet) performed songs like “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Beat It,” the boxers were announced to the crowd as they walked through a cool smoke and fog effect with the rousing live music playing. It was great, a terrific way to honor these guts and glory heroes who participated in the charity event.

The fighters did not hold back from some obligatory taunting before the bell rang with a lot of trash talking going on. Setting their shields aside, these courageous warriors refused to “go out on their shield” inside the ropes, with many TKOs and KOs happening fast and furious throughout the evening. These sluggers really left everything in the ring–not leaving it in the hands of the judges–with only a couple of bouts actually going the distance. But safety was a top priority and the capable referees made sure to step in to protect the boxers at the slightest hint of any trouble.

“This show gets bigger every year!” says Rebekah Ford, who has volunteered at the event for over a decade. “I love this venue. We had the show here before and it’s great to be back at Pechanga.” Don’t let her pretty face fool you. Ford, who works in the District Attorney’s office, is a tough-as-nails fighter herself who has fought in a previous show.

The ebullient Ford had a hectic night ahead of her. While working at the show she also had to corral her posse of fighters from the Riverside Police Department, “We had five boxers tonight!” The squad won their majority of their matches with a very close battle, a ferocious “dog fight” between Jorge “The Bulldog” Salazar and RPD’s Bryon “Big Dog” Adcox with Salazar slightly edging out Adcox.

And it was a brawl for it all–the victors were awarded a special championship belt and earned all-important bragging rights until their next matchups. The charity is hoping to have a show in Las Vegas in a few months.

This was the group’s lucky 13th show and it was clear they appreciate everyone’s support and generosity whether it was time, services or money donated. Masters of Ceremonies Ken Southern and Mark Blanton took time to thank the many sponsors and announced to the sold-out audience that, “All the money raised stays in the community to help our kids.” The comedic duo kept the show lively by bantering around between matches and even told a few cop and donut jokes.

Between rounds, to the delight of the testosterone set, ring card girls decked out in sexy versions of cop and firemen outfits (I don’t think real officers wear fishnets and patent leather boots on the job!) strolled around the ring. The trio of beauties enticed the attendees by tossing out boxing gloves and T-shirts to the fans. But this was an equal opportunity bunch, so for us women, we got some “eye candy” of our own during breaks in the action! Some ring card “boys” and men volunteered to go shirtless on the canvas and flaunted their abs of steel as the ladies whistled in appreciation.

After the 16 fights were over, boasting honors for the “Shortest Bout of the Night” went to corrections officer Steve Mann (now a YouTube sensation), who scored a 14 second knockout against his opponent Jon Barnhart. His coach Gil “Candyman” Nieves commented after the victory, “We worked a lot on his right, on his jab and on his power punches. He really listened and got the knockout!” Nieves mentioned that Steve’s wife Michelle was nervous at the outset, but “she now might try fighting in the next event!” Looking around the filled venue, he added, “Look at all the people here–it’s better than a lot of pro fights!

To document the victories was photographer Ray Flores from SoCalBoxing, along with a staff of three other lensmen, who donated their time to capture the combatants on film. To thank the boxers for being on the card, the Cops 4 Kids guys arranged a print-on-demand photo studio. As Flores’ fellow photogs snapped action shots, the boxers could then go to the onsite studio and pick out glossy 8x10s from their fights. An instant souvenir of their time in the ring!

At the conclusion of the well-organized event, the battle between Mike “The Pico Punisher” Macalinao and James Herrington was chosen as “Best Bout of the Night” with the World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) bestowing the winners with satin jackets. As the the crowd chanted “Pico, Pico, Pico!” Macalinao and Herrington raised their hands in victory as WBHF Board Members Richard Perry, Indian” Willie Schunke, Steve Harpst, Frank Martinez and Alex Cornejo applauded the two on their well-earned award.

There was also one celebrity guest referee, Dave Pedder of Hemet’s Pedder Nissan. A sponsor of the show, Pedder got the opportunity to put on a bow tie and help officiate a couple of the matches. The auto executive and longtime fight aficionado did a fine job as a ref and received a big round of applause.

At the “Battle of the Badges XIII,” the nearly 2,000 spectators were treated to a great night of enthusiastic boxing action between the firefighters and crime fighters. And when it was all said and done, it was a knockout event with all the proceeds going to the Cops 4 Kids charity.

Congratulations to Cops 4 Kids’ Jeff Penn, Richard Perry, Rebekah Ford, the volunteers, sponsors and fighters for an outstanding charity boxing event!