Cops 4 Kids & Communities’ Fight Night
Punches were thrown, body shots absorbed and uppercuts rocked the chin of their foes during the 2014 “Battle of the Badges” held this month at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Here is my special report from the amateur fight night benefiting Cops 4 Kids & Communities (C4KC). It was a rollicking good time for all and all in the name of charity presented by C4KC in association with American Medical Response (AMR) and Redlands Ford.
The fighters (the night’s heroes) are members of police, fire, corrections departments, EMS workers and armed forces. Some of the men and women stepping into the ring were first-time fighters while other boxers had a few bouts under their belt. I have attended several “Battle of the Badges” through the years and I have to say, these shows keep getting bigger and better each time out.
And this February 1 bash was a complete sell out, with the crowd searching for any spare tickets before the first bell rang. The fans came early to cheer for their favorite fighters and the venue was kept rockin’ and rollin’ the entire night.
C4KC Executive Director Jeff Penn, Chairman Richard Perry, the Board of Directors, sponsors, and volunteers all put in their time to ensure a knockout evening for the fans. The show helps raise money for the nonprofit which in turn assists. at-risk youth stay away from gangs and juvenile crime with many free programs available to the children and young teens in the San Jacinto, Hemet and nearby communities. These hard-working unsung heroes like Penn and Perry from C4KC prefer to stay in the background, letting the amateur fighters shine in the spotlight.
In the Pechanga ballroom, there were also special guest and celebrity judges ringside and in the dressing room area including current pro boxers Sindy Amador (IFBA champ), Mike “Lil Warrior” Franco (former WBC youth champion), heavyweight Justin Davenport (newly signed by Thompson Boxing Promotions), pro MMA fighter “Smile ‘N” Sam Alvey (fighting February 15 at Pechanga) and former prizefighters Mando Muniz, Quran McMullan, “American’s Next Top Model” winner McKey Sullivan, “American Idol” and “X Factor” singer Caylie Gregorio and more. Familiar faces also included pro cutmen “Indian” Willie Schunke and Gil “Candyman” Nieves. Referees for the night were officials David Mendoza, Tom Taylor and Ray Chavez.
Over a dozen bouts were showcased with each gladiator really giving it their all. There were many fighters who had some good boxing skills while others made up for their lack of gym experience by sluggin’ it out with the best of them. Win or lose, all of the officers can be satisfied knowing they did their part to help kids in need.
The walkouts for these rumbles are now legendary. It’s one of my favorite parts of the show! Each slugger is given the full “rock star” treatment. A live walkout song performed by popular band Wayside Loop heralds each boxer heading out to the ring. Strutting through dramatic aura of smoke, every volunteer fighter hears the raucous roar of the standing-room only crowd. As strains of “Ring of Fire” and “Bad Moon Rising” played, I witnessed the memorable walkouts with team shirts, handmade signs, their home country flags wrapped around their torsos, and a steely look of determination set in their expressions.
They sprung out of the red corner (Fire Dept.) and blue corner (Police Dept.) ready to throw down with the best of them. There were plenty of close competitions and narrow decisions and in the end, each man and woman knows they proved their courage in the name of charity. While some fighters weren’t happy ending up on the losing side, perhaps rematches will be made to settle the score.
There were also moments of comedy thanks to the hilarious team of Mark Blanton and Ken Southern as the Master of Ceremonies for the night. Ticket holders also got to meet the ring card girls, the pro boxing champs and vie for T-shirts in the big shirt giveaway courtesy of Fausto’s Bail Bonds.
The focus was center ring where the peace officers and firefighters all squared off hoping to score a victory. With ring monikers like Nick “Flying Jalapeño” Vega, Hector “The Hispanic Panic” Tamayo, Chris “Russian Concussion” Dubiansky, Ryan “The Hitman” Hotchkiss, Travon “T-Bomb” Taylor, Daniel “Gun Slinger” Alvarez, Leo “Brick Fist” Rendon and more, the cops and fireman were ready to swing.
The audience showed their appreciation for these guts-and-glory amateur fighters. There were two female feuds between Juanita “Green-Eyed Monster” Aragon vs. Tanya Pasco and Gloria “Unbreakable G” Campos vs. Christina “Peligrosa” Banuelos that also brought the fans to their feet. Nothing like a great “chick fight” the show’s emcees touted.
A KO success, the Cops 4 Kids & Communities will be returning to the ring in May.
Check out my exclusive snapshots from the show and congrats to all the warriors!
Photos by Michele Chong
