December 1, 2009
And in This Corner… Battle of the Badges
And in This Corner... Battle of the Badges A Knockout of a Charity Even
by Lance Corcoran, CCPOA Communications Director
On a cool, crisp October evening at Raley Field in West Sacramento, law enforcement officers and firefighters from across Northern California came together to heat up the ring at the 2009 Battle of the Badges, a charity boxing event benefiting the Firefighters Burn Institute, Sacramento Sheriff's Department Toy Project, and the Sacramento Fallen Officers Resource Fund administered by CSP-Sacramento.
Sponsored by Montes Entertainment, No Limit Fighting, and CCPOA, the event featured 24 adult fighters - 18 of them correctional peace officers.
In the first bout of the night, 39-year-old heavyweight Raymond "Sugar Ray" Cancel from CSP-Sacramento took on 35-year-old Ken Amodo from DVI. Both fighters were heavy hitters, with Cancel taking two standing-eight counts and Amodo getting knocked down in the 3rd round. Ultimately, Amodo won the fight with a unanimous decision.
Next up was Mule Creek State Prison's Kelly McKinnon - one of four female fighters - against a firefighter from Clarksburg. McKinnon made quick work of the firefighter, with the referee stopping the fight in the 1st round.
Fighting in the sixth bout of the night, Anthony "El Gallo" Chacon from CSP-Sacramento and Daniel Gehm from CMF-Vacaville were well matched. Chacon caught an overhand right punch from Gehm and was knocked down in the 1st round. After a standing-eight count, Chacon appeared ready to continue boxing but the referee chose to stop the fight, unleashing an uproar of "Boo!"from the crowd of more than 500 boxing fans.
In the second female fight of the night, Nina Nunez from CMF was up against Julie "The J Cat" Williams from San Quentin. Williams showed great boxing fundamentals and scored with both jabs and power punches. Nunez fought back hard, but in the second round the referee stopped the bout and declared Williams the winner.
In a great battle of heavyweights, David Cummings from DVI and Christopher McElroy from CMF fought their hearts out, with Cummings winning by decision. Eric Brazil and Robert Cordray, both of Mule Creek, scored three-round decisions over their opponents from the Sacramento Police Department and the Compliance Investigations Unit respectively, to lead up to a brief intermission in the action.
After the break, one of the most anticipated fights of the night pitted Cris "Heavy Hands" Garrison from CSP-Sacramento against "Slick" Rick Turner from the California Highway Patrol. In the first round Garrison pounded away, nearly knocking Slick Rick through the ropes. Turner was able to regain control and the referee eventually stopped the fight in the 2nd round, the victory this time going to the CHP.
Abraham Sacay of CSP-Sacramento, and Arturo "El Tigere" Serrato, DVI, were up next, as Serrato entered the ring to the music of a live Mariachi band. The two correctional officers fought hard for three rounds, with Sacay scoring the victory by decision. Antonio "Rocket" Rodriguez, CSP-Sacramento, and Shaun Dean, Folsom, also fought for three rounds before Rodriguez got the victory by decision. Larry "Pitbull" Fernandez from CSP-Solano scored a decision over a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy, bringing us to the main event of the night.
The two heavyweights entered the ring: Larry "Psycho" Ward from CMF, and James "Lights Out" Dorris, representing the Folsom Police Department. Lights Out turned out to be an appropriate moniker for Dorris because that is exactly what Psycho had in store for him. Both fighters charged to the center of the ring; Dorris scored a punch that briefly - very briefly - slowed Ward's assault, then Ward bounced back, unleashing a barrage of blows that put the lights out for Lights Out.
Battle of the Badges 2009 was a great success. All fighters emerged from their bouts with only a few aches and pains, no serious injuries, and ready to fight another day. The real winners of this popular event are the families who will benefit from the services of the Firefighters Burn Institute, the Sacramento Sheriff's Toy Project, and the Sacramento Fallen Officers Resource Fund.
Event promoter and host Israel Montes Jr. - himself a two-time boxing gold medalist at the Western States Police and Fire Games - offered his appreciation for everyone who made this sixth annual Battle such a success. "I just want to thank all of our event sponsors, the competitors, friends and fans, and especially our volunteers," Montes told the crowd.
Israel and his brother, Luis Montes, along with event co-hosts Shawn Correa and No Limit Fighting, put on a terrific event. When asked about a seventh annual Battle, Israel said with a laugh, "I always say that this will be the last one." After a brief pause, Israel added, "Look out for next year!"
So if you're itching for a fight, there's no time like now to hit the gym and start training for the next Battle of the Badges - it'll be here before you know it. And if you're interested in participating as a competitor or a volunteer, contact Israel Montes Jr. by emailing izzynation@frontiernet.net.
