Fire, Police Get In the Ring At Ventura Battle of the Badges
On the front lines, firefighters and police are trained to work as a team.
This past weekend, however, Ventura County’s firefighters and law enforcement officers were mixing it up … for a good cause … in their first-ever “Battle of the Badges” boxing match.
The December 5th event featured a series of amateur bouts pitting law enforcement against firefighters. The fights were the real deal – the event, and the officials, were sanctioned by the California State Boxing Council.
“Everyone who fought came out with an amateur record,” said Jason Hodge with Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, one of the organizers of the event.
The sold-out event netted more than $20,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme, and featured celebrity judges and honorary refs, among them former major leaguers Rob Dibble and Jose Cansenco.
Several local legislators even got into the act as judges, and local DJ Bo Jaxon served as emcee for the event.
Fire won the night, according to VCPFA President Chris Mahon. “We were tied two matches to two at intermission, and then we went undefeated,” said Mahon.
Men and women participated, with a deciding bout won by Ventura County Professional Firefighters’ office manager April Guerrero.
CLICK HERE to view a gallery of photos.