The Associated Press
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Police officers and firefighters are training for a boxing event dubbed “Guns & Hoses” in which they’ll trade punches to raise money for charitable causes.
The March 8 boxing exhibition at Evansville’s Coliseum will pit members of the Evansville Police Department against firefighters in Evansville, Henderson, Ky., and Owensboro, Ky.
“It’s not every day you get to see a policeman get punched, and nobody’s going to jail,” joked officer Patrick Phernetton, who organized the bouts.
Proceeds from the event will be split between two charities — a fund for upkeep of the Kids Kingdom playground, and a fund to benefit people with a Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that creates a chronic feeling of hunger.
At least 15 boxers from each side will fight with opponents paired based on size and experience. Each will fight three 1-minute rounds with larger-than-normal gloves and head gear to prevent injuries.
Most of the participating firefighters and officers have relatively little experience, although some have boxed before.
Mike Doran, a lieutenant with the Evansville Fire Department who is captaining his side, has fought in the Golden Gloves three times. But no other member of his team has that kind of a boxing resume, which Doran could make for some good fights.
“Inherently, when you have people that have very little experience, it produces an exciting fight,” he said. “And people, I think, will come to see that.”
The firefighting team is training extensively, both individually and as a group, Doran said.
The Evansville police squad is also training, with officers working out several hours a week with a former policeman who has spent more than 30 years grooming boxers.
The officers gather several nights a week in the basement of the East Side Barbell gym in Evansville for direction from Gerald Rice, a 22-year veteran of the force who retired in 1990.
The training is strenuous — it includes high-aerobic exercises, sparring and intense heavy bag work — but officers said it is progressing well.
“I’m learning the hard way,” said Evansville Police Sgt. Brian Hildebrandt, who has never boxed before but is captain of the police squad. "... I found out it’s a lot harder sport than most people think it is. But, it’s an experience. It’s a lot of fun.”
Phernetton said the charities that will benefit from the event could see sizable donations. Between sponsorships and ticket sales, the event could raise up to $25,000.
Phernetton came up with the idea for the matches years ago after seeing it done in St. Louis, where the fire and police departments started a boxing match 20 years ago. Since then, he said they have raised more than $2 million for charity.