Raley Field Rumble-October 10, 2009

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.

In the first bout of the night, 39-year-old heavyweight Raymond “Sugar Ray” Cancel from CDCR CSP-Sacramento took on 35-year-old Ken Amodo from CDCR 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 CDCR Mule Creek State Prison’s Kelly McKinnon – one of four female fighters – against a firefighter Stephanie Johnson from Clarksburg Fire Dept. McKinnon made quick work of the firefighter, with the referee stopping the fight in the 1st round.

Fighting in the third bout of the night, Anthony “El Gallo” Chacon from CDCR CSP-Sacramento and Daniel Gehm from CDCR 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 1500 boxing fans.

In the second female fight of the night, Nina Nunez from CDCR CMF was up against Julie “The J Cat” Williams from CDCR 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 CDCR DVI and Christopher McElroy from CDCR CMF fought their hearts out, with Cummings winning by decision.

The 6^th bout featured Eric Brazil, CDCR Mule Creek vs. Patrick Cox, Sac PD. This was an action packed highly skilled fight. These two fighters showed the best skills of the night.

Bout 7, Robert Cordray, also from CDCR Mule Creek, scored a three-round decision over Brenden Reavis from 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 CDCR 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 Turner from the CHP.

Abraham Sacay of CDCR CSP-Sacramento, and Arturo “El Tigere” Serrato, CDCR 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.

Next up was Antonio “Rocket” Rodriguez, CDCR CSP-Sacramento, vs. Shaun Dean, Folsom Prison. These guys fought hard for three rounds but Rodriguez would get the victory by decision.

Larry “Pitbull” Fernandez from, CDCR CSP-Solano scored a decision win over a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy, Carlos Cabrera bringing us to the main event of the night.

The two heavyweights entered the ring: Larry “Cyco” Ward from, CDCR 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 Cyco 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.