Rocky goes for the punch and jab. It’s not Balboa, it’s Davalos. Twenty-seven year old fireman, Rocco Davalos, a.k.a. Rocky, of the Sacramento City Fire Dept. has been training in anticipation of the 6^th annual Battle of the Badges scheduled to take place at Raley Field, October 10^th, 2009. Rocky says, “I thought it would be fun but it’s primarily about the Firefighters Burn Institute.” Although he had never taken up boxing prior to signing on to participate in this charitable sporting event, he is often looking for new ways to keep in shape. The 6’4″ 240 pound firefighter has been training specifically for his match over the past three months and is looking forward to the experience.

After becoming familiar with Sacramento’s firefighter procedures as a volunteer, Rocco became an official part of the team about three years ago. When asked if he views firefighting as a dangerous job, Rocco stated that “I’ve never actually feared for my life … but the dangers of the job aren’t on the forefront of my mind.” “It’s not a focus as long as a firefighter keeps his wits and remembers to maintain the safety procedures … and we have others watching out for us.” The charity boxer made it clear that good teamwork and training are huge factors in keeping firefighters safe.

Rocco is the only contender from the Sac City F.D. this year but he watched his friends participate in prior years. His three-round bout is scheduled as a match with Michael Gomez with CSP Sac. Who will you cheer for? How about the three charities being benefited – Firefighters Burn Institute, Sac Sheriff’s Toy Project, and the Sacramento Fallen Officers Resource Fund.

Another contender stepping in to punch up the proceeds for these charities is Officer Rick Turner of the CA Highway Patrol. Rick has practiced boxing in his workouts through the years and decided to return for some more fun after his 2008 match held at the Memorial Auditorium. As a highway patrolman, he has had occasion to help travelers stranded on the shoulder of the highway with flat tires and provide assistance to accident victims too confused or hurt to know what steps to take to get a car towed, file a report, or handle the repercussions of a collision. Rick is a forty-year old public servant with three years experience and a lot of pride in his role at the CA Highway Patrol. After working a number of years at Aerospace as an engineer for space satellites, he decided to change into a career that he assumed would “never have a dull moment” and give him the opportunity to help people. According to Turner, the job “surpassed his expectations” for enjoyment and sense of service. He is currently stationed at the State Capitol where he protects the governor and state employees and patrols the grounds. This “prestigious assignment,” that has been a task assigned to the State Police in former years, came after extensive interviews to establish his suitability for the position.

The battle starts at 6:30 pm and you can cheer for 6’2″ 225 pound, quiet charmer “Slick” Rick during his boxing bout when he will battle Cris “Heavy Hands” Garrison of the CSP-Sacramento in the eighth event scheduled for the evening. Eager Rocco the “Mad Medic” Davalos is expected to battle in the twelfth event before the main match featuring James “Lights Out” Dorris of Folsom P.D. pitted against Larry “Cyco” Ward of CMF-Vacaville.

James Dorris has been with the Folsom Police Dept. for five years, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff Dept. five years prior. He is participating in the Battle of the Badges as a continued love for the sport of boxing that began as a boy who idolized Holyfield. Like many other everyday heroes who get up in the morning and don their respective badges, Dorris started his career in law enforcement as a means to assist people as well as fulfill his desire for daily challenges. He says, “every day is different … and its about helping people when there is a call for service … which can be someone who thinks there’s an intruder in their home, responding to calls about DUIs, or domestic violence victims … there’s a huge range of calls.”

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.