Battle of the Badges VIII, a charity boxing event, will take place Saturday, August 20, 2011 in Citrus Heights, as 22 law enforcement, firefighter and military personnel participate in the all new boxing series.

Battle of the Badges Sacramento, an organization of public safety and military amateur boxing, benefits numerous local charities on recommendation from the fighters. A handful of Correctional Officers from Folsom’s two prisons are slated for fight night, including 6-foot, 1-inch, 260-pound Super Heavyweight Mike Gomez in the main event.

Gomez fought in last year’s 2010 event at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, where we won in a TKO in about one minute, thirty seconds.

The main event will feature Gomez against Bryan Williams of Fresno Police Department. Gomez has worked at new Folsom prison for four years. Gomez has a black belt in Chinese Hung Gar Kung Fu and is working on another in Shou Shu, a form of kung fu self defense.

“It’s going to be a bunch of cops beating the hell out of each other,” said Gomez with a laugh. “Getting in shape has been brutal. I expect to go in there and do the best I can and have fun while doing it. [Williams] is pretty good; he’s been boxing a long time. I guess this is his last fight, so it should be a good one to watch.”

Javier Banuelos and Chris McElroy are fighting out of the Red Corner as the two other new Folsom Prison Officers competing. James Davis, an Officer from Folsom State Prison, will fight out of the Red Corner.

All of the fighters from the two Folsom Prisons fought at least once previously with Battle of the Badges.

McElroy fought at the 2009 event at Raley Field in Sacramento. He weighs about 215 pounds and will be fighting David Richardson (212 pounds) of CDCR Solano Prison.

Banuelos (190) trains at Niavaroni Kickboxing and was awarded the most exciting fighter at the Battle of the Badges VII last year in Sacramento. He is fighting Brenden Reavis (190), a Child Protective Service Officer, in what Montes said should be one of the night’s most exciting fights.

Weigh-ins will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Folsom Lake Sports Bar and Saturday’s fights around 6:30 p.m. at Liquid Nightclub in Citrus Heights. A pre-fight ceremony honoring fallen officers, firefighters and soldiers will precede Saturday’s events.

Bryan Williams is a Police Officer with the Fresno Police Dept and is also a Police Olympic Gold Medalist who holds a record of 20-4. Williams is the UCA 2nd rated Heavyweight and will be hanging up the gloves after he fights Correctional Officer Mike Gomez, CDCR CSP SAC PRISON in the Main Event Aug 20th at the Battle of the Badges Event, held at Liquid Night Club, Citrus Heights, CA. The UCA sat down with the 2nd ranked fighter to ask him a few questions about the upcoming fight and if it is truly his last fight.

UCA – What kind of training are you doing to prepare for your fight?

BW – I have been sparring 4 days a week approx. 20-30 rounds a day, doing plenty of conditioning and light lifting.

UCA – What gym do you train at?

BW – Fresno Kickboxing Academy.

UCA – Who have you been sparring with to prepare for this fight?

BW – Some of the guys I have sparred with are Heavy Hands Strike Force fighter Brandon Cash, speed demon UFC fighter Josh Koscheck, one of my fighter’s Joey Lopez, and other pro and amateur fighters that train out of American Kickboxing Academy and Fresno Kickboxing Academy.

UCA – If you could call anyone out who would it be?

BW – James Dorris, (Folsom PD) is a fighter I would have liked to have fought prior to retirement. Why, because Dorris and his trainer (Shon Moore) think he is the best pound 4 pound fighter. I believe Dorris has a lot of holes in his game that are suspect

UCA – Do you study the old fighters?

BW – I watch old fighters but don’t necessarily study them. The fight game was different back in the day. Most fighters banged for 15 rounds, that isn’t my style. I study fighters that move and are very elusive, such as Floyd Mayweather and the lightweight fighters.

UCA – Who is your favorite fighter?

BW – My Favorite fighter is Mike Tyson because I emulated him as a young up and coming fighter. I was trained by Kevin Young who trained under the late great trainer Cus D’ Amato during the time Mike Tyson was training for the Olympics. I was trained to slip, bob, weave, create angles to throw and land my punches.

UCA – Do you have any predictions for your fight August 20th?

BW – My prediction is there will be a lot of punches thrown and a lot landed. I will land the majority of the punches thrown and my opponent will reap the benefits from learning from a true Champ!

UCA – Will August 20th will be your last fight?

BW – August 20, 2011 is Bryan “The Punisher” Williams’s curtain call, last bell, and final fight. Since the first day I walked into the Ring Side Gym in 1991, I gave all I had to the sport of boxing. I will leave with my head up high. I’ve learned plenty and I am passing on the torch to the next generation of great Law Enforcement fighters. I have fought and trained all over. From California to New York and places in between. I want to thank USA Boxing, CSAC, Police Olympics, Battle of the Badges throughout out California and the Sacramento Battle of the Badges for this awesome opportunity. Most of all the connections I’ve made with my fellow law enforcement agencies. Thank you.

UCA – Will you be one of those guys that come out of retirement if a title shot is offered to you?

BW – I will not fight again, not even for a title. Mentally I received all I need in fighting. I will train fighters till the day they ring 10 for me

Law enforcement and correctional officers, military personnel and a firefighter went toe to toe in the boxing ring Saturday night, raising money for charity in the Battle of the Badges Fight Series: Road to the UCA Championship. All matches were officiated and scored by the California State Athletic Commission

Held in the intimate courtyard setting of Liquid Nightclub in Citrus Heights, the well-attended event benefited charities including the Armed Forces Foundation, Firefighters Burn Institute and Sacramento Sheriff’s Toy Project.

First match saw Brent Burkhart of CDCR take on Gary Mungia of the United States Army. A wild brawl to start the night off, with both fighters throwing wild. But Burkhart landed more punches and came out ahead on the judge’s scorecards.

The 2nd fight featured Jose Hermosillo of the Williams PD against Jed McNamara of Alcohol Beverage Control. McNamara, who goes by the nickname “Fighting Irish” attacked with big power punches. Hermosillo fended him off with jabs in the first round, but in the second rd. McNamara pinned Hermosillo in a corner and landed a series of punches which prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight. McNamara winner by TKO 1:40 of the second round.

Heavyweight match between Dru McDonald of Sacramento Metro Fire and Craig Hamblin of CDCR Solano Big man brawl! Three rounds of haymakers from both fighters. But McDonald was more methodical with his power punches and put more of them on target. McDonald winner by judge’s decision.

Next up was a match between Francisco Flores, Stanislaus County Sheriff Deputy vs. Neil Tremethick, U.S. Army, 140lbs. This was a back and forth battle. The taller Flores used his reach to score from the outside. Tremethick in his first fight fought tough against Flores the Police Olympic Gold Medalist. Tremethick did get in his own shots once he closed the distance. Flores found the openings in Tremethick’s defense and punched his way to a split decision victory. Winner Flores.

Brenden Reavis of Child Protective Services found the openings in CDCR’s Javier Banuelos defense and punched his way to decision win.

Great fight between Eduardo Barajas of Williams PD and CHP’s Ruben Jones. Jones battered Barajas into a standing eight count in the second round and Barajas returned the favor with a bodyshot knockdown. Jones pressed the action more and came out ahead on the scorecards by a narrow split decision win.

After intermission, the fights resumed with Craig Colosimo, Mule Creek Prison Correctional Officer vs. James Davis, Folsom Prison Correctional Officer, 175lbs. Colosimo trains at Niavaroni’s Kickboxing Gym with top amateurs and pro’s. Craig is 45 yrs old but you’d never know it. The guy is in tremendous shape. Davis boxing less than two years is already an open fighter. Davis is always at the gym. He is in good hands with trainer’s Greg and Tahzay Huerta at Smash Time Gym. Good, sharp exchanges marked this fight as the fighters traded punch after punch. Davis edged this one out on the scorecards to claim the victory.

David Richardson, CDCR Solano vs. Chris McElroy, CDCR CSP SAC 212lbs. Two big guys with a lot of power. First fight for Richardson, 4th fight for McElroy. At the sound of the bell McElroy came out landing punches in bunches. McElroy’s relentless pressure scores a first round knockdown and Richardson never recovered from it. The fight was stopped at: 35 seconds of the second round. McElroy winner 2nd TKO. Richardson is in good spirits; he chalks up the fight as a learning experience and is ready to get back in the ring. Once Richardson gets a few fights under his belt he wants a rematch.

Chris Martinez, Avenal PD, traveled from the Fresno area to compete in this event and Orlando Rivera, Arizona Border Patrol flew into Sacramento Friday night from Arizona. Neither fighter traveled all that way for nothing. As soon as the bell rang the waiting was over and these fighters went after each other. Close fight, Martinez, out worked Orlando Rivera of the Arizona Border Patrol to claim the judge’s decision.

Second to last match of the night featured Mike Hernandez of El Cerrito PD taking on CDCR’s Noel Montes. A pair of sharpshooters in this fight.  Montes was first to hit his target opening a cut on Hernandez in the first round. The blood continued to pour and Hernandez continued to apply pressure to his opponent but the blood continued to pour. Due to the blood getting into Hernandez eye. The ringside Dr. was forced to stop the fight in the 3^rd round for the safety of the fighter. Winner, Montes 3^rd round TKO.

The Main Event featured 3^rd ranked Bryan “The Punisher” Williams, Fresno PD 220lbs vs. Mike “Godzilla” Gomez, CDCR 260lbs. It was Williams’s last fight before retiring. He looked very sharp, throwing short left hooks, lead right hands & crisp counter punching. In only his 2nd fight Gomez showed everyone he is an athlete and would be no easy opponent for the more experienced Williams. Gomez was able to smother the speed and power in the clench to score hits of his own. Gomez put the pressure on Williams the whole fight, forcing Williams to use his footwork, work angles and slip the big bombs thrown by Gomez. Speed kills and Williams was clearly the faster fighter and landed punches with scary power behind them. The experience proved to be too much for Gomez. Williams, winner by decision.

WOW! What a night of fights. It takes a special person to step thru those ropes and expose yourself to family, friends and co-workers.  The hard work, dedication and sacrifices the fighters made to compete benefited three great charities, CHP Orphan’s & Widows Fund, Sac Fallen Officers, Armed Forces Foundation.