Public Safety boxing returns to Sacramento, Saturday October 6, 2012.   The Sacramento Battle of the Badges presents “Downtown Showdown” outdoors in historic Downtown Sacramento. In the Main Event there are two fighters at the peak of their careers looking to secure a title shot with a win Saturday night.  United Combat Association (UCA) #1 ranked fighter’s Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara PD and Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept will battle it out for 3 rounds for the second time. Their first fight was a war for the 2011 Police Olympic Gold Medal with Wurdinger getting the win. Expect rounds four five and six to be much of the same.

In the co-main event the 2^nd ranked Brent Bugarin Santa Clara SD, will take on 3^rd ranked Neil Tremethick, U.S. Army for the UCA NorCal Welterweight Title and a guaranteed UCA California Title shot. This fight promises to bring fireworks. Bugarin and Tremethick are a part of the New Generation of Public Safety boxing. Plus 4th ranked Super Heavyweight Cleon Jones and 6^th ranked Super Cruiserweight Adan Castillo, Yolo Co. Corrections. Both fighters want to test themselves against the best in their division. Saturday night will feature some exciting matchups.  LAPD’s Aurelio Vasquez vs. Calif Highway Patrol Officer 8^th ranked James Smith. Also in action will be 7^th ranked Jed McNamara, ABC vs.  Jack Rivera, Sac City Fire. A fight that could possibly receive fight of the night honors but isn’t getting much attention is U.S. Marine, Pittsa “Andy” Pholkham vs. 5^th ranked Brent Burkhart, CDCR DVI. Be in your seat for this one. Both guys only know one way to fight and that is to come forward and throw punches until the other guy quits.  For $20.00 you will see some of the best Public Safety Fighters in California compete. Don’t miss this exciting night of boxing.

All tickets for Saturday night’s event are $20. Tickets will be available at the weigh in, Friday Oct 5th and at the fight, Saturday Oct 6^th. 

Weigh in-Friday 6pm, open to the public.

Battle of the Badges Event-Saturday doors open at 5pm, fights start at 7pm.

Vallejo’s Restaurant 11^th and O street Downtown Sacramento.

The stage is set as 4 fighters look to secure a title shot with a win in Saturday night’s Battle of the Badges. Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara SD will take on Neil Tremethick, U.S. ARMY for the welterweight NorCal Title with the winner moving on to the Welterweight State Title fight. Tremethick and Bugarin will give everyone a glimpse of the type of skill, talent and athleticism it takes to be a UCA Champion.

In the Main Event Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara PD and Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept will battle it out in a light heavyweight title eliminator with the winner advancing to take on the current UCA light heavyweight Champion James Davis, CDCR Folsom Prison. This fight has the makings of being one of the most highly skilled, action packed fights of the year. Wurdinger and Seward will showcase why boxing is referred to as the Sweet Science. Their athletic ability, skill and hard work have lead them to each other. Both fighters will be looking for a defining victory and to send a message to the current Champion that they are coming for him.

Tomorrow night’s main event, Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara PD vs. Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept is finally here. During the past week both fighters have made their transition into fighting machines. The mental and physical aspects are at their peak. There is no favorite in this fight. Both guys have incredible skill, mental toughness and throw punches with bad intentions. It’s going to come down to who can execute their game plan and make the necessary adjustments during the fight. The winner of this fight is definitely a threat to the Champion, James Davis, CDCR, Folsom Prison. When Wurdinger and Seward step into the ring tomorrow night it will be Public Safety boxing at its highest level. Both fighters will be looking to put on the best performance of their careers and prove to everyone they are worthy of a title shot.

The Sacramento Battle of the Badges “Downtown Showdown” took place Saturday night under the lights in front of Vallejo’s Restaurant.  The California State Athletic Commission judges earned their money Saturday night. The fighters on this card have huge hearts and came to fight and were not leaving that ring without their hand being raised. There were four split decisions, one draw and five very strategic fights.

Photo Courtesy SRMMA

BOUT 1 featured nine year old Joseph Yang vs. Skai Santos, 70lbs. Yang and Santos showcased their speed, combination punching, and footwork skills for the fans. Sacramento should be proud to have these talented fighters to call their own.  Remember the names Joseph Yang and Skai Santos, LA Boxing Gym.

Photo Courtesy SRMMA

BOUT 2–165lbs: In a super middleweight showdown Jack Rivera, Sacramento Fire took on 7^th ranked Jed McNamara, ABC. At the sound of the bell both fighters came out displaying good boxing skills and balance. The first round was spent feeling each other out, measuring with the jab and looking for openings. In rounds two and three Rivera and McNamara let their hands go. Both fighters would crack each other pretty good.  The judges would have a tough decision to make on this one. McNamara was announced the winner by split decision.

BOUT 3–165lbs: 5^th ranked Brent Burkhart, CDCR DVI vs. U.S. Marine Pittsa Pholkham was a three-round war fought at a fast pace. Both fighters would consistently land hard shots and shake them off. Burkhart was the busier fighter and outworked his counterpart throughout the bout, scoring with some perfectly placed uppercuts and hooks. The U.S. Marine would not retreat and would land hooks and right hands of his own but with more power. Pholkham had to wonder what was keeping Burkhart up.  It must have been Burkhart’s iron jaw to go along with and his iron will. Tough fight to score. Burkhart landed more punches but it was Pholkham’s power shots that the judges felt were most effective in the fight.  Pholkham winner by split decision. This fight seemed to be in the books for “Fight of the Night” honors.

BOUT 4-185lbs: Javier Banuelos, CDCR CSP SAC vs. Shaun Dean, CDCR Mule Creek. Both fighters would have their moments in this fight. Banuelos pressured Dean the whole fight. Dean displayed good balance and footwork but it was Banuelos pressure and ending each round with a flurry that would be the difference in this fight. Banuelos winner by decision.

Dean would dislocate his shoulder in the 3^rd round but did not quit until the fight was over. Dean was taken to the hospital and treated for his shoulder.

BOUT 5-205lbs:  Yolo Co Corrections Officer 6^th ranked Adan Castillo put on a gallant effort in his quest to challenge the #1 ranked Pound for Pound Fighter in California Chris Barrios, LASD. Castillo knew he had to win and look impressive to prove he is worthy of a title shot with Barrios. Castillo had a lot to deal with in this fight. He had three different opponents fall out and three days before the fight Castillo was asked to take on a younger more experienced civilian fighter in Brenden Reavis and he accepted. At the sound of the bell Castillo tried to eliminate Reavis’s reach and height advantage by pressuring and pinning Reavis to the ropes to make it an inside fight. Castillo did good work on the inside but it was Reavis craftiness to get off the ropes, hold, and turn which made it hard to keep him pinned there. Castillo never abandoned the game plan put together by his trainers. He continued to pressure and close the distance for three rounds but Reavis was too much for him and was the better fighter that night. This fight would go the distance. Reavis winner by decision.

BOUT 6-240lbs: Zeke Johnston (civilian) vs. Bubba Sorgman, (civilian). Johnston took full advantage of his height and reach, landing punches in bunches. In the third round the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Johnston winner by 3rd rd. TKO.

BOUT 7-235lbs:  Shay McIntyre, LA Boxing vs 4^th ranked Cleon Jones, Yolo Co Corrections, McIntyre and Jones was a battle of two big athletic guys. The first round was very close. Jones seemed to find his rhythm in the second round throwing fast jabs while never standing in front of McIntyre. McIntyre tried numerous times to land some heavy blows but Jones did a good job of anticipating the punches being thrown. Very close second round. McIntyre showed signs of slowing down in the 3^rd round and Jones would catch him with some hard shots but McIntyre would not go down. This fight would go the distance and McIntyre would pick up a razor close split decision win.

BOUT 8 -175lbs: 8^th ranked James Smith, CHP vs. Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD. No one could imagine what they were about to witness when Smith and Vasquez stepped into the ring.   This is a fight every fan hopes to see when they buy a ticket. Both fighters were in tremendous shape and prepared to battle every second of every round. From start to finish it was a give and take battle of wills with neither man breaking.  Both fighters pushed the pace and threw thunderous shots hoping to find some kind of a weakness in each other. Neither fighter would show any signs of giving up or slowing down. The controlled aggression and combination punching by both fighters kept the fight very competitive and tough to score. For 6 minutes Smith and Vasquez gave all they had. Some fighters will go their whole career and never experience what its like to be in a fight like this.

Smith and Vasquez are great fighters and great people and will forever be connected. The judges would be forced to score another close fight. This fight could have gone either way. Vasquez, winner by split decision. This fight would receive “Fight of the Night” honors and perhaps UCA Fight of the Year.

Photo Courtesy SRMMA

BOUT 9-147lbs: In the co-main event 2^nd ranked Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara SD delivered another dominant performance against the 3^rd ranked welterweight Neil Tremethick, U.S. Army. Bugarin took control of the fight in the 1^st round. He pushed the pace and never gave Tremethick the space or time he needed to establish any kind of rhythm. With The Kennel Boxing Club trainers looking on they didn’t have to say much. Bugarin’s pressure and body assault was working perfectly. Team Tremthick did not have an answer to the well executed game plan put together by Team Bug. Bugarin winner by decision. With the win Bugarin brings his record to 3-0, becomes the UCA NorCal Welterweight Champion, takes over the #1 ranking and secures a UCA State Title shot.

Main Event

In the most anticipated fight on the card, the Main Event featured a rematch between the #1 ranked Light Heavyweight Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara PD vs. the #1 ranked Super Middleweight Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept.  Seward’s strategy the morning of the fight was to box Wurdinger, switch to southpaw, work angles and move. Once he tasted Wurdinger’s leather Seward’s game plan flew out the window and it was back on, a continuation of their first meeting. (2011 Ontario CA Police Olympics) Seward is a fighter; if you hit him he is going to hit you back. This fight could have been fought in a phone booth. It was a great display of inside fighting, ripping hooks to the body and head thrown perfectly at close range. Both guys landed thunderous shots that would have dropped most people. Seward would land some beautiful hooks but it was Wurdinger who was more effective with his combinations, consistently throwing 3, 4 and 5 punches at a time. Wurdinger’s accuracy and volume of punches would be the difference in this fight. Wurdinger winner by decision. With the win, Wurdinger keeps his #1 ranking and secures a title shot with the UCA Light Heavyweight Champion James Davis, CDCR Folsom Prison.

There is a strange contradiction in boxing, the more you practice and the further you go the less you seem to know. If you are serious about boxing you must be taught by a knowledgeable proven coach or you are wasting your time and money.  As you become proficient in the sweet science a proven trainer is valuable.  A good coach will teach you more advanced moves, drills and give you the skills and knowledge you need to compete at a high level. A proven trainer will keep things new by having you practice different techniques, tricks, traps and styles. Training at a gym under a great coach will also attract good boxers. This allows you to watch and spar with more experienced fighters and pick things up from them. Listening to a seasoned coach give instructions to his fighters in the gym is another great way to learn. Don’t be afraid to change your style, your gym, or your trainer in search of a higher level of performance. Never stop learning.

“My faith, it’s everything to me. It guides my path. I understand who opened these doors for me. I may not always want to do the right thing but my faith causes me to do the right thing because it’s what God wants me to do. I want to please God whether it’s raising my kids, trying to be the best husband I can be, the best role model, the best example, my faith is my foundation.”  Andre Ward

On November 30, 2012 Fight for Life Boxing Event returns to the Quiet Cannon, Montebello California.  All proceeds benefit the research, treatment, and education programs of City of Hope. The City of Hope charity boxing event started in November of 1994, shortly after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies, while working patrol in the East Los Angeles area, encountered a young boy who had been diagnosed with cancer. So touched were these deputies that they befriended the young boy and attempted to provide help and improve the quality of life for him and his family.

Although this young boy did succumb, the deputies continued their commitment to helping others and turned to the Los Angeles Police Department to join them in organizing the first of what is now an annual boxing event between the LASD and the LAPD.

This is one of the best Public Safety Boxing events in California. Past events have featured boxing teams from NYPD, FDNY, Los Angeles County and City Firefighters, Scotland Yard, Long Beach PD, LAPD, and LASD.  Some of the best fighters in Public Safety have competed in the Fight for Life Boxing Event. Names like, Frank Diaz, John Negrete, Ivan Guillermo, Ray Encinas, Suzie Gras, George Lopez, and Juan Bustamante from LAPD.  Chris Barrios, Mike Frazier, Rahsaan Harrison, Jorge Caamal, Angel Vasquez, Larry Cervantes, Jeff Flotree, Brian Stevens, Isabel Sandoval, Erik Ramirez, and Alan Rojas from LASD.

Whatever the outcome from this event, whether the competitors win or lose, they are all in agreement that the true winner here is City of Hope and the individuals they treat yearly.

Event Details: Friday, Nov. 30, 2012

Quiet Cannon                                $100 VIP Ringside               Parking $5
901 Via San Clemente                  $50 Reserved Seating           5:30 p.m. Gates Open
Montebello, CA 90640                 $25 General Admission        7:00 p.m. Fights Begin

Tickets available at:
City of Hope           Sheriff’s Relief Foundation      LAPD Protective League
562-946-7081         213-241-7134                           213-251-4554

Talent stacked card Sacramento Battle of the Badges, October 6, 2012. UCA Fight of the Night honors went to James Smith CHP vs Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD.  UCA Welterweight NorCal Championship fight, Neil Tremethick, U.S. Army vs. Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara PD. Winner Bugarin. Main Event UCA Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator, Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept vs. Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara SD,  winner Wurdinger.

Emanuel Steward, owner of the Kronk Gym in Detroit and an International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer has died. His contributions to boxing will never be forgotten.

Emanuel (Manny) Stewart was given his first pair of boxing gloves at age 8. That started a love affair with the sport that would last 60 years from boxer to trainer to manager to broadcaster. He was not only a jack of all traits but a master of all of them. After a great amateur career as a boxer Stewart wanted to help young men as a trainer. In the process he made Detroit’s Kronk Gym a house hold name throughout the world.. He developed many world champions led by the great Tommy Hearns. In all Stewart would train 41 world champions from 1995 until his death. His 1996 induction into the boxing Hall of Fame was a confirmation of his profound impact on the sport. For all his accomplishments perhaps Manny will be best remembered as boxing’s great ambassador. Stewart made many fans for the sport with his great personality and knowledge of boxing. Manny is one of those people who will be missed in boxing because he did so much for boxing. The sport of boxing really defined his life but he also defined the sport for all of us.

SoCal Battle of the Badges Promoter Jeff Penn and Cops 4 Kids and Communities has raised the bar once again. On December 1, 2012 the first all female Battle of the Badges Boxing Event will take place at Pala Resort and casino. Some of the best female fighters in California will be featured on this card. Jeff Penn is also working on the North vs. South Battle of the Badges Event.