A near capacity crowd filled the Richmond PAL Sports Complex April 20th for the first Battle of the Badges of 2013. Those in attendance watched some of the best Public Safety fighters in California go toe to toe. Fighters from Los Angeles, Avenal, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo and San Mateo were represented on the card.
Bout -1 featured 
middleweights Brent Burkhart, CDCR DVI Prison vs. Quincy Mirage, Los Angeles Police Dept. In a must win fight, Burkhart vs. Mirage was an easy choice to start off the Richmond Battle of the Badges. The first bout is as important as the main event; it sets the tempo for the rest of the event. Burkhart and Mirage did not disappoint. Both fighters knew they would be in a war and prepared mentally and physically to be tested like never before. When the bell sounded both guys came out landing brutal shots and it continued until the final bell. The judges would have a tough fight to score. In a very close fight, Mirage would get the hard earned split decision win. Burkhart and Mirage are gladiators that were made for each other. They could fight ten times and it would be a war every time. Burkhart vs. Mirage are Public Safety’s Gatti vs. Ward. This fight would receive “Fight of the Night” honors.
Bout -2. 
Featured Heavyweights Craig Hamblin, CDCR Solano Prison 215lbs vs. Mike Hernandez, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. 212lbs. When the bell sounded Hamblin came out fast throwing combinations and pressuring Hernandez. The first half of the round Hernandez didn’t throw any punches; he just circled around the ring and seemed to be studying Hamblin. Once the round ended everyone in attendance knew where Hernandez got his nick name “Sweet Feet” from. In the 2nd round Hernandez went to work landing counter right hands over Hamblin’s jab and not sticking around for Hamblin to return the favor. Hamblin pursued Hernandez the whole fight but couldn’t seem to cut the ring off. In the 3rd round Hernandez continued with his footwork, head movement and counter shots to secure the victory.
Bout 3 featured Super Cruiserweights Ryan Hotchkiss, San Mateo PD vs. Sunny “Sunshine” Gerber, Grover Beach PD. When the bell sounded Hotchkiss got off to a quick start, taking full advantage of his height and reach throwing one, twos and keeping Gerber at the end of his punches. Gerber was able to close the distance and land some body shots on the much taller Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss would eventually get the distance he needed to connect with a crushing right hand that surprisingly dropped Gerber. Most people would not have made it up but Gerber isn’t like most people. He would beat the count and come right back at Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss continued to impose his will on Gerber which resulted in another knock down. He was warned for hitting behind the head and Gerber may have been affected by it but refused to quit. The referee would eventually stop the fight. Hotchkiss winner 1st round TKO. Hotchkiss came into this fight with Gerber as one of the hottest Super Cruiserweight prospects. It is still early to tell but Hotchkiss may be the one everyone has been waiting for to challenge the #1 ranked, lb 4 lb, undefeated, Police Olympic Gold Medalist Chris “The Bull” Barrios, LASD for the vacant Super Cruiserweight Title.
Bout 4 featured Jr. Middleweigh
ts Chris Martinez, Avenal Police Dept. vs. Brandon Manning, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. – No feeling out period in this one. Each fighter knew what they had to do to win. Martinez needed to keep the fight in the middle of the ring and Manning needed to make it a rough and tough inside fight. From the beginning to the end Manning gave Martinez no reprieve, pressuring him the whole fight. Martinez landed some nice combinations and displayed beautiful footwork and lateral movement. Martinez landed the cleaner blows while Manning landed the harder ones. This fight would be very tough to score. Do you score the fight for the pressure fighter or the smooth boxer? Manning would pick up a very close split decision win. These guys have already agreed to a rematch May 24, 2013 LA Battle of the Badges. This match up may turn into a classic trilogy.
The fifth bout of the evening featured the only female fighters on the card, a pair of #1 ranked undefeated modern day gladiators. Julie “J-Cat” Williams, CDCR San Quentin Prison and Stephanie “Motor City” Sparks, Los Angeles SD are not looking for easy fights. They want to test themselves against the best out there so they agreed to fight each other at a catch weight of 175lbs. On paper this had the making of a knock down drag out fight and Williams and Sparks exceeded that. The fight would be nothing short of spectacular. Just when you thought one of the fighters would give up they would come back with a flurry of punches. Williams and Sparks dished out punishment and received punishment until the bell sounded to end the fight. Williams would pick up the razor close split decision win and remain perfect at 5-0. Williams and Sparks would earn “Fight of the Night” honors for their heart, desire to win and the sacrifice they made to make this fight happen.