Boxing event supporting law enforcement, firefighters, sells out in Milwaukee

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hundreds crowded into Milwaukee’s Dropout Fight Club Saturday night to watch local law enforcement officers and firefighters go head-to-head in the ring for the first “Battle of the Badges.”

The event, also referred to as “Knockout 911”, featured 11 different bouts, including three female fights.

And while everything was in good fun, the fights were for a better cause.

In the ring, there was a blue corner and a red corner.

The blue corner, featuring Milwaukee police, fundraised for the police association’s Fallen Heroes Fund and for the family of Officer Peter Jerving, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in February.

The red corner, featuring Milwaukee firefighters, fundraised for Ignite the Spirit MKE, a nonprofit dedicated to helping firefighters and their families in times of need.

Firefighter Joe Flick told CBS 58’s Ellie Nakamoto-White the event sold out two weeks early.

“It warms my heart that so many people want to get out and interact with our firefighters and with our law enforcement officers, and show them that they’re there to support them,” Flick said. “Even though there is some pretty good entertainment out there, this really is about making sure that the officers and firefighters out there know that people got their back.”

While this was the first boxing fundraiser, Flick said he hopes this can turn into an annual event.