There was plenty of blood, sweat, food, beer and badges all in the name of charity.
Kern County police officers and probation officers battled it out fisticuff style at the 14th annual Battle of the Badges April 25 inside Cal State Bakersfield’s Icardo Center.
The event is put on every year by The Bakersfield Police Activities League.
There were a total of 13 fights planned, but only 12 actually started and only 11 actually finished.
The last fight between Kern County Probation officer Eric Medrano and Jerry Miranda, California Department of Corrections, was called a TKO 35 seconds into the first round because Miranda injured his right leg just as the match was about to begin.
Earlier on in the agenda, a fight was forfeited by Bakersfield Police Department officer Damacio Diaz because of an ankle injury he received while running.
Julio Martinez, probation, showed up to show his support despite not being able to have his rematch against Diaz who had beaten Martinez at last year’s Battle of the Badges by a decision.
According to Martinez, it was disappointing that he didn’t get to fight, but he said that the reason they are there is to help the kids and the police department.
“It’s a chance to show that hard work pays off,” said Martinez.
The crowd roared with laughter and cheered when Todd Marain, CDC, took on Jacob Hale, probation. Looking like “Butterbean,” Marain punched Hale, who actually resembled Andy Kaufman, so hard and fast that Hale fell to the ground three separate times once so hard that it didn’t appear that he was going to get back up.
The five judges scored that bout a split draw, but Hale’s face looked swollen and bruised while Marain appeared a little tired but didn’t seem to have a scratch.
Even females let their fists fly as California Highway Patrol officer Rosa Archer fought for supremacy over Tehachapi Police Department officer Amelia Perman and lost.
The rounds were three minutes each with three intense rounds of full contact boxing. The combatants wore gloves and headgear, but that didn’t prevent several of the fighters from receiving cuts, black eyes and fat lips.
“All these guys that get beat up, they’ll get up and go to work the next day,” said Johnny Guerra, Miranda’s cousin.
Paramedics from Hall Ambulance were standing by to assess and assist with any injuries the fighters or patrons incurred.
There were ring girls who walked the ropes in two-piece bikinis with the round cards. During intermission, they tossed beads into the stands.
Kern County District Attorney Ed Jagels was there walking through the crowd and shaking hands.
There was a lot of drinking going on.
The beer booths stayed packed throughout the night up until they closed when the fights were over.