By Chris Cozzaone
The Albuquerque Tribune
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sweet science won’t be on display tonight at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
But if short-and-sweet slugfests are more to your liking, this year’s “Rumble in Rio” card, pitting police pugs against firefightin’ leather swappers, is just the show for you.
“Expect to see a different type of boxing,” said organizer Pete Camacho, of the Rio Rancho Police Dept. “There’s no time to dance around and build strategy in these bouts. You’re going to see non-stop slugging.”
Fifteen bouts — three one-minute rounds each; matching up police officers, corrections officers and firefighters from Santa Fe to Las Cruces — are scheduled for tonight. The bouts follow USA Boxing guidelines but will be sanctioned by the Santa Ana Tribal commission. Two fights are between women, and the final four are between winners on previous “Rumble” cards.
“This year, we had to turn down fighters and cut the list down to 15,” said Camacho, whose twin brother, Chris, will be lacing up the gloves.
“It’ll also be the first time we had fighters from Las Cruces and the (Santa Ana) Pueblo participate.”
Participants are required to train at least four months, said Camacho.
“What we don’t want are guys going in there without proper training. Who wants to see guys flailing their arms for ten seconds, then get winded? These guys have all trained. Some of them have been in the gym since last year’s ‘Rumble.’ ”
Last year’s “Rumble in Rio” received a lot of attention when Mayor Martin Chavez threatened to discipline any Albuquerque officers who participated in the event. A lawsuit arose, then a second one, after a would-be participant from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department threatened to sue organizers after he was denied a fight due to past heart surgery.
“We won both cases,” said Camacho. “The case with Mayor Chavez went to federal court and we came out ahead. And the case with the Sandoval County fighter was thrown out of court.
“This year, there’s no controversy, and we’ve been able to concentrate on the event.”
Camacho said the final four fights of the night, all between past “Rumble” winners, should be the best.
In the final bout, Albuquerque firefighter Melvin Parker takes on cross-town police officer David Padilla. In the three bouts preceding, Rio Rancho firefighter John Colby goes up against Albuquerque policeman Jessie Becton; Bernalillo County fireman Gilbert Martinez fights Wilhem Gyorgy of the Metro Detention Center; and Bernalillo County Sheriff Michael Davies takes on police officer John Dickerson, of Rio Rancho.
“Others who lost on past cards had such a great time, they wanted to come back,” said Camacho. “It’s a good experience for everyone — especially for fans. While the fighters are in it for bragging rights, it’s clear that the No. 1 objective is to raise money for the kids.”
Proceeds from the expected sellout tonight will go toward providing new bicycles and safety helmets to underprivileged children for Christmas. Last year, the event raised $50,000 and provided 500 bikes.
Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Tribune