The ninth annual Guns and Hoses Battle of the Badges boxing event matching area law-enforcement officers against firefighters and other first responders will be held tonight at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
There are 19 bouts scheduled, starting at 7:30, led off by four women's matchups. Doors will open at 6:30 and the "parade of champions" is set to begin at 7:15.
"This will go down as the biggest one we've ever had," said Andy Smith, the regional executive director of the YMCA YCAP organization, which as always will split proceeds with the Forgotten Child Fund.
He said 15 bouts were the most ever before in a Guns and Hoses.
Only general admission remains, and 400 of those tickets had been sold as of Wednesday night, Smith said. Ringside tables and ringside seats already were sold out.
Admission costs $15 at the door or at www.chattanoogagunsandroses.com. Ages 6-under will be admitted free.
"We expect there will be over 2,000 people in attendance," Smith said, giving lavish praise to the organizing committee. "The most we have ever raised at this event was $25,000, and we hope to surpass that by a much bigger amount."
The bout schedule begins with Tracie Shannon of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services against Courtney Croissant of Bradley County EMS, followed by Stormer Dicola and Katie Summers of Bradley EMS against Lauren McMillion and Danielle Rector of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and Vikki Slaughter of Hamilton EMS against Stephanie Smith of Puckett EMS.
Then Conor Hough, Trevor Wheeler and Doug Evans of Hamilton EMS will box against, respectively, Michael Ampthor of the Chattanooga Police Department and Logan Ratcliff and Jeff McCommon of Puckett EMS. After Josh Williams of the East Ridge Fire Department takes on Jordan Long-Ross of the Hamilton sheriff's office, Kenneth Martin, Charlie Thomasson and Matt Rorex of the Chattanooga Fire Department will face Worlie Johnson of the CPD, Sam Conwill of Hamilton EMS and Chase Douglas of Puckett EMS.
That will lead to Ian Steams of Hamilton EMS against Joe Dunn of Puckett, Aaron Smith of the ERFD against Stephen Roberts of the sheriff's office and Michael Palmieri and Christian Long of the CFD against Charle Meyners of the sheriff's office and Lucas Fuller of the CPD.
The last four fights will pit Brandon Clark of the ERFD against Shane Rominger of the sheriff's office, Billy Blea of Hamilton EMS against Rick Cook of the Soddy-Daisy police and Keith Liles and George Johnson of the CFD against Blake Kilpatrick of the sheriff's office and Whitney Owens of the Cleveland PD.
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.