Fire victory at Boxing Contest

Date published: 15 September 2011

Billed as 'The Decider' this year's Battle of the Badges charity boxing match, between the fire service and police, had an extra edge to it - as whoever took the trophy would get to keep it! So, needless to say the pressure was on last Friday night in the Premier Suite at De Vere’s Hotel at The Bolton Reebok Stadium.

The charity event, watched by 900 spectators including Bolton’s world boxing champion Amir Khan, turned out to be a knockout night of entertainment – with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service scooping the trophy for the second year running. Competition was fierce on the night, as the police had won the event in 2009 and the fire service last year.

Firefighters went head to head with police colleagues in the boxing match to raise valuable funds for a number of charities and associations, including The Fire Fighters Charity and Moss Side Boxing Gym.

The fire team managed to build on last year’s success – winning the contest by six bouts to three.

County Fire Officer and Chief Executive Steve McGuirk said: “I am delighted to say the firefighters won this year’s event - and it was both a great evening and a great competition.

“I must say congratulations and thank you to all the participants for the months of work to get in to shape and for the thousands of pounds they have raised for charity, and also to the firefighters and their coaches who have shown real passion and commitment. This is the second year in a row we have won, and of course I would wish to be magnanimous so I will hardly mention it to my good friend and colleague, Chief Constable Peter Fahy.”