Rockford Hero Rumble to pit police vs. firefighters in charity boxing event
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Police officers and firefighters will square off in a new boxing event that puts their pride on the line while raising money for charity.
The first Rockford Hero Rumble is slated for Saturday, Nov. 1 at Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St. It will feature seven bouts between police officers and firefighters competing for boxing belts and a traveling team trophy for the side with the most victories. The new event was announced Monday outside Hard Rock Casino Rockford, where the two sides engaged in some friendly trash talk ahead of the bouts.
The event serves to raise awareness and funds for the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, a nonprofit that supports families in Boone and Winnebago counties that are grappling with the challenges of child sexual and serious physical abuse.
“The Rockford Hero Rumble is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of courage, service, and unity,” Police Chief Carla Redd said in a statement. “The Rockford Police Department is honored to stand alongside our fellow first responders in this friendly competition that not only entertains, but also brings our community together.
“We are especially proud to support the Carrie Lynn Center, an organization that does incredible work for children and families in our community. All of the first responders participating have worked closely with the center, and words cannot fully express our gratitude for their impact. Together, we continue to build a safer, stronger Rockford.”
The event is a co-production of Jimmy Goodman, club director of Rockford Boxing Club and vice president of USA Boxing Illinois, along with Plus Seven Co. That duo is also behind the annual Rockford Boxing Classic, an outdoor amateur boxing event that brings hundreds of people to Rockford City Market pavilion in downtown.
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“We know both departments are about courage, and it takes courage to step into that ring,” Goodman said at the news conference. “They’re going to crush it that day.”
In addition to the battle between first responders, there will be high-level local and regional amateur USA Boxing bouts on the card. The rest of the lineup has not yet been announced.
Rockford police and fire departments selected the center as the beneficiary of the inaugural fundraising event.
“The fact that Rockford Police and Fire chose us to be the beneficiaries of this amazing event is so very special,” Kathy Pomahac, executive director of Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, said in a news release. “We are deeply, deeply honored.”
Team Police will be led by honorary team captain state Rep. Dave Vella, and the honorary captain for Team Fire is state Rep. Maurice West.
“Not only will it be a fun experience, but it will support our great first responders who bravely serve our community each day,” said Vella, who is also a sponsor of the Rockford Boxing Classic. “As always, the police will show up strong; ready to serve, protect, and fight for the win. I have the opportunity to lead the police department to victory as their captain, and whatever the outcome, our community will come out on top.”
West said the event will have great economic and entertainment value while supporting “our heroes, who will be giving back to our community.”
“As captain of the fire departments, I want to make sure that team police know that no matter the outcome, they are heroes too,” he said. “However, I’m going to light a spark under my team, they are going to be on fire, and they will blaze a trail to victory on Nov. 1. Team Fire for the win.”
Event details | Rockford Hero Rumble
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 (first fight at 7 p.m.)
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $30
Info/buy tickets: rockfordherorumble.com
Sponsorship available: For those interested in sponsoring the event or purchasing a ringside table of eight, or competing in the police vs. fire bouts, email Nick@PlusSevenCompany.com or PatriotsBoxingClub@yahoo.com.
Police v. Fire matchups
- Light Heavyweight Men: Davonte Williams (Winnebago Country Sheriff’s Office) vs. Owen Seabold (Stillman Valley Fire)
- Super Middleweight Women: Alexis Beu (Rockford Police Department) vs. Nicole Scott (dispatcher representing Rockford Fire Department)
- Cruiserweight Men: Tyler Borgen (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office) vs. Raul Rangel (Loves Park Fire Department)
- Light Heavyweight Women: Claudia Grenlund (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office) vs. Kimberly Delgado (Cherry Valley Fire Department)
- Cruiserweight Men: James Nachampassack (Rockford Police Department) vs. Alex Miramontes (EMT representing Loves Park Fire)
- Heavyweight Men: Michael Roushia (Rockford Police Department) vs. Brandon Sullivan (Rockford Fire Department)
- A seventh matchup is to be set soon.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
