Police, criminal justice professionals fighting for charity
They've been training, they've been talking trash, and now they're ready to get in the ring.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, area police and criminal justice professionals will lace up the gloves and step into the ring in the second annual Tuition Knock Out. The event, hosted by the Aurora chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, features 15 amateur bouts followed by 10 exhibition matches featuring the law enforcement professionals.
Proceeds fund scholarships to be awarded to students in the winning boxers' communities.
The amateur bouts begin at 2:30 p.m. at La Sierra de Aurora, 2121 E. New York St., Aurora. Volunteer exhibition matches begin about 5 p.m.
General admission tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door for adults, and $5 for children younger than 10. VIP passes for priority parking, a collectible lanyard and seating in the first three rows are $50.
Tickets are available at the Aurora, Elgin and Oswego police departments; Aurora Policemen Credit Union; Kane County sheriff's office; and ticketriver.com.
Here's the Daily Herald's "Tale of the Tape" on the police and criminal justice professionals stepping into the ring.
Jeff Swoboda
Job: Elgin police chief
Age: 44
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Reach: "I'm the guy they coined the phrase 'long arm of the law' after."
Experience: "I have never boxed with gloves."
Preparation: "Meat lockers and raw eggs."
Message to opponent: "I'm sorry."
Vs.
Greg Thomas
Job: Aurora police chief
Age: 53, "Too old for this."
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Reach: 28"
Boxing experience: None
Preparations: "Laying on my couch visualizing the match."
Message to opponent: "Jeff, don't damage my pretty face."
---
Dwight Baird
Job: Oswego police chief
Age: 45
Height: 6'
Weight: 189 lbs.
Reach: 37.5"
Experience: None
Preparations: "I have been working out by running and doing other cardio. I've hit a heavy bag some. Watching 'Rocky' movies."
Message to opponent: "I know Sheriff Perez has announced he is retiring but he may have to retire early after our match."
Vs.
Pat Perez
Job: Kane County sheriff
Age: 56
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Reach: 70" (claimed)
Experience: "I hold a 2nd-degree black belt in Shou' Shu' since 1987."
Preparations: "A lot of cardio, heavy bag work and rope training."
Message to opponent: "Being the oldest fighter on the 27th, I'll try not to take a nap between rounds. Never underestimate the old guy!"
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Ana Lalley
Job: Elgin police commander
Age: "Young enough to put the hurt on my opponent."
Height: "Same as Laila Ali."
Weight: "Seriously? No comment."
Reach: "Long enough to sting like an angry bee!"
Experience: "Does a street fight count?"
Preparations: "See the above question!"
Message to opponent: "Muhammad Ali said, 'If you even dream of beating me, you'd better wake up and apologize.' And good luck! See you in the ring!"
Vs.
Kristen Ziman
Job: Aurora police commander
Age: 40
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 127 lbs., all "bone-crushing muscle."
Reach: "To the end of my hand."
Boxing experience: "One time on a Nintendo DS. I was BEAST."
Preparations: "I have watched YouTube tutorials on how to box. I also rented 'Rocky' from Netflix."
Message to opponent: "I just increased my life insurance policy, so punch away!"
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Alex Bederka
Job: Kane County assistant state's attorney
Age: 32
Height: 5'11"
Weight: "Just had Oberweis and I'm scared to look."
Reach: "A foot longer than Richard Irvin's. Just past his ears."
Experience: None
Preparations: "A few sit-ups, a few push-ups and lots of praying."
Message to opponent: "Hope you're better in the ring than you are in the courtroom - let alone on trial!"
Vs.
Richard Irvin
Job: Aurora city alderman, defense attorney
Age: 43
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 169
Reach: "Extremely long."
Experience: "Only in the mean streets of the 'hood in Aurora."
Preparations: "Currently training with Jesse 'The Law' Torres."
Message to opponent: "Round One, you're done. Round Two, you're through. Round Three, I'll float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. I'm gonna drop you like a bad habit. Imagine the ring is a child's playpen and it's nap time, son. I'm about to put you to sleep. You can't run. You can't hide. The boogeyman is coming to get you and his name is Sugar Rich."