Battle of the Badges

Gavin Doyle who lives in Accrington and works in Rochdale

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More than £12, 000 was raised for charity on Saturday 17 April as police officers and firefighters donned their gloves for the rematch of the Battle of the Badges charity boxing event.

The fire team were victorious overall on the night, taking the trophy from the police who won last year’s contest. The fighters were spurred on by more than 1,000 spectators at the packed out event at the De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium.

The 32 police officers and firefighters that took part had been subject to an intense training programme to prepare them for the night, which resulted in them shedding an incredible 23st 1lb (or 146.5kg) in weight between them over the past four months.

For the 2009 event, all boxers were trained together from Gloves Community Gym in Bolton. However, to add a more competitive edge this year, the police team was trained from Gloves, while officers from the fire service were trained from a separate camp at Moss Side Community Boxing Club, based at Moss Side Fire Station.

GMFRS Deputy Borough Commander for Bolton, Ian Bailey, said: “The evening was a great success, not only because our team won, but due to the fact that so much money was raised for our charities.

“All the fire and police boxers that took part have worked extremely hard in the run-up to this event. Well done to both teams and also to the staff at Gloves Gym and Moss Side Boxing Club, who have put in a lot of time and effort to train up the two sides over the past few months.”

PC Chris Worthington who led the police boxing team and was MC at the event said: "The atmosphere and support for the boxers on the night was amazing and a lot of money was raised. Obviously we were disappointed not to be taking the trophy back home with us, but congratulations to the fire team on their well-earned victory. All the boxers put on an excellent show and a great night was had by all.

"I would also like to thank the staff from Gloves Gym, who put so much effort into training the police fighters.”


Students from Salford City College studying an NVQ in Coaching, Teaching and Instruction also helped with the training at Gloves Gym, as part of the college’s Sports Academy programme. Each student was assigned to a police officer to help them train and they also helped boxers to warm up on the night.

Police officers that took part were from the Bolton and Salford Divisions of Greater Manchester Police. Firefighters were recruited from all areas of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to take part.

The money raised will go to the Firefighters Charity, Amir Khan’s not-for-profit Gloves Gym and Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Police Trust.