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05
Apr 2010
Deputies vs. LAPD in a "Fight for Life" in Montebello

Guns, beers, fisticuffs and police, on any other day this combination is almost sure to result in criminal charges, but the elements came together to take-on cancer in the City of Hope's "Fight for Life."

Spectators poured into the Quiet Cannon Golf Course Friday March 26 to watch LA County sheriff's deputies square off against LAPD's finest in seven contest for pugilistic superiority.

While sheriff's deputies won five of the seven bouts, everyone involved emerged victorious, helping to raise more than $50,000 for cancer research and treatment in the event's 16th year, said event organizer Isaac Gonzalez.

"A lot of the original fighters are too old to compete, but they're still here as volunteers," Gonzalez said. "They realize these fights aren't about who wins, they're about charity and helping people with cancer," Gonzalez said.

But winning is exactly what LAPD Officer Ivan Guillermo had in mind for his rematch with deputy George Caamal.

Caamal won a unanimous decision over Guillermo their last time around.

"He got lucky last. It was his birthday present," Guillermo said. "This year is totally different. I might never lace-up again if I lose."

Despite his previous triumph, Caamal wasn't about to take his opponent lightly. In addition to working ten hour shifts at the Sheriff's Inmate Reception Center and helping his wife with their newborn Caamal trained three hours a day over the fight weeks leading up to his fight.

"I actually trained a week more for this fight," Caamal said. "The last time I dropped him, so I know he wants it bad."

A unanimous decision ended the thrilling three round, 165 pound match with Guillermo's hand raised in victory.

"It looked like a pro-fight," Gonzalez said. "They were staring each other down, standing toe to toe, no one backed down, until it went to the cards."

"After it was done they hugged and teased each other. They're friends," he said.

The organizers of "Fight for Life" plan to move a step closer to their $1 million goal this November with an event that matches up deputies again NYPD's finest, Gonzalez said.

To date, the event has raised about $900,000 to for the City of Hope, Gonzalez said.

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