The frosty temperature and icy drizzle didn’t deter the thousands of people who made their way from parking lots and garages into the warm confines of the Savvis Center last Wednesday evening for the 17th annual “Guns ‘N Hoses” boxing card. The huge crowd was treated to an evening that was driven by fast-paced amateur action and included all of the bells and whistles of a professional Las Vegas fight card.
Nothing in boxing can match the atmosphere inside a cavernous venue buzzing with anticipation, and as the arena filled, several celebrities were spotted chatting ringside. Local pro athletes in attendance included Marshall Faulk, Tioka Jackson and Ray Lankford.
The “Guns ‘N Hoses” event also serves as a homecoming for St. Louis boxers and boxing officials. Current and former athletes as well as the referees, judges, and timekeepers who work so hard protecting the safety of boxers in our area got the opportunity to renew aquaintences. The same applies to the police, firefighters and their families in the audience. There was a palpable feeling of friendship and unity as old friends had the chance to catch up.
The evening began with the honoring of St. Louis Police Officer Nicholas K. Sloan, who died in the line of duty last January. Jerry Clinton, co-founder of “Guns ‘N Hoses”, then honored the late Myrl Taylor, the man who rebuilt St. Louis’ amateur boxing program. Clinton and Taylor founded “Guns ‘N Hoses” in 1987 and the annual event has raised $1.25 million for the families of firefighters and police officers who have lost their lives while protecting and serving the public. Myrl Taylor passed away in August, leaving behind a legacy of charity and tireless dedication to the St. Louis area’s amateur boxing program.
After the performances of several songs, including a powerful rendition of our National Anthem by football Hall-Of-Fame member Jackie Smith, the arena shook with pops and flashes as fireworks exploded from the rafters.
The ring’s rich blue canvas was the centerpiece of the Savvis floor and was set directly beneath the arena’s massive scoreboard. Clusters of rotating ceiling lights swept the crowd and several cameramen patrolled the perimeter of the ring area, capturing the action for a future television broadcast.
Prior to each bout, the fighters made their way through the tunnels, crossing over from the relative solitude of their dressing rooms into a barrage of flashing lights and applause. Their movements were tracked by cameras and projected on the scoreboard’s jumbo screens.
Most of the fighters I interviewed prior to the show were participating for the same reasons: to benefit the cause and attain a personal goal. Most were first timers and hadn’t boxed prior to training for the event. Boxing trainers will tell you how hard it is for a new fighter to maintain poise the first time out. There are countless boxers who look like world-beaters in the gym but freeze up in competition. You can imagine the pressure involved in making your debut in front of more than 17,000 people.
The event organizers are well aware of this, so fighters are matched as closely as possible in age, weight, and experience. All wear the proper headgear and safety equipment. But the most notable rules difference between this event and an amateur tournament is the abbreviated 90- second time limit of the rounds.
The short rounds combined with the adrenaline rush to produce intense action. The bouts were short on technique but long on excitement. Almost all of the bouts followed the same script, with both parties setting up shop in front of each other and trading one, two’s and hooks that were meant to end the fight early.
When the dust settled and the numbers were crunched, 17,603 people saw the Police team win 12 of the 18 bouts. But all of the fighters gained the respect of their peers, and on this evening, money was raised to assist some of the everyday champions who protect us all.
