by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
This year’s Guns N Hoses almost didn’t happen.
About 10 days before the March 11 charity boxing matches at the Arena between the local police and firemen, the Florida Boxing Commission contacted Fraternal Order of Police president Nelson Cuba and informed him the matches were potentially illegal under state laws.
Cuba says he was told the matches fell under the Commission’s umbrella and, unless the organizers paid a fee, the Commission would step in and prevent the matches.
“I told him I didn’t agree with him because we have a local ordinance that allows the matches,” said Cuba, explaining that he was told the FBC enacted a law in 2004 that prevented unsanctioned amateur matches such as Guns N Hoses. “I told him we had been doing this for eight years and asked him why we hadn’t been contacted before. The train was rolling, it can’t stop now. This was the first time they have ever called.”
With thousands of tickets sold, sponsors on board and charities expecting help, Cuba contacted attorney Tad Delegal, who filed a formal complaint on March 13 against the FBC in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in an effort to make sure the FBC doesn’t try to interfere in the future. The complaint worked.
“We have heard from them since and they said we were right and they were wrong,” said Cuba.”They are going to fix the rule.”
Cuba said the health of the fighters is a top priority. Fighters must pass a physical, there are two doctors ringside and plenty of medical personnel on hand. The worst injury in nine years: a broken nose last year.
“All of our fighters are amateurs. All they are fighting for is bragging rights. All the money goes to charity,” said Cuba, adding that if a fighter has some amateur boxing experience and shows too much ability, they may be prevented from fighting someone with little or no experience.
“We were willing to work with (the FBC), but they wanted money and they even wanted part of the gate.”
This year the police beat the firefighters 9-5 in front of about 7,000 fans. Cuba said the event raised $50,000 for the Police Athletic League and another $30,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fighters sign a waiver and organizers also carry a $5 million insurance policy.
“That’s more than is required by the Boxing Commission,” said Cuba. “We go way beyond what they require.”