Did you fight a grudge match tonight? I fought a guy from DSNY— Sanitation. Tafari Smith. I don’t really have beef with anybody, so I’ll just ask Dave to get me a fight for the event. But people who have grudges will contact Dave, and he loves that, because it means more people come out.
How long have you been boxing? For eight years, a lot longer than I’ve been a cop. The funny thing is these smokers have always been charity events that fund boxing gyms for kids, and I got into boxing the same way. I was getting into trouble when I was in high school, and the cops in Suffolk County taught me how to box, how to carry myself, and how to be disciplined.
Where’d you get your shorts? A website that makes custom boxing gear, trunks and robes and stuff. I got them to honor where my lady is from, Jamaica. I have her late mom’s name, Marlene, stitched on the bottom left.
How did tonight go? I actually got the win. I was against someone from JFK Customs. I knocked the guy down in the first round in less than 15 seconds. Caught him with the overhand right. He dropped, got the eight counts, the first round ended. Second and third rounds, I just didn’t want to hurt him.
DEANNA BUNCH
Deputy sheriff, Flatbush
What’s your role here? I’m a ring announcer. It’s challenging to carry your voice over the crowd. You have to talk in a deeper voice, from your stomach. The first night I heard myself over the loudspeaker I was trying not to laugh—I was like, That doesn’t sound like me.
CARA CASTRONUOVA
Journalist and TV host, Elmont
How long have you been coming? My first one was in 2010 at a school in the Bronx. I’m thinking, It’s a small venue, not gonna be a lot of
people. I walk out of the locker room, and there’s, like, 1,500 people in the crowd and a DJ and guys rooting for their guy loud.
I had butterflies in my stomach.
BRIAN GRANT
Retired correction officer, Brownsville
YAEL PADILLA
Police officer, Washington Heights
RANDEL BUENO
Police officer, Norwood
EDDY PEREZ
Police officer, Woodrow
GARY NIEVES
Boxing trainer, St. George
CHRISTIAN HERNANDEZ
Customs officer, Richmond Hill
TAFARI SMITH
DSNY mechanic, East Tremont
Ever fought a superior? No. There’s one guy at my company who I do want to fight, but he’ll never be man enough. He did something to me, and anyone who reads this who works with us will know what and who I’m referring to. I’m not trying to start trouble, but they’ll know.
CHRIS MARCELLO
National Grid gas mechanic, Bulls Head
Which team are you on? Me and my buddy started the Sanitation team three years ago. We’d been boxing, and one day I was just like, “I bet I could beat up some cops and firemen.” I think I’ve made the events more entertaining, like a WWEwrestling kind of thing. Before one fight, I yelled, “It’s
DSNY!” and threw a garbage can.
THOMAS SCOZA
Sanitation worker, Sunset Park
Michael Corleone? The funny thing is, in the 1990s, people knew they’d heard the name but didn’t remember where. They assumed I was an up-and-coming pro fighter. They’re like, “Yeah, I heard about you.” I knew they hadn’t; they’d just seen the movie.
MICHAEL CORLEONE
Boxing-gym owner, Franklin Square
Do you always dress up? Only for the smokers or big amateur shows like Madison Square Garden. By now, pretty much all my cops and my fans expect us to get spiffy. I usually wear loud colors. It was actually pretty subtle for me to wear black tonight.
DAVE SIEV
Retired police lieutenant, Valley Stream
HECTOR LOPEZ
Police officer, Selden
ALI SORRENTINO
Ring girl, Westerleigh
JASON MARTIN
Boxing trainer, Springfield Gardens
EDDIE DELGADO
School safety officer, East New York
TAMMY BROWN
Boxing coach, Shirley