FDNY Firefighters Shine at Battle of the Badges Boxing Event

New York, NY – FDNY firefighters showcased their boxing prowess Friday night at the Second International Battle of the Badges held at Madison Square Garden, defeating opponents from Georgia, Ireland, London, and Yonkers. The FDNY boxing team secured a commendable record of 6-3 in the three-round bouts, much to the delight of an enthusiastic audience.

Highlighting the night was John Marrero from FDNY Station 3, who faced off against Brandon Collins of the DeKalb County Police Department. Marrero, a 26-year-old EMT, delivered a commanding performance, winning by unanimous decision in a match filled with heavy exchanges. “I’m still taking it in. It is amazing. I still can’t believe it,” Marrero said before stepping into the ring. “The crowd is amazing. I love the crowd. It feels amazing to be able to contribute to the Tunnels to Towers. We’ve been training hard,” he added.

Marrero’s journey to becoming a first responder began after a subway stabbing incident when he was a senior in high school, a traumatic experience that left him with a prominent facial scar. “I remember sitting there the whole time on the chair and then on the ambulance, like, what they do is pretty amazing,” he recounted, reflecting on the care he received.

Other FDNY matches included Tara Iannotti of Ladder 29, who faced Christina McCants from Atlanta PD SWAT. McCants claimed victory in that bout by unanimous decision, but Iannotti remained focused on the larger goal of supporting a noble cause. “At the end of the day, we’re fighting for a great cause,” she told The Post. “I wish it would have ended a little bit differently, but I tried really hard. I put it all out there.”

In a dramatic turn, firefighter John Hamilton from Ladder 43 knocked out Jack Oakes from England’s West Yorkshire Fire Department, earning roaring cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile, Ladder 24’s James Gennari faced Dan Hoolahan from the Garda Police, but came up short in a tightly contested split decision. Notably, Nicole Malpeso from Engine 158 achieved a unanimous victory against UK Fire and Rescue’s Alex Turbitt, further solidifying the FDNY’s impressive night.

The evening’s events were part of a larger fundraising initiative for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting families of fallen first responders. The foundation honors the legacy of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who heroically rushed to the 9/11 attacks.

The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric, with numerous first responders in attendance to support their colleagues in the ring. The event also marked a significant presence of female fighters, with a record six women participating in the bouts. Among them, firefighter Nicole Malpeso expressed pride in being part of a new wave of female athletes in the sport, emphasizing their determination to bridge the gender gap in boxing. “We spar hard rounds, we beat the s–t out of each other,” said Malpeso, reflecting on her rigorous training.

Moving forward, the FDNY boxing team will continue to challenge fighters from other cities and countries, uniting under a common goal of standing together for their communities and honoring their fallen heroes.