By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
A new family-friendly event is coming to St. Johns County — Fight Night will test the boxing skills of employees of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office against those of St. Johns County Fire and Rescue. Benefitting from the event will be the soon-to-be-built Diamond of Dreams, a ball field and playground for children with special needs, along with Historic St. Johns PAL (Police Athletic League), an organization that provides all youth an opportunity to play a variety of sports.
Fight Night will be held on Feb. 13 beginning at 6 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office held its first boxing event last year on a smaller scale and as part of another event. It was a huge success. According to Fight Night coordinator SJSO Deputy Krissie Padgett, a stand alone event this year made sense for a few reasons.
“The logistics were difficult to piggy back off another event,” Padgett said. “We also needed to be able to sell more tickets to meet the demand. We were turning people away at the smaller venue last year. Already [in early January] we have sold more tickets than last year.”
The event will consist of 15 bouts; the first three bouts will feature teenagers from the PAL boxing program. The main events will be the 12 bouts pitting first responders from SJSO against those from St. Johns Fire and Rescue.
Padgett said that the fighters have been training for about four months, three times per week, to get ready for the fight.
“It takes a big commitment to do this,” she said. “The fighters have to make sure their cardio and skill levels are up.”
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre will host the event and stadium seating will be available. The ring will be in the pit on the floor, offering great viewing, especially for the seats that will be added to the pit. Padgett said the fighters will walk out on the stage before entering the pit to fight. Two SJSO deputies will act as DJ and The Amp will have food and beverage vendors to add to the festive atmosphere. Fight Night swag, including commemorative patches and shirts, will be available for purchase. The fight is sanctioned by the Combat Sports Athletic Commission, which will also provide some of the judges — in addition to a few current MMA fighters.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick is a big fan of not only the event, but also of the beneficiaries of the proceeds. Citing the success of the Field of Dreams in NW St. Johns County, he said that his wife Kendell Hardwick was inspired also by her work dealing with the special needs population in St. Johns County Schools to provide a similar project in the southern part of the county.
“The Diamond of Dreams will be located on PAL property leased from the Board of County Commissioners off Nease Road,” Sheriff Hardwick said. “It will include a carpeted playing field that is wheelchair accessible as well as a playground. The idea is for the PAL kids and the special needs kids to all be able to play together and learn from each other.”
Sheriff Hardwick said that fundraising for this project is ongoing, including the Fight Night event, but that Kendell Hardwick also successfully made a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners and was granted about $2 million in ARPA funds that were set to expire if not utilized. Phase 1 of site preparation should be underway shortly and the goal is to have children on the field this time next year.
Event promoter SJSO Deputy Padgett and SJCFR Public Information Officer Chris Naff are looking forward to a great event and seeing many community members there.
“It’s important to remember that these are not professional fighters,” Padgett said. “In real life, they fight fires and crimes. They are boxing on the side to represent their agency and raise money for a good cause.”
Naff agreed and said that each bout will be different and exciting, with an actual belt awarded to the winner.
“Plus, the winners will have bragging rights for the next year,” Naff said.
Photos courtesy Taylor Levesque
Fighters from last year’s event with Sheriff Rob Hardwick and Kendell Hardwick.
