Stories From Main Street: FDNY Boxing Team To Take On London Metro Police In Charity Fight
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- When they're not fighting fires, these guys just fight.
Bobby McGuire, president of the FDNY boxing team, is a seasoned amateur boxer and is now passing on his pugilistic know-how to the next generation of firefighter fighters.
"The first basic rule is keep your head down and your hands up," said McGuire, who runs practice at an East Village gym. "You can't just walk around. You gotta kind of slide and glide."
When they step in the ring, they raise money for homes for heroes.
"They are doing it for the charity," McGuire said. "They get nothing in return for this other than to see a new home built for one of these veterans how gave their limbs basically for our country."
On July 8, FDNY's Bravest Boxing team will enter the boxing ring at Rockaway Beach and take on London's Metro Police Department to raise money to build homes for wounded veterans. For tickets, visit www.fdnyboxing.com.
"It's going to be a beautiful show out doors and under the stars," McGuire said.
A weigh-in ceremony is being held Monday, June 27 at 1 p.m. at Bungalow Bar in Far Rockaway.
Josiah Rivera of Engine 82 is an up and coming contender.
"We get to have fun boxing but the fact that the money goes to building homes for heroes and for good causes is the best part. Helping people out," Rivera said.
"It was a good cause and boxing for the department is awesome. The camaraderie amongst the brothers is awesome, you can't beat it," said Shepard Davis of Engine 301.
Unlike professional boxing, there's no trash talk and no bragging.
"You got to be humble and you got to have respect for your opponent and also the team. We all have respect for each other," Rivera said. "We all help each other out."
"There's no ego, but there's certain a lot of pride in our job and a lot of pride in our department," McGuire said.