By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - The Northern Kentucky Convention Center was transformed into a little Caesar's Palace Sunday evening as Northern Kentucky's finest put on their boxing gloves for a 15-bout card that pitted firefighters against police.

Nearly 1,500 people gathered around a ring rented from Moeller High School to watch 30 men ranging in age from 15 to 41 punch it out. Boxers were paired by weight and fought three, two-minute rounds with full safety gear.

But contestants said the headgear did little to cushion the blow from the 16-ounce gloves each boxer wore.

"I have whole new respect for the sport of boxing," said Covington police officer Chris Ernst after stepping out of the ring.

"The 30-year-old, 230-pound Ernst stepped in the ring for the first time to beat Justin Zinser, a firefighter at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

"I'm not sure I'll box anymore," said Ernst. "It will be nice to retire undefeated. Some time I will have to wake up and realize I'm 30."

Tickets to the first Northern Kentucky Police vs. Fire Charity Boxing Match were $10 each. Proceeds from the event benefit Shriners Burns Institute in Cincinnati, Covington Police Activities League and the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Memorial Fund.

The fund was formed to pay for a statue to be placed next to the Peace Bell in Newport.

Organizers said they would not have the total amount raised until today.

"I was nervous when I stepped out there for the first time," said Covington firefighter Chris Stallings, "but I got over the butterflies to win my first bout. Boxing is the best workout I've ever done and I plan on continuing with the sport."

Although the friendly rivalry guaranteed a strong turnout, contestants said trash talk was kept to a minimum.

"Guys didn't want to mouth off and then make a fool of themselves on the ring," said Covington police officer Brett Tate, the organizer of the event.

The police trained at Shamrock Boxing Gym on Madison Avenue in Covington while the firefighters worked out at Spears Amateur School Inc. on Hamilton Avenue in Mt. Healthy.

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com