22 first aiders ready for St. Louis’ annual Guns ‘N Hoses

On November 28, 2024By Littum

ST. LOUIS – Who wants it more: the red or the blue? Twenty-two police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have been selected to participate in the Budweiser Guns ‘N Hoses gathered at Helen Fitzgerald’s Monday night ahead of the traditional Thanksgiving Eve fundraiser.

Guns ‘N Hoses Vice President Jese Finney told FOX 2, “This night is about giving back, and they want to compete, but don’t do anything about it. When the bell rings, they want to win the match; they’re going to get after it. Nobody wants to be the loser on Thanksgiving Day and hear from their family.”

On Monday night, the Boxing Association officially set the fight card for the upcoming 37th annual event.

Angelia Frantz fights in Bout 630 and represents the Belleville Police Department.

“I tried in 2020 and I wasn’t able to make the cut, so this year I’m bringing it all and I’m hoping for the best,” she said.

Thank you for your registration!

Keep an eye out for us in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Each fighter was introduced to his or her opponent on stage. Many have spent months training for the opportunity to make the main event fight card.

“The St. Louis Police Department has been my home training center; I’ve been working with them for the last few months. I went into it because I really wanted to. I signed up and put a lot of effort into it and I had high hopes that it will be a fantastic match,” Frantz said.

The boxing and MMA event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Enterprise Center, with all proceeds benefiting Backstoppers, which currently supports 95 families and 75 children of soldiers lost in the line of duty around St. Louis.

“People come together and there is a lot of camaraderie between everyone and we are focused on our goals; it’s Wednesday night, Guns ‘N Hoses,” said Chief Ron Battelle, who is wrapping up his final year as CEO of The Backstoppers, Inc.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, go directly to ticketmaster.com; there are less than one percent of tickets left and less than 48 hours until the big night.

FOX 2 will air a portion of the game Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9 p.m

Go to FOX 2 for the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video.