An upper-cut while training for the Budweiser Guns 'n' Hoses two years ago gave Dan Wunder, an O'Fallon Police officer, a broken rib before he even entered the competition.
After that, he decided to give up boxing.
But this year, after introducing a Caseyville Police officer to the competition, Wunder changed his mind. He simply couldn't resist competing himself.
"I'm a sucker for any kind of benefit," said Wunder, 34. "I just want to go in there and give a good show."
Guns 'n' Hoses -- which puts firefighters against police officers in 19 boxing matches -- has been a fund-raiser for the past 16 years. Proceeds go to St. Louis Backstoppers, a group that financially assists St. Louis area and metro-east families of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty. It's raised a total of about $1.25 million for families.
The 38 boxers are matched by age, weight and experience. The matches feature three 90-second rounds. The boxers represent 23 police and fire departments and law enforcement offices in Missouri and Illinois. Last year, firefighters won the event by winning a total of 11 matches. Police officers won 7 matches. More than 17,000 people attended the competition.
But this year, Wunder said police officers are taking the competition more seriously and firefighters have a "poor" chance of winning.
As for Wunder, his chances of winning are good, he said. Wunder is competing against Calvin Stewart, a firefighter from the St. Louis Fire Department. Wunder has been researching Stewart's boxing skills.
"I have a good chance because of my stamina," Wunder said.
Wunder has been a police officer for 11 years. Today, Wunder is a senior officer and a police dog handler. Danny, his German shepherd police dog, has been his partner for six years.
Wunder started training for the competition in August. It's mandatory to train three days a week for Guns 'n' Hoses. A different coach trains the police officers and the firefighters.
After Wunder broke his rib, his wife, Elizabeth Wunder, 35, was hesitant to let him box again.
"I'm glad it's coming to an end," she said. "It's really nerve-racking to think about." Even though she's reluctant to see her husband fight, she'll still be rooting for him in the stands.
