Wichita cop-firefighter boxing tourney moving to bigger venue

The past two years, the Guns ‘n Hoses Wichita tournament has sold out at the Beech Activity Center, Wichita Crime Commission executive director Gordon Bassham said in a statement Friday. This coming year, the charity fundraising event will be held May 2 at Hartman Arena.Next year’s event will be the third year the tournament has been held. The first year, it drew 950 people, and when it attracted 1,250 people this year, some people had to be turned away because of space limitations at the Activity Center, Bassham said Saturday.

The tournament raises money for charities picked by law enforcement officers and firefighters, and it also goes for area youth boxing programs.

Sixty percent of the event proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit groups and boxing programs, Bassham said. The rest of the money goes for expenses.

“For more than six decades, the Crime Commission has worked hard to help prevent crime in our community,” Bassham said in the news release. “Growing youth boxing programs in the area is in line with our mission of preventing crime through the development of youth programs such as LAW Camp, Youth Court and Make Good Choices.”

Tournament tickets can be bought at the Hartman Arena box office, or online at www.GunsHosesWichita.org  beginning next month. Prices are $27.50 for general admission and $52.50 for reserved floor seats. Floor tables with seating can also be purchased through the Crime Commission offices by calling 316-267-1235.