Fight for Life: LA deputies and officers box for City of Hope hospital

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are about to duke it out for a good cause.

The "Fight for Life" charity match is much more about raising money for cancer patients than who is the better boxer.

"People who work and back each other up on the street come together one night a year to be able to go at it against each other for the best of all causes, to raise money for the City of Hope," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

At the podium on Thursday, Sheriff McDonnell and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck stood united as the departments "weighed-in."

But behind the smiles you could detect a bit of a healthy rivalry.

"There really is not as much difference as the uniform would indicate. You know the shirts don't match the pants, but other than that, other than that they're very, very similar," Beck jokingly said.

Following the announcement, the officers hung up their gloves and toured the City of Hope's Pediatric Cancer Ward where they met the very patients they're fighting for.

"I just want to be able to assist them with staying in the fight," Los Angeles County Deputy Andrew Hernandez said.

After meeting 1-year-old patient Evelyn Baylon, Los Angeles Police Officer Deirdre Fonseca said that's all the motivation she needs to put on her boxing gloves.

"Well it gives us strength, you know they're the real fighters, you know they're fighting for their lives and we're just raising money for them in the ring," Fonseca said.

The Fight for Life has been raising money for cancer research since 1994, and so far it's raised more than $1 million.

But most importantly, it's raised awareness.

"To be able to come together and make a difference is truly amazing," Beck said.

All the contenders are competitive as they've trained for months.

But in the end, Hernandez said everyone wins.

"We need to constantly stay in the fight out on patrol and in the field. We need to always stay in the fight to help the people we protect in the community," Hernandez said.

The Fight for Life is taking place at Quiet Cannon, located at 901 Via San Clemente in Montebello on Friday.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the boxing matches will begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the Fight for Life website here.