They are the brave and toughest of New York.
FDNY firefighters went to the enemy from the fire in a boxing ring on Friday night, during the badge of the second international badge at the theater at Madison Square Garden.
Members of the FDNY boxing team, including three EMT, defended the grass at home in front of a lively crowd in matches against opponents from Georgia, Ireland, London and Yonkers.
The New York Heroes went well in the evening, finishing record 6-3 in a three-round battle with John Marrero's outstanding performance.
Marello of FDNY Station 3 faced Brandon Collins of the DeKalb County Police Department in a highly anticipated battle that was crucially won by the 26-year-old EMT.
Marello dominated the match, taking massive blows throughout, and exploring victory with unanimous decisions.
He was thrilled with the surreal experience of boxing at Madison Square Garden. .
“I'm still taking it in. That's amazing. I still can't believe it,” Marello told the post before taking the ring.
“The crowds are amazing. I love the crowds. It's amazing to be able to contribute to the tunnels in the tower. We've been training hard,” he said.
Marello called for him to be the first responder after being stabbed on the subway as a high school senior in an unprovoked attack.
The stab wound left visible scars on his face, and he made him look mean in the ring that made him joking.
After the attack, EMS and police officers came to Marello's aid.
“They placed pressure dressing on my face to control the bleeding. They took me to the ambulance and continued to give me care,” he told the Post.
“I remember sitting in a chair the whole time and sitting on the ambulance.
Eight other members of FDNY played games at the world's most famous arena on Friday.
Tara Ianotti of Ladder 29 fought Christina McCants of Atlanta PD Swat – the McCants won the match by unanimous decision.
“At the end, we're fighting for a big cause,” Tara told the Post. “I wish it had a slightly different ending, but I tried so hard. I put it all there.”
Iannotti was part of a record number of female boxers at this year's event. Nicole Malpeso and steam fitter Maria Fogerty also recorded the knuckles.
Ladder 43 firefighter John Hamilton faced Jack Oaks from the West Yorkshire Fire Department in England. Hamilton landed Haymaker in the second round and won the loud cheers from the crowd with a knockout.
James Gennali, full of smoke from ladder 24, faced Ireland's Dan Hoolahan from Garda police, and the Irishman won the split decision.
Engine 158 firefighter Nicole Malpeso won with a unanimous decision against British fire and rescue Alex Tarbitt.
FDNY EMT McGrath faced Garda PD's Jack Mchugh, and his hometown fighter jet won by a split decision.
Engine 283 Firefighter Shawn Dillon took on Eoin O'Neill from Garda PD.
Patrick McKeown of FDNY EMT Station 18 fought Berto Rivera of the Yonkers Fire Station.
Div's FDNY captain Mike Fiore. 11 He faced off against Jason Martin, who represented the New York Department of Health. Fiore won by a unanimous decision.
All revenue from the event was directed to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Towers Foundation celebrates the heroic acts of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller. Stephen Schiller runs through the battery tunnel to respond to the 9/11 attack, and dies saving others as the Towers collapses.
Tunnel to Towers provides a mortgage-free home for families of Goldstars and fallen first responders with young children.
