Trash-talking ministers Evan Saunders and Steve Rauch to box Sunday in Altarcation
LANCASTER − The Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight is not the only big bout on the horizon. Local pastors Steve Rauch and Evan Saunders will step into the boxing ring 2 p.m. Sunday at the AAA building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds for charity.
They will fight for three 1-minute rounds.
Admission is $5. Ringside tables for six are also available for $200. A table seat includes a T-shirt for the event dubbed the "Altarcation."
Rauch is the city fire department chaplain and Saunders is the city police department chaplain. Saunders is also the pastor of Allen Chapel and Rauch is a pastor at X Church in Canal Winchester.
The two are fighting to benefit the Chase Haley Project and the Beckham Ellis Foundation. The former is a suicide prevention foundation and the latter helps families in need.
Police Athletic League program coordinator and boxing coach Jamey Mathias came up with the idea of the fight. PAL boxers will fight before the Saunders-Rauch main event.
"We're going to put down the bibles Sunday morning and pick up the boxing gloves Sunday afternoon," Rauch said.
As with most boxers, Saunders and Rauch were not short on trash-talking.
"He may be talking to the Lord a little sooner than he thinks," Saunders said.
Rauch pointed out the fight will be on Cinco de Mayo.
"So I'm going to sinko his shipo," he said. "That's my plan anyway."
Saunders is a former amateur boxer. Rauch has fought once and said it was one of the dumbest things he's ever done. Saunders plans on making this an even dumber decision.
"He's insulted me several times so he's got something coming to him," Saunders said. "He made fun of my intelligence. He thinks we're going to get in there and have some type of philosophical conversation. But I don't have to be too smart to knock him out."
While the two enjoyed some good-natured trash-talking, they know they are fighting for a good cause.
"It's going to be a good time," Saunders said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how many people are going to come out and support the charities, to support us and support the Police Athletic League."
Rauch said after the fight he Saunders will no doubt hug each other in sportsmanship.
"We're not here for a long time, but we're here for a good time," Rauch said. "So we're going to our best to have a good time. But we also want to put on a good show for the fans. People are coming for the show, so we should give them the show."
jbarron@gannett.com
740-681-4340
Twitter/X: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Evan Saunders and Steve Rauch to box for charity on Sunday
