Police are kin, and their sense of brotherhood crosses state lines. And there's nothing like a little sibling rivalry, right? In one of the first major events at the new 4,000-seat 610 Arena, the Houston Police Department boxing team will square off in ten fights against cops from the Big Apple. Police of all shapes and sizes, including superheavyweights, will compete. And two female cops, amateur HPD fighter Iris Ipich and the NYPD's Jean Martin, a four-time Golden Glove winner, will go head-to-head. HPD boxers have faced off against other departments in the past, but their rivalry with the NYPD runs deep. "Every time we box New York, it's a challenge," says Ray Zaragosa, coach of the HPD team. But the rivalry ends with the final bell. "We're brothers, and they're a great bunch of guys. They're not too funny in the ring, but they're funny out of the ring." In this election year, expect some mayoral candidates in the crowd, along with an estimated 2,000 Houston police. (Update your car inspection and check your warrants before you go.) Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, May 30. 610 Arena, 5515 1/2 South Loop East. For information, call 713-734-SHOW. $15. The event benefits injured and disabled officers. -- Eric Norvell
SAT 5/31
Hoop Dreams
The Hoopla 3 on 3 StreetBall Tournament in Galveston isn't just for people who
can dunk. Male and female players, ages eight and up, will compete in whichever
category fits: youth, old-timer, recreation, competitive or top gun. You won't
get bored watching the 30-minute, 20-point-to-win games. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday,
May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Wal-Mart parking lot, 6702 Seawall Boulevard. For
information, call 505-833-0734 or visit www.allstarsportspro.com.
-- Cathy Matusow
SUN 6/1
Dogged Determination
A canine tractor pull, of sorts
Fletcher Limon likes his dogs strong, but not so they can fight each
other. He organizes events in which dogs compete by pulling weighted carts.
Apparently already a national phenomenon, Fletcher has sworn to put Region 8
(which includes Texas) on the map. The First Annual Extreme Weight Pulling Event
will feature a car show, food, drink, live music and dogs (from Chihuahuas to
pit bulls to mastiffs) pulling carts weighted with 1,000 to more than 5,000
pounds of cinder blocks. The fastest dog to pull a cart 16 feet wins. 10 a.m.
to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1. The Rotary Pavilion, 14350 Wallisville Road. For information,
call 713-330-1743. $25 entry fee per dog (two-dog maximum). -- Eric Norvell
SAT 5/30
Holy Schlitt!
Bodyboarders accept the championship challenge
Between skateboarding and surfing lies the bodyboard, and on South Padre
Island lies the Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. At this weekend's Flow Rider
World Bodyboarding Championships, professional bodyboarders will compete riding
on the park's man-made wave (known as the Boogie Bahn2). And what a wave it
is: 120,000 gallons of water per minute rushing up a padded incline to create
a "barrel" wave twice the size regular waterpark visitors see. Tubular. More
than 25 of the best bodyboarders in the country will compete at this invitation-only
event. Semifinals: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 30. Finals: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 31. 90 Park Road Highway 100. For information, call 956-772-7873
or visit www.schlitterbahn.com.
Free. -- Eric Norvell
