They meet in the courtroom, now they’ll meet in the ring

Alex Bederka and Richard Irvin have faced each other many times in Kane County courtrooms.

Bederka is a Kane County assistant state’s attorney; Irvin is a defense lawyer.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the two Aurora natives will square off in a different venue: the boxing ring.

Their bout will help raise money for the Aurora chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association’s scholarship fund.

All the other fights are between law enforcement officers; this is the only one pitting courtroom rivals against each other.

“It will be fun,” Bederka said. “He’s just a genuinely nice guy. I’m excited even though he’s going to beat me up. I’ve never boxed. I don’t work out. But I’ve never been scared in the courtroom. I’m undefeated against Richard (in court). This will be his revenge.”

Irvin’s not taking any chances. Since September, he’s been training one day a week at an Aurora gym with Jesse “The Law” Torres, a former professional boxer and retired Aurora police officer.

“It’s the talk of the courthouse,” Irvin said. “Some lawyers want to take my place. Some prosecutors want to take Alex’s place. It’s generated a lot of interest.”

Both Irvin and Bederka said they were approached by Aurora Sgt. Alfredo Dean over the summer to lace up the gloves. Dean figured the two Aurora East High School grads, who are friends outside the courtroom, would make a good match.

Irvin plans to have a full corner crew. He has an entrance song but is keeping it under wraps until the big day.

“I plan to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee and at the end, I plan to be the last man standing,” said Irvin, who jokingly called himself “Sugar Richard Irvin.”

Bederka quipped that’s more like “Little Richard Irvin.” Bederka said he’s got the reach and Irvin has, well, everything else.

Bederka said he’s been too busy preparing for upcoming trials to think of an entrance song, much less pick out some shiny boxing shorts or a robe.

“I said no punches to the face or the nose. That’s how I make my money in front of a jury,” he said. “I’m glad they’re only three, one-minute rounds. I don’t think I could take much longer.”