Guns N' Hoses charity boxing event to benefit families of fallen firefighters and law enforcement officers is happening Friday(Photo: Provided/Cincinnati Police Department)

The gloves are back on after a tense few days between JACK Cincinnati Casino and the organizers of a boxing fundraiser for first responders.

After organizers claimed they were "sucker punched" when JACK Cincinnati Casino pulled out of hosting the event, casino officials made $50,000 in donations and explained their decision.

Gun N' Hoses, now in its third year, announced Thursday it was seeking a new venue after event organizers say the casino backed out of hosting the event 16 days before it was slated to take place.

The Gun N' Hoses event has now been delayed until a new venue can be secured, according to a Thursday announcement on the organization's website.

For the past two years, the Horseshoe Casino has hosted the event, which raises funds for the widows and children of first responders killed in line of duty, for the past two years.

Organizers said that when Jack Entertainment purchased Horseshoe Casino in June, they met with the new ownership and confirmed an Oct. 8 date. They said JACK Cincinnati Casino went so far as approve the casino's logo on flyer.

The website states that casino informed the non-profit organization Thursday it was pulling out of the event.

"We have an increased sponsor base, we have a full fight card and matchups, equipment has been purchased, boxers have been trained, the ring has been rented, the flyers, calendars and programs are going to print," the Guns N' Hoses Southwest Ohio board of directors said in the announcement. "We are ready, but we've been sucker punched."

Despite the strongly worded message on the event's website, organizer Jim Knapp took to Facebook Saturday to thank the casino general manager, Chad Barnhill, "for his personal commitment to help our organization secure a venue for our event."

On Sunday, casino officials posted a statement on social media. They stated that casino had no choice but to cancel the event because the promoter did not have adequate insurance.

"We tried to help the promoter secure supplemental insurance coverage to protect the event participants, but despite a national search we were unable to find a suitable policy," the statement said.

JACK Cincinnati Casino officials said that lieu of hosting the event, it would donate $25,000 to The Shield Ohio and another $25,000 to the Cincinnati Fire Foundation.

On Facebook, Knapp told supporters of Gun N' Hoses event to "stay tuned" for the announcement of a new date for the event.

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