PHOENIX (AP) -- A Phoenix police officer is on life support after collapsing following a charity boxing match at a Phoenix-area casino.

Officer Barry Scott, 22, lost consciousness after boxing a firefighter during a charity bout at Fort McDowell Casino last Friday evening.

Scott is in critical condition and fighting for his life, officials said Monday.

Scott joined Phoenix police in 2007 after an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to the Maryvale Precinct in west Phoenix.

Scott was off-duty and participating in one of four weight-class showcases to raise money for the nonprofit 100 Club of Arizona.

The organization raises money to support the families of officers and firefighters killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

A referee stopped Scott's bout against a Chandler firefighter during the event titled Guns & Hoses, which a local promoter billed as an exhibition of the toughest firefighters and police officers.

Sgt. Andy Hill, a Phoenix police spokesman, said Scott is on life support, surrounded by his family and fellow officers who are rallying around Scott's wife and infant child.

Hill said Scott went into distress and passed out after his fight.

Len Hayko of FelKO Promotions, who organized the Guns & Hoses event, did not return calls for comment.

Hayko is an organizer of Bad Boy Boxing amateur competitions at Fort McDowell Casino.

Friday's event was the casino's first event featuring law-enforcement personnel.

The 100 Club of Arizona released a statement Monday in support of the Scott family.

"Officer Scott is a hero," the statement said. "He has defended our country, our city streets and given much to the community. When a young family is faced with tragedy, it is always heartbreaking and gut-wrenching."

Spectators at the event said Scott's fight went a few rounds before the referee checked the fighters and called it.

"The refs were very conscious of what was going on," said Chandler Fire Battalion Chief Dan Couch, who attended the event.

"They all had headgear," Couch said. "They all had gear around their waists. They all had mouthpieces. I didn't see anyone hurt any worse than anyone else."

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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