White collar boxing is a knockout

White collar boxing for charity

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Over a thousand people packed into the Soccer Village in Milnrow on Saturday night (11 June) for an action packed white collar boxing event, in aid of charity.

Men and women from across the borough and neighbouring towns took to the boxing ring in a bid to raise much needed funds for Springhill Hospice.

Fifteen fights took place, in a room that had been transformed into a boxing venue, complete with ring-side seats for friends and family.

The crowd cheered for their favourites and the exciting atmosphere certainly spurred on the competitors - who wear suits by day and chose to fight by night.

In the interval guests took part in a charity auction which included a variety of sports memorabilia, each worth hundreds of pounds.

The charity event was organised by friends Crain Fisher, Paul Wallis and Shaun Clancy. The men hoped to raise between £8,000 and £10,000 for the hospice.

The gents have hosted events like this in the past, but never in Rochdale. Mr Clancy said: “We wanted to try a big venue in our home town. It has been a fantastic night.”

If the event exceeds the target fundraising amount Mr Clancy hopes to donate some to other local charities, such as the Moorland Children’s home.

Mr Clancy also hopes to put some money towards a gym which the friends have set up in the Soccer Village.

The gents have started kitting out Wildhouse Gym for Boxing and Fitness, so far they have put a ring in it and got bags and gloves and they hope to be able to have enough to open a full gym.

They have also bought a full kit for a local rugby team and are hoping to buy a full kit for the under 14s girls’ rugby team at Hollingworth High School.

The participants all took part in three months training before stepping up for the fight.

Mr Fisher, described the fundraiser as “brilliant.”

One winner, Peter Cashera said: “I took part last year and I was drawn by the excitement of the crowd to take part again. I lost last year, so to win this year has made it special.

“A close friend’s mother is dying of cancer and is likely to end up in Springhill Hospice so I think it is the perfect cause.

“Plus, I have always loved boxing, I have never lost the passion for it and when this opportunity came up, I thought why not?

“I have really enjoyed it, I absolutely loved it.”

He added: “The hardest thing is getting in the ring. Last year there were about 700 people, this year I think there is nearly 2,000, so it is quite a lot bigger.

“You can’t beat the atmosphere, I think people are really enjoying it.”

David Evans, who also won his fight, said: “I am really pleased.

“My friend did it last year, and I thought I can do that.

“I have trained solid and it has been hard I have had to make sacrifices.

“Apart from the births of my two children this is the best thing ever.”

The evening also saw two women take to the ring for a fight. Winner, Kelsie Warburton, said: “I feel fantastic, I feel on top of the world.”

Speaking before the first fight, Springhill Hospice Fundraising Manager, Ian Jenkins, said: “It looks like a really good turn out and I am delighted that the lads have put this on, it looks like a very successful evening for the hospice.

“I am looking forward to it being a knock out.”

The names of those who took part in each fight are listed below.

The winners are highlighted.

• Pete ‘Crazy’ Cashera  V Sam ‘The Hatchet’ Hussain
• Paddy ‘Angry’ Altimas V Ben ‘Boom Boom’ Limb
• Wes ‘Wildman’ Thompson V Abdul ‘The Bear’ Rehmanpatel
• Ian ‘The Diamond’ Denton V David ‘The Dragon’ Evans
• John ‘Hardman’ Harrison V Roy Inman
• Simon ‘The Latin Snake’ Coyle V Dom ‘Dynamite’ Brady
• Luke ‘Cool Hands’ Fleming V James ‘The Guvnor’ Gwynne - Draw
• Carl ‘The Gladiator’ Clancy V Luke ‘Iron Fist’ Havryliv
• Stiggy ‘Wildman’ Walsh V Richard ‘Right hand’ Elm
• Dean Burrows V Rick Limb
• Abdul ‘The Assassin’ V Ryan ‘Right hand’ Williams
• Drew ‘Deadly’ Jones V John ‘The Machine’ Manyon
• Stu ‘The Slugger’ Shepard V Darren ‘Dangerous’ Murphy
• Charlotte ‘The Mauller’ Mollineaux V Kelsie ‘The Warbinator’ Warburton
• Darren ‘Dazzling’ Clancy V Liam ‘Rochdale Thunderbolt’ Mangam