Boxers set to raise money for the kids
The gloves will well and truly be on come Saturday night at Stadium Southland.
Fight For Kidz is a fundraising event for children’s charities in Southland, more than $500,000 has been raised since it started in 2003.
Organiser Dave Bartley says there will be 12 bouts over the course of the evening.
‘‘There will be eight male bouts, and four featuring women.
‘‘The main bout will be the fea- ture clash between two members from a couple of old rugby rivals in Star and Marist.
‘‘It’ll be a five round affair with Tangaroa Walker taking on Tama Toomata.’’
Bartley expects that clash to be an absolute slobber knocker.
He’s hoping this will be the start of an ongoing battle between members of Star and Marist rugby clubs, and has even created a shield for the winner to take home.
But as well as there being plenty of action in the ring, there will also be several items to be auctioned off during the evening.
The items include music memorabilia from the likes of Adele, Pink and the Rolling Stones, as well as pieces of boxing history from legends such as Mohammad Ali and Joe Frasier, and current combatants such as Conor McGregor, Floyd Mayweather and All Black legend Richie McCaw.
It’s hoped about $100,000 will be raised during the course of the evening.
Bartley said a day out from the event, they were 160 tickets away from being a sell-out, but he expects walk-ups will take care of those still left to be sold.
For Dave Bartley, one of the most impressive aspects of seeing the event come together has been the transformation’s of the boxers in the blue and red teams.
‘‘There’s not an ounce of fat left on many of the boxers, they have been training the house down.
Doors open for corporate guests at 5.30pm, while those with general admission tickets are expected to arrive at 6.30pm, and the first bout is set for 7.15pm.