BUSINESSMEN and women are set to swap their white collars for red gloves in a charity boxing event supported by former world bantamweight champion Stuart Hall.
Mr Hall has pledged to train potential pugilists for a corporate boxing showdown at the Dolphin Centre in his Darlington hometown on July 16.
The event – called Taking Care of Business – promises to raise thousands of pounds for good causes throughout the North-East.
Corporate boxing, in which men and women with no prior experience train to fight at special events, has become hugely popular in recent years, with amateur boxers raising millions for charity.
Everyone who signs up for the Darlington event will receive six-weeks of intensive training overseen by the former world champion.
Mr Hall had the idea for a fighting fundraiser along with former soldier and fitness trainer Johnny Harrison and Darlington businessman Patrick Masheder.
The trio work for Corporate Personal Fitness (CPF), a provider of bespoke fitness training, and hope this will be the first of many similar sporting events run by the company.
Mr Harrison said: “Corporate boxing, or white collar boxing as it is sometimes called, is a great way to improve your fitness by learning how to box.
“Although there have been other corporate boxing events in the North-East, the region has seen nothing like this.
“How many amateur boxers can say they have been trained by a former world champion?
“With Stuart’s help our contestants will be the very best they can be. It’s going to be an exciting night.”
Mr Masheder said he hoped local businesses would support the competition by fielding a contender and supporting them on the night.
Every contender has to raise money for charity and there will also be fundraising events on the night and a proportion of ticket sale proceeds will go towards good causes.
Mr Hall said: “It’s going to be great hosting a boxing event in my hometown.
“I’m really looking forward to training the contenders and matching them up so the audience can enjoy watching a closely-fought contest.
“And regardless of whoever is victorious on the night, the biggest winner will be charity.”
Tickets cost £25 from the Dolphin Centre, Darlington and if you want to compete visit corporatepersonalfitness.co.uk/events
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