Contenders for Transguard’s White Collar Fight Night 10 are already half-way through a gruelling 8-week training programme that will culminate in an unlikely mix of determined corporate professionals facing-off against one another in the ring as they swap their two-piece suits for towelling robes.
Aspiring pugilists – which this year include Tim Baker a managing director, Mark Bough, a key account manager and Michael Tokich, a site manager, will be put through the White Collar Fight Night training regime, under the austere supervision of professional boxing coach Zack Taumafai, at the KO gym in Dubai Marina.
Even before climbing into the ring for their first sparring session, the contenders are reminded in no uncertain terms of their commitment to a rigorous regime of early morning gym sessions, physical and technical training as well as a high-protein, low-calorie diet.
Other white collar boxing hopefuls that highlight the diverse background of the contestants include David Craig a DJ, Elliott MacNay a sales manager and Nathan Mullane a recruitment consultant.
Now running for the tenth time, the event takes place at the Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai, on Friday 7th June 2013. On the night, the fighters will go head-to-head in front of a 700-strong crowd in bouts of three, two-minute rounds. For the audience at least, besides the boxing spectacle, the ‘Fight Night’ experience comes complete with a black tie dinner and a full entertainment programme, which includes a DJ and some dubious ‘ring’ dancing to finish the evening off in style.
Mark Povey, organiser of White Collar Fight Night on behalf of Transguard Events, said: “The event has become a firm fixture on Dubai’s social calendar, providing a chance for the ‘suits’ to show their corporate mettle. My advice to any of the contestants would be, get fighting fit, remember the technical training, remain disciplined, but be prepared to mix-it-up if you have to.”
The corporate contenders will be divided into two teams – red and blue – who will battle to go the distance in a show-card that constitutes eight fights, including an all-woman bout and a bout between two Dubai teachers.
White Collar Boxing originated at Gleasons Gym New York in 1988. The first contest was held between Dr Richard Novak, an attorney and veterinarian, and Dr David Lawrence who held a PhD in English literature. After the contest the two gentlemen went to dinner to celebrate the birth of a new sport.