The Gloves Come Out For A Good Cause

By Sarah Healey on October 27, 2011 in News

If you haven’t attended a charity event this year, make sure you don’t miss this one. On November 5, Inglis Stables in Randwick will be opening its doors to host a charity boxing challenge, dubbed ‘White Collar Boxing’. There will be an array of local wannabe boxers competing on the night, floating like butterflies and stinging like bees, and they will all be giving up their time and putting their bodies on the line for two extremely worthy causes: Network Kokoda and the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Matt and Owen Gardner, owners of Kick Tactics, along with NSW welterweight champion Peter Morrison (who is also a Kokoda deputy trek leader), are organising this spectacular ringside event. They are aiming to raise over $20,000 to buy life-saving equipment for the kids in the Children’s Hospital. The other half of the money raised will be given to Kids of Kokoda – a foundation established on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea – which gives the children of these communities an opportunity to have an education.

Local ultra-marathon runner Pete Wilson is among the competitors and he’s already a legend in the eyes of staff and patients at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Over the years Pete has raised over $600,000 for the hospital by competing in some of the world’s most gruelling and arduous footraces. When the hospital asked if he wanted to be a part of this momentous event he jumped at the chance.

There’s a good chance that you’re wondering what exactly White Collar Boxing is. White Collar Boxing is designed for people who don’t compete in the sport regularly but just want to give it a go. However, competitors are certainly not going in the ring cold turkey.

“They’ve been training for over ten weeks now and when they get in there they’ll be evenly matched – same weight, same skill and experience level,” explained Matt.

On the night there will be a couple of bouts where ‘experienced’ boxers who have had ongoing training will display their finesse in the ring, but the rest will be classed as ‘White Collar Bouts’. Adding an extra air of suspense to the match-ups, none of the boxers will know who they will be competing against until the night in question.

Another local ‘champion boxer in-the-making’ that will be attempting to show his mettle in the ring is Randwick lifeguard Pat Falzon. Pat has been hitting the gym hard, sparring at least three times a week and sneaking in some extra cardio sessions to make sure he’ll be match-fit. Like all the other competitors, he’s taking it pretty seriously.

“They don’t want you to embarrass yourself,” Pat laughed. “All I know is that my hairline’s already been punched back about five years!”

Ticket holders can look forward to winning some impressive prizes with raffle items including signed Origin jerseys, guitars and sporting memorabilia that have been generously donated. There are also car stereos and boxing equipment to be raffled, along with bigger items for auction at the end of the night. If you’re lucky enough to nab a VIP ticket you’ll be rubbing shoulders with NSW Origin legends and scoring ringside seats, which include a 3-course meal and beverage package. It is definitely a night not to be missed!

Tickets are $40 presale and $45 on the door. Doors open 5pm with the first bout starting at 6pm. For more information or to grab a ticket, contact Pete on 0408 145 029, Matt on 0419 602 044 or email info@kicktactics.com.au.