Corporate boxing challenge touted

It's the type of event where people get to watch novice celebrities and well-known businessmen beat each other to a pulp - and now Tauranga has its own.

A black-tie, corporate, charity boxing challenge has been announced to be held at Tect Arena at Baypark in December to raise money for Waipuna Hospice.

Named the Lord of the Ring, organisers have already labelled the challenge as the "event of the year".

Organiser Andy Martin said the appeal of having novice boxers taking part was it put competitors on an even level.

Mr Martin had been to a successful corporate boxing challenge in Whakatane last year and knows of another one in Taupo that sold out of its 2000 tickets.

He anticipated a Tauranga event would be just as popular.

"The big thing for us is first and foremost this is a night of entertainment, and because of that we are putting on a platform for the charity."

Every couple of weeks, new names will be announced as part of the event's line-up. It is anticipated that the closer to the date, the bigger the names will be.

The first contenders announced this week to fight are John Mackay, partner at Holland Beckett Lawyers, and Aaron Moores, adviser at Craigs Investment Partners.

Both men spend their days in suits and said they looked forward to competing in the ring.

Mr Moores said he had no idea the event was going to be such a high profile night.

"My motivation is firstly to raise funds for a great charity and secondly to use the event preparation to improve my health and fitness."

Mr Mackay said the event was an opportunity to challenge himself mentally and physically.

"I enjoy boxing workouts at Tga Box and relish the intensity of the training and the fact that it is a full body workout."

The Lord of the Ring has been sanctioned by the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association.

Official training leading up to the event will begin next month at Tga Box Health and Fitness.

Tga Box principal and co-promoter Chris Walker said most members of the gym were business people who simply wanted to engage in a motivating fitness programme coupled with elements of competition.

Lord of the Ring, sponsored by Carrus, will take place on December 8 at Tect Arena at Baypark. Table of 10 bookings and more information are available at www.lordofthering.net.nz.