White Collar Boxers go training for fight night

White Collar Boxers go training for fight night


Anton McNulty

A MONTH of heavy training has begun in earnest for a group of 24 novice men from Mayo who will take part in a White Collar Boxing event next month in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
The mixed bag of publicans, politicians and footballers are among the volunteers who will take part in the extensive six week training programme in St Anne’s Boxing Club in Westport which will culminate in a White Collar Fight Night in the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar on March 5.
The first training session began last week and the men will learn the art of boxing under the guidance of Youth World Lightweight Champion, Ray Moylette, as well as Peter Mullen, Paul Mullen, Gary Kennedy, Michael Burke, the coaches and trainers from St Anne’s.
The age, experience and fitness levels of the individuals participating vary from the sprightly young to the more mature grey-haired adults. Some have never even been in a boxing club before not to mention stepping into a boxing ring but in the next six weeks they will learn all about jabbing, uppercuts, crouching and hooks.
For the opening training session, all the men were put through their paces including a weigh-in supervised by Marian Irwin, who has been instrumental in roping in a lot of the individuals to take part on behalf of the Mayo branch of the IMNDA.
With careful coaching and professional trainers, these men will be transformed from ordinary decent men to boxing heroes through the use of heavy punch bags, skipping, pad work, proper diet, sparring, conditioning and stretching. The main benefit of participating in this spectacular event will allow the men to get into great shape, make new friends, have fun and raise funds for this very worthy and deserving charity.
With safety of the utmost concern, all fighters were required to undergo a full medical check-up before being allowed to participate. They must also wear head gear, mouth guards and gloves.
Boxers will be eager to fill their sponsorship cards and any contribution you may like to give will be greatly appreciated. All proceeds on the night will go towards the Mayo Branch of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Spectator tickets for the night cost €20 and are now available at the TR Royal by logging on to www.theroyal.ie or calling 0818 300 000.