Corporate boxing came to Tauranga in style on Saturday night with the inaugural Carrus Lord of the Ring charity challenge.
The black tie event went better than even the most optimistic of the organisers had hoped for, with plenty of entertainment keeping the vibrant crowd going all night and $69,215
was raised for the Waipuna Hospice in Tauranga.
The event featured 11 corporate fights of three two-minute rounds and one professional bout in which Tauranga's New Zealand Super Middleweight champion Gunnar Jackson had a rare appearance in front of his home crowd against South Auckland journeyman Moses Ioelu.
The who's who of the Bay turned up in their best frocks and suits. As well as the boxing, entertainment included local songstress Anna Hawkins, an all male dance group, Brokeback Mountain, a Neil Diamond impersonator and the bikini-clad scorecard holder.
Naming sponsor Scott Adams of Carrus Corporation, which owns the Lakes subdivision in Tauranga, told the Bay of Plenty Times that more than 1800 people attended the event, raising $69,215 for local charity Waipuna Hospice, a figure that is set to rise as the donations are added up.