Courage and fear will be on the line at the ASB Baypark Arena at Mount Maunganui on Friday, July 12, when 18 first-time boxers step into the ring to raise funds to assist the work of the Te Aranui Youth Trust.
It takes plenty of courage for the aspiring pugilists to make the decision to fight in the Dare Fight for Youth, in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd. Eighteen local men and women are putting it on the line in a spectacular manner to support the youth of the region.
All the aspiring boxers began training together a few weeks ago, under the tutelage of respected Tauranga boxing trainer Hemi Niha. One of the first shocks to greet the fight participants, in order to have them at the required fitness level to face three two-minute rounds in the ring, was a run to the top of Mount Maunganui.
This was just the start of regular training, where waistlines disappeared and fitness levels started to slowly increase.
The boxers who will enter the ring for the first time come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including two local firefighters who will square off against police opponents.