Shock Jock Michael Laws enjoyed a surprise result in his boxing showdown with Ken Mair - he emerged bloody yet undefeated.
Long touted as the underdog, Laws was quickly covered in blood in the Wanganui-based Christchurch fundraiser.
But after three rounds, the final result was declared a draw.
Laws has next week to nurse his wounds with a third consecutive week on leave following comments on his Radio Live show which appeared to incite listeners to murder journalists.
The violence he offered the profession was rather milder during the week when Laws thumped the son of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, TV3 journalist Dan.
The television reporter climbed into the ring with Laws at the weigh-in for his fight with Ken Mair on Thursday.
Parker said he was rather proud of his youngest son because he'd retaliated and thrown a punch back at Laws that had "connected very well".
The Christchurch mayor said that the "King of the Ring" fight between Laws and Maori activist Mair last night in Wanganui was an amazing way to raise money for those affected by the earthquake.
"Big thank you from us here in Christchurch, it's just wonderful it really is," Parker said.
Meanwhile, the election triumph of Laws' former political party NZ First has sparked suggestions he could return to work for his old friend Winston Peters.
Yesterday Peters would not rule out the chance of Laws returning to work for the rejuvenated party. "I'm not going to respond to these stories through the media. People who are involved in industrial relations disputes are entitled for it to be solely between them and their employers."
Peters said the back-office make up of his party was taking shape but would not be drawn on whether he had approached Laws.
MediaWorks publicity manager Rachel Lorimer said yesterday that an employment dispute was keeping Laws off air.
"He is on leave while discussions continue between him and RadioLive so he'll be off air until there's a resolution," she said.
Last month Laws told listeners: "Have you noticed the Herald on Sunday, for example, which is rabid all the time. No idea why somebody hasn't taken the shotgun there and just cleaned out the entire newsroom."