The first day of July starts the final countdown for the 18 local first-time boxers who are stepping into the ring for the Dare Fight For Youth.
It takes place on Friday, July 12 at the ASB Arena at Mount Maunganui.
The Dare Fight For Youth is raising funds to support the good work of the Te Aranui Youth Trust that works in close partnership with the New Zealand Police, delivering programs aimed at reducing offending and creating safer communities within the Western Bay of Plenty. Through the delivery of the Dare, Blue Light and Police Youth Development programs, Te Aranui Youth Trust provides a social service that helps local youth become positive, steadfast, well-adjusted members of the community.
While all 18 novice boxers are single-minded in their desire to assist local youth, the aspiring pugilists have reached new heights in health and fitness, during the intensive training sessions with TKO Boxing mentor Hemi Niha.
Two Western Bay professional businesswomen who will meet in the ring have extolled the virtues of their new fitness regimes. Brodie Cummins and Fiona Henderson have answered the challenge of courage and will square off in one of two women's bouts in the Dare Fight For Youth.
"My fitness has improved hugely from low-impact, low exercise to hardcore training," Cummins said.
"I really struggled on my first few nights, but Hemi is such an inspiration and helps motivate the mind and body to defeat the pain barrier and obstacles that you never though you would get over.
"I have a lot more energy and giving up smoking has seem my health improve markedly."
Henderson thought she was reasonably fit, and had a bit of a head start from attending boxfit boot camp, but quickly found out how wrong she was.
"The boxing training is exceptionally physical and while you don't seem to realise that you are working that hard, you are drenched with sweat within minutes.
"I feel like I'm standing taller and feeling stronger physically and emotionally, and I'm thinking more carefully about what I'm eating."
Both women admitted they would be nervous when taking to the ring on fight night.
"I don't generally get nervous about things until the last minute when it's about to happen," Henderson said.
Cummins says she feels good at the moment but when it comes to the crunch will probably be terrified.
"I'm very excited and can't wait but will probably be nervous on the walk to the ring."
Dare Fight for Youth Fight Card