Fight for Life journey for 33 hopefuls

Fight for Life Training - The boxers in training are — Tyler Burgess, Carl Riini, Fale Toleofoa, Ema Vincent-Logan, Rose Gavin, David Schwass, Aimee Milne, Maria Jeffery, Jade Stafford, Shane Luke, Kim Mitchell, Karen Wells, Stacey McBeth, Debra Rasmussen, Erena Koopu, Simon Benge, James Thomas, Kasey Brown, Bevan Brooking, Mike Kora, Katie Kirkpatrick, Everest Doleman, George Horshall, Chris Brown, Rosina Reiri, Manu Niwa, Nicole Paulson, Amber Dayberg, Blake Farrell, Ani Tiko, Carl Carmody, Michael McClutchie, Kaumoana Te Awhitu.

Three months is all that 33 wannabe boxers have to be fighting fit for the Life Education Trust’s Fight for Life extravaganza 2018.

Event organiser Anelia Evans said the group had cleared the first hurdle after 58 applicants initially put up their hands to compete.

“They took part in a tough selection workout and underwent stringent medical and physio test analysis, which resulted in the selected 33 who now join the training crew,” she said.

The event is raising money for the trust’s activities here while also lifting its profile in the community.

The group of 33 are on their way to become boxers by November 30 but only 18 of them will make it into the ring at Showgrounds Park Event Centre that day.

“Their training regime involves twice-weekly fitness training co-ordinated by Hoagz Sport and Fitness with the support of the YMCA Fitness Gisborne and CrossFit Gisborne, who are generously offering multiple fitness sessions for the boxers to participate in each week,” Evans said.

They are also expected to line up at Saturday morning park runs.

Fitness co-ordinator Alan Hogarth says they face a real journey.

“We take them to a new level of fitness to prepare them for an amateur bout in the ring. The physical and mental conditioning required is tough. In fact, their whole journey is as tough but it will prove very rewarding”.

The team have already started training with Patu Tahi Boxing Club.

Under the watchful eye of trainer Kim-Maree Larby, they will prepare for the final selection on September 28.

Trainees are expected to attend at least two of the five boxing sessions on offer each week. Their selection will be livestreamed on Facebook.

The entire group will continue training through to Fight Night, as substitutes are often required and it is not uncommon to lose fighters through injury or illness in the tough 12-week training camp.

The Life Education Trust was grateful for the support of Patu Tahi Boxing club, Hoagz Sport and Fitness, YMCA Fitness Gisborne and CrossFit Gisborne, said Evans.

“They generously support the aspiring boxers each year and help the trust in running an exciting and safe event.

“We’ve attracted a great team of boxers and we are grateful to them for the efforts they are putting in to raise money for the trust to help them deliver Life Education messages to the 6000 kids in our region”.

The boxers in training are — Tyler Burgess, Carl Riini, Fale Toleofoa, Ema Vincent-Logan, Rose Gavin, David Schwass, Aimee Milne, Maria Jeffery, Jade Stafford, Shane Luke, Kim Mitchell, Karen Wells, Stacey McBeth, Debra Rasmussen, Erena Koopu, Simon Benge, James Thomas, Kasey Brown, Bevan Brooking, Mike Kora, Katie Kirkpatrick, Everest Doleman, George Horshall, Chris Brown, Rosina Reiri, Manu Niwa, Nicole Paulson, Amber Dayberg, Blake Farrell, Ani Tiko, Carl Carmody, Michael McClutchie, Kaumoana Te Awhitu.