Boxing: Elle shapes up for new challenge

First time boxers Elle Reid (left) and Olivia Adams have signed up for Rotorua's Christmas with a Punch Round Four event in December. Photo / Stephen Parker

Despite being the daughter of an All Black, Elle Reid has never really got into sports.

She is a self-confessed shopaholic and will tell you she much prefers a day out at the sales.

Unsurprisingly, it came as a bit of a shock to some of her friends and family when she signed up for a corporate fight night - the Christmas with a Punch Round Four event in December.

"There was lots of mixed emotions [when I told people], just because I'm a real girly girl and people were saying you will have to cut your nails and get all sweaty," she said with a laugh.

She said even her dad Hika Reid was a bit surprised.

"He just sighed and said it is going to be a lot of hard work ... but he is proud of me."

Reid is one of 26 fighters now confirmed for the corporate fight night on Saturday December 6 at Rotorua Girls' High School Arena, organised by the RotoVegas Boxing Gym.

Reid said RotoVegas Boxing Gym coach Aaron Warren had asked her a couple of times to take part, and she eventually said yes.

She said she wanted to get fitter and liked the challenge.

"The main reason is just the fitness side of things, and it will be good for the summer body as well," she said.

"I can't really say I'm confident as. You want to win but it is just cool to train for something."

Reid, who works at Glassons in the Central Mall, will be fighting local hair dresser Olivia Adams on December 6.

Adams and Reid started their boxing training this month, attending four trainings a week at the RotoVegas Boxing Gym.

"There is nothing in training that I haven't enjoyed yet, but the fitness side of things is the hardest part," Adams said.

Adams comes from a strong sporting background but has never been involved in a fight night before.

"I have been doing motocross since I was 5 and speedway for the last two years," she said. "I've got a real competitive nature but I'm a real softy in the day to day."

The pair will compete in one of 13 bouts on the night.

All the fights will feature local fighters apart from one, which will pit Rotorua's Jared Gray against a corporate fighter from David Tua's gym in Auckland.

Warren said the fighters will be broken into a blue team and a red team. He said they received 129 nominations for the fight night but had to dwindle that number down to 25.

Money raised through table sales and general admission will go towards the new RotoVegas Boxing and Fitness Centre on Te Ngae Rd, which is currently being built.

The RotoVegas Boxing Gym, currently on Lancewood Cres in Owhata, helps many children in the community with free after-school programmes.

The gym also run the Champion Made programme in local schools.

Table sales are now open, contact Tanya 027 548 2692 for more information.

Christmas with a Punch Round Four fight card:
Saturday, December 6, RGHS Arena

Men: George Gilmore v Regan Feek; Ryan Petch v Nathan Toi; Joe Dorsett v Carl Gage; Graham Black v Karl John; Aubrey Rikihana v Denton Grimes; Slade King v Ra Wiki; Aaron Morrison v Sililo Levae; Jared Gray v David Tua Fighter.
Women: Elle Reid v Olivia Adams; Bridie Witton v Maylene Meroiti; Tammy Nicholls v Te Aroha Wihapi; Vickey Eggleton v Nicole Harvey; Lisa Duff v Tinah Murtagh.