Boxing: Out and a bout looking for new boxers

The Christmas with a Punch corporate fight night will be held in Rotorua in December. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua's Christmas with a Punch corporate fight night is returning this December, with nominations open for potential fighters.

Christmas with a Punch Round Four will be held at the Rotorua Girls' High School Arena on Saturday December 6, matching local personalities, business people and athletes against one another in the ring.

Nominations are now open for locals who want to box on the night, with 24 fighters and 12 bouts needed for the fight card.

RotoVegas Boxing Gym coach, and event organiser, Aaron Warren said he had about 20 people put their names forward already but wanted more nominations.

"We are calling for more nominations, for people that want to get fit and look good this summer and learn the art and discipline of boxing."

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

Warren said there should be a good mix of fighters - drawn from business people, athletes or local personalities - fighting on the night.

He said most of them would have never fought before.

He said legendary Kiwi boxer David Tua would also be bringing two corporate fighters down on the night, from his gym in Auckland, to go up against two fighters from Rotorua.

Warren said anyone involved in one of the fights would be given free training and would be "well prepared" come their fight on December 6.

He said they hoped to have all the match-ups and fighters finalised by this Friday.

The RotoVegas Boxing Gym, currently on Lancewood Cres in Owhata, helps a lot of children in the community with free after-school programmes. They also run the Champion Made programme in local schools.

Title belts will be up for grabs during the Christmas With A Punch event, specially made and named as RotoVegas World Titles.

The Christmas With A Punch corporate fight night was last held in Rotorua in 2011.

• To put your name forward or nominate a local to fight in Christmas With A Punch Round Four, contact Aaron Warren on 027 542 2766.