Herald on Sunday reporter Kieran "Bad News" Nash reports on his unanimous points decision over his charity boxing rival Nick "Fists of Fury" Ferdinando at the Langham Hotel on Friday night.
The fight against Fists of Fury over three two-minute rounds was the toughest mental and physical challenge I've
ever had.
I'm standing in a corridor, the murmur of the Langham's Great Room humming down the hall.
Bounding from toe to toe, I peek through a sliver of black curtain at the crowd waiting on the other side.
The panic attack I'm waiting for doesn't come. I'm a fairly nervous guy at the best of times so a crowd of 750 people should turn me into a quivering heap on the floor.
Cue my fight music. I push through the curtain and out into the hall, approaching the ring.
The 40-strong crowd I have brought drown out the throng of Air Force supporters there to back my opponent.
An almighty cheer goes up as my name is called out.
We get in the ring.
Touch gloves and we're off.
I'd figured out in sparring that no-one guards an uppercut after a jab, and this is exactly what I give him, just to let him know who's the boss of this fight.
A bit of dancing, then out of nowhere a left hook smashes into my jaw. Luckily the stars evaporate and we keep going at it.
Then the bell. I'm fairly confident I have won that round even though my lungs are on fire and it feels like I'm breathing through a straw.
Round two.
I duck and dodge a few, then land another solid uppercut and some hooks that I know have him hurting.
Then I jab on his nose, snapping his head back. He doesn't block it. Another jab. . He doesn't block that one either and I see a tiny bit of blood creeping out his nostril.
Three or four more of those, each drawing more and more blood.
Round Three.
About 30 seconds in, I deliver a solid combo, snapping his head in all directions. It's just willpower keeping me on my feet till the end.
Then it's over.
The ref brings us to the centre of the ring, he squeezes my hand and whispers "it's yours".
Many thanks to sponsors Exclusive Suit Hire, Original Print Media, Sera Lilly and Les Mills.
The fight night alone raised more than $20,000 for KidsCan Stand Tall.
