Duo relishing the chance to glove up

FACE OFF: Stellar's Jennifer Alston and the Riverside Bar's Emily Kara say the fight will bring them closer.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 210415WCSMBOXING1

The match-up between Emily Kara and Jennifer Alston in the corporate bouts at the Rise of the Flava Fallen Fight Night on Anzac Day will be far more than handbags at 10 paces.

The bout is one of two all-female match-ups on the undercard at Springvale Stadium and pits bar against bar, with Kara representing the Riverside Bar and Alston putting it on the line for Stellar.

Both have been training hard for the fight that features three two-minute rounds - if it goes the distance.

Neither fighter describe themselves as dedicated sportswomen, but both have embraced tough training regimes over the past two months to get themselves fit for the ring. Nor do they describe themselves as best mates, although there are firm plans in place to become drinking buddies by night's end.

"We know each other, but I wouldn't say we are best mates, We probably will be afterwards, though, when we have a few bevvies," Kara said yesterday.

"I've actually been training for 10 weeks and loving it. I gave up smoking and have had far less nights out lately to get fit - it's so exciting."

Alston said she too had given up smoking and was relishing the training.

"Well, I've pretty much given up smoking, although I'd love one right now. I have really enjoyed the training, but I don't think I'll continue after the fight.

"There will be no love lost inside the ring, but I'm sure we will be closer friends because of it. I'm actually sad it's almost over," Alston said.

Both have specifically trained to last the three two-minute rounds and are surprised how much energy is required.

Alston is almost bang on her fight weight, but Kara admits she needs to shed up to 3kg by the official public weigh-in at Majestic Square on Friday at 1pm.

"I've put about 10kg on since I began. I don't think it's the training, I think it's eating after giving up smoking," she said.

The other all-female bout matches Sheryl Bennett, from Silver Fern Farms, and Clare Lynch, from Sport Wanganui.

Rise of the Fallen is shaping up as the highest-profile boxing show in Wanganui with a second New Zealand title fight added to the undercard.

As well as Wanganui-born light-heavyweight Robert "The Butcher" Berridge defending his NZPBA belt against Andrew Robinson, a third professional fight will be Taranaki's Daniel Maxwell defending the NZPBA super welterweight crown against Wellington's Blake Bell.

-Doors open at Springvale Stadium at 6pm on Saturday.