Without doubt boxing is a one of the most challenging of all sports. It requires speed, agility, finesse, power, endurance, and ultimate mental toughness.
Boxing pushes you like no other, pitting you against an opponent with the same desire to win as yourself.
You will learn more about your strengths and weaknesses, and yourself control will grow.
It can be a graceful and precise sport, but at the same time can be raw and brutal.
Boxing reveals the true fighter deep inside every single one of us.
How many of us can say that after watching a Rocky movie they haven't been inspired by the training montages and Eye of the tiger music?
For most it's an inspiration that is gone within a couple of hours of the movie ending, but for some it stays with you.
Nowadays many gyms and personal fitness trainers as well as a multitude of boxing exercise DVDs are offering ways to train like a fighter. Boxercise, fight fit, etc.
But what if you want to take it further what if you want to actually get in the ring and compete.
White Collar Boxing takes its origins from Gleason's gym in New York. in 1988. Trainers prepared two novice boxers Dr. Richard Novak and Dr. David Lawrence for a fight of three rounds of two minutes each. The success of the first show and the demand by White Collar Boxers started a monthly series that has continued ever since.
The popularity of these events has spread globally and White Collar Boxing has become the worlds fastest growing corporate contact sport.
Established in 2009 in "Derby Ultra White Collar Boxing" is now the largest UK event organiser. They have put on fights in over 50 UK towns and cities, raising money for Cancer Research UK. To date they have raised well over £600,000.
Ultra White Collar Boxing offers members of the public even those with no prior boxing ability the chance to enter the ring in front of hundreds and experience the thrill of fighting against a matched opponent.
All boxers that take part help raise money for Cancer Research UK and are required to raise a minimum £50, but most raise much more.
Both male and female boxers can compete.
The bouts are three rounds of two minutes with one minute intervals.
Boxers are given eight weeks free training from ex-professional boxers and trainers in their area. They receive intense conditioning training and are taught all the skills required to compete in the event.
Safety is extremely important to UWCB
A summary of their guidelines follow:
Boxers train at the same gym to enable the trainers to assess the abilities of each boxer. The trainer can use this assessment to create a fair match for the fight.
16oz gloves to be worn
Full headgear to be worn
Groin protection compulsory for males, optional for females
Scoring by referee
Three standing eight counts in a round will result in referee stopping contest
The referee can stop the bout at any stage if in their independent opinion, the safety of either boxer is compromised.
In addition to the above guidelines, paramedics and a doctor will be present at all events to ensure the highest level of safety possible.
The Boxers Story
A friend of mine, Phil Ingleby of Sutton in Ashfield is one of the fighters who took up the UWCB challenge.
He started his eight week training and fought in Mansfield on 30th August 2014.
When I asked Phil about the eight-week training and his experience in the ring he responded with these words.
"I was impressed mate, yes. They offered two free training sessions a week with a former Muay Thai (Thai boxing) welterweight world champion, (Lee Chesters), who is one of the best coaches I've worked with... But, due to my previous experience in the sport, I decided to do 2 extra training sessions as an addition. 1 extra sparring session with lads from my old club and an extra fitness session with my friend who is a Personal trainer. We did an hour and half a week of circuit training and abdominal work"
"The fight I had in August was my first in almost eight years. I had fought in the ABA's previously, but retired through a back injury. I left the sport, with a hefty, but brave loss. I always felt that I left boxing behind with a bit of an injustice... My last fight was unfinished business, and I beat a very worthy opponent with more experience by a wide margin... Demon buried!!!"
Phil "The Ice Man" Ingleby fought against "Iron" Ryan Fitzpatrick at the John Fretwell Sports Centre in Mansfield on 30th August 2014.
He won on points and dedicated his fight to his Uncle Syd Ingleby. Syd was sadly taken by cancer earlier in the year.
He said he felt great to be back in the fight game.
Phil raised a total of £882 for Cancer Research UK an awesome achievement.
If you want to learn a new sport, get fit, gain a real sense of achievement and to reach your personal goals, why not try Ultra White Collar Boxing.
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