Fight the good fight

MARC GREENHILL finds his inner warrior.

It is amazing what daring stunts you can justify with the three simple words.

A light welterweight newspaper reporter has no business in a boxing ring, yet I still signed as one of 18 novice boxers putting their chins on the line at Christchurch's inaugural Fight for Youth event on April 9.

"It's for charity," I told myself.

Christchurch City councillor Yani Johanson and I will trade blows over three 90-second rounds in front of an expected crowd of 1200 at Cowles Stadium.

While it it doesn't sound long, based on the training I've done it will seem an eternity in the ring.

The event is aimed at raising money and awareness for less well- known youth organisations in Canterbury, such as the Pacific Trust, Pillars Christchurch and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Each contender has chosen an organisation to support.

Fight for Youth organiser Justin Wallace says matching fighters to individual charities makes it more personal. He hopes the event will become an annual fundraiser.

"I wanted to go for some of our lesser-known organisations," Wallace says. "There's a lot of organisations within our community that do some very good work and go relatively unnoticed."

Deputy Mayor Norm Withers will run an auction on the night to benefit Sport Canterbury's Sporting Chance fund, which helps young people from poorer families participate in sport.

I have adopted the Papanui Youth Centre because I grew up in the northwest and attended Papanui High School. It would have been excellent to have access to the drop- in centre's facilities, such as the climbing wall, recording studio, art rooms and a gaming space, when I was at school.

Wallace's other shrewd move has been matching fighters from opposing companies in the same industry. The battle of the real estate companies will be interesting, as I'm told more than friendly wagers are riding on the results.

"They compete against each other in the marketplace day in and day out, so this is opportunity for them to step into the ring and have a go there," Wallace says.

Journalists and elected officials are supposed to be naturally opposed, so the fight against Johanson should not lack intensity.

At this stage, I'm claiming underdog status against the bigger councillor and the obligatory trash talk will be kept in check until I'm confident the fists can back up the mouth.

This all began when I received an email that Wallace had tantalisingly titled, "your next challenge".

Having just returned from traversing the Canterbury Plains by foot and bike for two weeks in January, I was not contemplating putting my body through the wringer again. While the walk was tough, the plains were not going to punch me in the face. However, Wallace must have sparked my inner warrior because I agreed after a few days and without a confirmed opponent to size up.

The Canterbury Boxing Association will provide boxing expertise and ensure fighters are trained to standard. One advantage in my favour is having former New Zealand Olympic coach Kevin Barry Sr in my corner.

With his gym at Belfast now closed, Kevin trains a few hand- picked fighters from his home and was happy to add another amateur when I asked for help. He's no- nonsense and trains with the approach that even charity boxers are challenging for the world title.

The training regime has been intense, with about four 90-minute sessions a week at the gym.

Sparring sessions have been eye- opening because it seems much easier to pound the bag or pads when they're not hitting you back.

With only a few weeks until the event, there is still much work to do.

While I'm hoping readers will support my charity, donations for any of the fighters can be made at www.givealittle.co.nz/member/enthdegree

CONFIRMED CONTENDERS: Mark O'Loughlin (Bayleys), Ta Karati (Harcourts Grenadier), Reon Goodwillie (First Mobile/Vodafone), Gareth deGarnham (Leading Edge Communications), Chris Simon (Radio Hauraki), Mike Smith (Dress Smart Hornby), Paul Joyce (Bartercard), Mike Field (Canterbury Youth Development), Richard Hawke (Coverstaff), Mark Allison (Independent Liquor), Matt Wood (Les Mills), Willie TeRatana (Christchurch City Council), Jen Chapman (Youthline), Louise Banks (Harcourts Holmwood), Alexandra Davids (Aceomatic) and Larissa Wright (Wright's Nails). 

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