Getting hot under the white collar

World Boxing Entertainment (WBE) presents the 19th White Collar Boxing Event on 15 September. It promises to be an adrenaline-packed fight night showcasing some of South Africa’s premier white collar boxing talent.

White collar boxing is a form of boxing where men and women in white collar professions train to fight at special events. It began at a boxing gym in New York in the 90s, where urban professionals gathered to spar against one another as a way of blowing off steam and staying active.

The sport has taken SA by storm, with boxing enthusiasts training hard and signing up to compete in the events. WBE 19 will be held at the Scarlet Ribbon at the Stoneridge shopping centre in Greenstone Park, transforming the venue into a boxing auditorium where passionate pugilists can showcase their skills.

SA musician Garth Taylor, taking part in the event, will go up against Andrew Savvides in the middleweight division. Taylor is using the fight to raise awareness about the Little Fighters Cancer Trust, a childhood cancer charity which offers individualised and practical support to children fighting cancer and their families.

“After having my sister, Joanne, taken away from me by cancer, I have even more of a soft spot for people fighting cancer,” said Taylor. “Having watched what she went through as an adult fighting this disease, I can only imagine how much worse it is for children who are suffering from cancer, to fight this battle.

“So, I figured, how bad can it be? Me, stepping into the ring and getting punched around for kids who are fighting for their lives every single day. I might as well see what I can do, if not through my singing, then by getting into the ring and doing something more exciting.”

Would you box for cancer? Tell us about your experience in doing something drastic for a worthy cause by posting your comments on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.