DEVASTATING hooks, ferocious uppercuts and lightning-quick jabs will punish faces when novice boxers take to the ring this weekend.
Builders, teachers and office workers are among more than 50 local professionals ready to mix it up at a Reading Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event.
The aspiring pugilists will fight after a gruelling eight week training programme at Shaolin Tigers Martial Arts centre in Scours Lane.
Over the two months of training, the 18-55-year-old beginners have learned to jab, hook, uppercut and cross their way to a knockout victory.
Dramatic weight loss, harsh conditioning exercises and footwork drills have been part of their intensive introduction to the sweet science.
On Saturday, the athletes will duke it out in front of 1,600 spectators in the name of personal pride, boxing glory and most importantly fundraising for Cancer Research UK.
Dan Eden, owner of STMA Reading said: “It’s amazing to see how this group of novice boxers and fighters from all walks of life have really matured and progressed in the past eight weeks.
“It has improved their overall fitness and wellbeing as well as their confidence.
“This program really does change people’s lives and we have had countless examples of positive feedback from the participants. It’s all for a great cause too, raising much needed funds for Cancer Research UK to help save lives.
UWCB participants are given £300 worth of training for free in return for a minimum fundraise of £50 for Cancer Research. Male and female boxers from Reading have already raised more than £600,000 for charity since events began locally.
This weekend’s event takes place at Hampshire court Hotel in Basingstoke from 3.30pm.
Each boxer has been matched with an adversary based on weight, age and ability levels.
Competitors will wear headguards, gumshields and heavier 16oz gloves for a safer contest.
For more information, visit ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/locations/reading
For ticket information, visit, www.ultratickets.co.uk
By George Hamilton
