What do a property consultant, a businesswoman, a housewife and a nurse have in common apart from the fact that they are women?
These enterprising ladies are four of the 16 competitors stepping into the boxing ring this evening in the third White Collar Fight Night (WCFN) at Dubai's Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa Hotel.
White Collar Boxing (WCB) combines a black-tie gala dinner and eight boxing bouts and organisers hope this third edition will welcome some 820 spectators.
Sarah Thorsen, 24, from Copenhagen, works with Easy Property Group and will face opponent Leanne Urbon, 27, an Australian and a mother of two, while Dutch nurse Mieke Quarrie, 32, goes up against Stephanie 'Hammer' Hamilton, a 35-year-old jewellery business owner from Canada.
All four have different reasons for wanting to make their mark in this male- dominated sport; none of which have anything to do with Hillary Swank or the film Million Dollar Baby. "I initially did it to keep fit but I love a challenge and because of my Viking blood, I can't wait to get into the ring now. It's all about the occasion, the passion and the intensity," says Sarah.
Leanne agrees it wasn't that big a deal when she first signed on, but once she put on her gloves, "I knew there was no way I'd give up or give anything less than 100 per cent." She heard about WCB from a friend, and thought it would be a good way to meet people. "Now I'm convinced it'll be a great story when I'm too old to walk."
Stephanie has different reasons for entering. She wants to use the event to raise funds for the All 4 Down Syndrome support group, which offers emotional and financial support to families affected by the condition. Her daughter Ruby is one of those afflicted and it is Ruby's daily achievements – which often come after many hurdles – that inspire her.
"I also want to show my girls you can achieve anything you set your mind to and to try to experience things you might not otherwise."
Mieke signed up to lose her pregnancy weight. As a reserve fighter for WCB2, she was automatically given a place this time around.
"Boxing is 99 per cent cardio fitness training but it is also a cerebral game," she says, dispelling myths that the game is all brawn and no brains.
"In the ring it can be tough. You receive punches and have to hit someone. In there all you want to do is suck your opponent into your fight plan and make them do things you want them to do."
So does this mean that WCB can get dangerous, in the ring where tempers are known to skyrocket with the least bit of provocation? Not at all, insists event organiser John Mamea-Wilson. "All competitors learn how to box in supervised sparring sessions. Their safety is our priority. They train according to the rigorous rules of White Collar Boxing and under the supervision of professional trainers. The bouts themselves are supervised by a professional referee."
The sport demands total commitment, including practice sessions at 6am, and these four have been juggling crazy schedules to stay the course. All are supported by their families, including children who think mum is cool. Sarah says her professional boxer boyfriend is both a big fan and full of encouragement, while Stephanie says husband James has dedicated himself to training with her at 6am thrice a week. Mieke even has her sister and friends flying from Holland to cheer her on.
White Collar Fight Night. Tickets at www.showbizme.com
Backstory
A black-tie event, White Collar Boxing (WCB) takes its name from the fact that it is practiced by white-collar professionals from all walks of life.
It is an exciting variant of amateur boxing with a few subtle safety elements added, thus allowing participants between the ages of 20 and 55 years to train and compete.
The dynamic sport originated in the famous Gleasons Gym New York in 1988. The first contests were held between Dr Richard Novak, an attorney and veterinarian, and Dr David Lawrence, a PhD in English literature.
After the contest, the two went to dinner to celebrate the birth of a new sport.