'The Beast' to be unleashed in Dubai
Come Friday, June 7, at the Andalous Ballroom, Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai, will turned into a gladiatorial arena.
An account manager, a construction worker and an events manager are among those who will be swapping their regular work personas for a one-night-only attitude of pugilism at White Collar Fight Night 10.
Before testing their mettle in the ring at the tenth edition of White Collar Fight Night, the mixed bag of aspiring boxers – including Mark ‘Beefcake’ Bough, a Key Account Manager at MMI; Tim ‘The Beast’ Baker – Managing Director & Partner of Hug, a digital advertising agency, and Mon ‘Star’ Belle, an event manager at Infusion Magazine – will have endured an intensive eight-week training regime under the strict guidance of professional boxing coach Zack Taumafai.
Here is what the boxers have to say:
Tim “The Beast” Baker
Managing Director & Partner of Hug, a digital advertising agency “Through the intensive training regime, I have noticed a drastic increase in productivity in my professional life, I am far more focused then I have ever been and seem to be calmer when dealing with pressing issues.”
“I have invited clients, family and friends to the fight night so there is a tremendous amount of pressure to succeed. I have seen such a change in my physique and stamina, I’m really looking forward to showing them what can be accomplished when you set yourself a target, that ordinarily you would have dreamt of achieving.”
Mon ‘Star’ Belle
Event Manager at ‘Infusion’ magazine
“I work in events so my job usually involves working week days and weekends. However, since I have been training, I’ve found that the amount of energy that I have has completely changed my life around not only am I far more focused at work, I’ve managed to achieve a summer bikini body as well.”
David ‘Just Chill’ Craig
DJ
“Training has been a major challenge for me due to my profession as a DJ, I often finish work at 2am and then have to be up for training at 5am. Although it has been tough, I found that it is getting easier and now I can’t wait to get into the ring.”
Mark “Beefcake” Bough
“When I first signed up for White Collar Boxing, I was worried on how my stamina would hold out while trying to tackle three rounds of intense boxing; with the training provided by KO gym, I have now lost seven and a half kilos, my stamina has increased fivefold and I am now fully confident challenging my opponent in the coming weeks.”
Mark Povey, organiser of White Collar Fight Night on behalf of Transguard Group commented: “Before even climbing in the ring, the contenders are committing 100% to the challenge of White Collar Fight Night by agreeing to undergo testing physical training and controlled dieting. It’s all about transforming white collar business professionals into leather-glove-wielding fighting machines!”
In front of a sell-out black tie audience of more than 500 guests, 16 contestants – both men and women – will be put to the ultimate test, throwing-off boardroom etiquette to have a swing-in-the-ring against fellow Dubai executives.
“The event has become a fixture on Dubai’s social calendar, providing a chance for the corporate ‘suits’ to show their discipline in the ring, and their support of the concept by cheering on their corporate peers” Povey added.
Importantly for the organisers, a third of the fighters’ sponsorship fees are donated to Christel House – a charity providing education to underprivileged children in Bangalore, India.
