White Collar Boxing
An unusual and exciting charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK
At VRS there is a history of supporting good causes, and we were delighted to sponsor our apprentice Byron who very bravely put himself forward to take part in a charity boxing evening called White Collar Boxing. Briefly it is where people who have not boxed before put themselves into the ring to face another like-minded individual in aid of charity. This event was in support of Cancer Research UK, a charity that VRS were very happy to support, especially following our MD Serena Sinanan’s own successful fight with cancer over recent years.
Byron sensibly threw himself into an 8-week training programme before he eventually stepped into the ring for his debut contest on Sat 24th March 2018 at the Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre. As he did so he hoped that the exciting experience of stepping through the ropes for the first time would not be matched by flying back out of them halfway through the bout! Pre-fight nerves were made all the more difficult to deal with in having to wait until 9pm for the sound of the bell signalling the start of his scheduled three round contest, each of two minutes duration.
Byron acquitted himself well in the early stages, although at the bell ending round one his opponent seemed to have just edged it. Undeterred, Byron came out fighting in round two and landed some good punches. Sadly, none of his punches matched the smacker which was planted on the end of his nose which knocked him back for a count towards the end of the round but Byron was happy to continue. As we might expect of Byron, he said he was ok to continue in round three, but his corner man had the last word and decided that round three should not go ahead.
Putting himself forward for such an event was a brave thing to do, and we are very proud of his efforts. Byron thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So much so, that he is willing to do it all again if the chance comes his way. Despite losing this one, he enjoyed a friendly chat and a few drinks with his opponent afterwards. Byron raised more than his £200 target, with the whole evening raising around £14500.
VRS have willingly supported charity events over the years in all sorts of ways including sponsorship of individuals, donating prizes for prize draws, and at times organising their own fund raising events in conjunction with Fareham Snooker Club next door.
