Ladies line up complete for White Collar Boxing

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•  Female philosophy lecturer selected with five other women to step into the ring at Dubai’s White Collar Boxing Fight Night

 
A philosophy lecturer at the UAE University will climb into the boxing ring at Dubai’s White Collar Fight Night on May 15 and warns spectators not to expect any ‘sissy or pitty-pat’ punches or ‘peek-a-boo’ hide and seek techniques - because as any boxer will tell you - there’s no place to hide in the ring.
 
Twenty-four year old Frenchwoman Alexandra Littaye, is among six women selected for the event, who are undergoing eight grueling weeks of extensive physical training and coaching on the finer points of the noble art of boxing
For Alexandra, this has meant travelling from Al Ain to Dubai every weekday at 4am to train, but the experience has been worth it. “It’s made me more confident and much more assertive.”
 
White Collar Boxing, now in its fourth year in Dubai, includes a black tie dinner, entertainment and fundraising, and culminates in White Collar male and female boxing bouts. It is being held at Dubai''s Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa Hotel on Friday, May 15.
 
In addition to the six women, fourteen men have been matched-up to compete in seven additional bouts, which consist of three by two minute rounds, under the supervision of a professional referee. There are no losers; anyone who trains and then competes in White Collar is a winner.
 
Another female contestant is 38-year old Fleur Khan, a rugby-playing Australian mother of three and an HR Manager, who, though very nervous, is excited about the bout, and believes the experience will reflect positively on her professional life, because of the discipline and commitment involved.
 
“The evening is not just about the fight,” said John Mamea-Wilson, of Transguard Group. “We want contestants to feel that everything they’ve achieved- the dedication, the commitment to doing something different, and the mental conditioning needed to step into a ring - will help them in their professional and indeed social lives.”
 
Another teacher willing to ‘have-a-go’ is 21-year old Australian, Bridie Thomson, a Year 1 teacher, who said the whole experience of showing respect for your opponent, is one she can share with her 5-year old pupils.
 
UK-born, 27-year old personal fitness trainer, Lauren “Light Outs” Whitby agrees and adds: “I really enjoy being pushed because that’s what I do all day to others. I think the greatest experience will be the actual mental challenge and pushing myself to get through it,” she said.
 
All contestants are equally matched and WCB makes sure they are ready to compete. Each competitor boxes under WCB rules with competitor safety and welfare a priority, added Mamea-Wilson.
 
Yet another teacher prepared to participate as a contestant is 25-year old PE teacher, Estelle Uren of New Zealand. She said: It’s a very personal time. There’s only you and your opponent in that ring, but it’s brought out an edge in me that I never knew was there,” she said.
 
Even so she is still nervous, scared and anxious about the fight. “Every time I think about it I get butterflies in my tummy and a big grin on my face,” she concluded.
 
White Collar Boxing originated in Gleasons gym New York in 1988. This year’s Dubai event has already received solid backing from Dubai’s business community with a number of high profile sponsors pledging their support, including; AirMiles, MacAir and Logsdail London.
 
For more information about sponsorship opportunities and tickets contact: Rachael Ricketts on rachael.ricketts@transguardgroup.net or telephone Mark Povey on 050 – 6257359.
 

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