Some of the fighters who will take part in the fight night, along with some sparring partners. Standing, from left: Zane Hopman, Jade Fleetwood, Taylor Wilson, Tama Ihaka-Rimene, Denver Hurndell, Bert Hughes, Nicholas Hohepa and James Goodger. Kneeling, from left: Laura Hull, Steph Hunt and Dyana Hanson. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
BOXING
JAKE BELESKI
[email protected]
Fight night will be returning to Masterton when the Hands of Hope Fight Night takes place at the Trust House Recreation Centre on September 1.
The event will be hosted by The Fortitude Gym and will feature a mixture of muay Thai and boxing bouts.
Trainer Zane Hopman said bringing a top-quality fight night back to the region was something they had wanted to achieve this year.
“It’s been something we wanted to do, depending on how things went with the gym itself.
“We set our sights on putting on our first promotion together and having a really good first-class show in Masterton again.”
They were hopeful fight nights could become a regular occurrence if it goes well.
Hopman has enjoyed plenty of success in the ring in both muay Thai and boxing, and was looking forward to giving others the opportunity to experience those feelings.
“The boxing will be made up of corporate boxers – there will be locals stepping up to have a bit of a nudge against each other.
“There are a couple who have had some fights before, who I’ve matched with people out of the region who have that experience as well.”
The Fortitude Gym muay Thai fighters Jade Fleetwood and Brent Sugrue will also be fighting for North Island titles at the event.
The event is being run in support of the Key to Life Charitable Trust, with a percentage of the money raised from ticket sales going to the charity.
There will also be items auctioned off on the night, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Hopman said being able to support the charity was a big benefit of the event.
“We do want to be able to do this again and continue to do it – it’s a real privilege to be able to give back.
“It’s more than just training people and putting out strong athletes – we want to make good, positive change in what is a nationwide epidemic.”
The charity aims to change the way New Zealanders feel, think, talk, act and behave in relation to suicide and mental health.
Hopman said Daniel Miller and the Young Citizens Boxing Club had helped to make the night possible by allowing access to their ring in the lead-up to the event.
Ticket prices and other information can be found on The Fortitude Gym Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/thefortitudegymnz/
Event link: www.facebook.com/events/971983999635961/
