The inaugural Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown charity boxing event will feature 11 bouts between novice pugilists who have never stepped into a ring before.
"All the contestants are nervous, as you'd expect. I've been speaking to them all week and they're all losing sleep over their strategies, but they're all feeling fit and good," promoter Doug Kamo said yesterday.
"I've also been talking with the trainers and, naturally, we've all got our favourites and feel like we can pick some of the bouts.
But we have absolutely no idea who will take out the last three bouts."
The event had captured the imagination of contestants and public alike, as it featured "ordinary people stepping outside their comfort zones", Mr Kamo said.
"Sales have been excellent. We've only got a couple of tables left and, if we get another 100 people or so in the western grandstand, we'll just about have a capacity crowd of around 1200.
"We will definitely be back with this next year. We know from the interest this year that it's a great charity fundraising event. We'll be calling for contenders for next year on the night and we'll be looking for another local, youth-based charity to align ourselves with. The Malcam Trust was the perfect fit for the first year."
Malcam Charitable Trust founder and 2012 Senior New Zealander of the Year Malcolm Cameron said he was excited about the event tonight.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I've got my penguin suit all ready and a ringside table," Mr Cameron said.
"We're very happy to endorse this event and feel very special that we're the first chosen charity. We're a charitable trust, so we're always looking for new fundraising opportunities."
The Malcam Trust is a major provider of youth development and support programmes in Otago.
The bouts involve three two-minute rounds and the event has been sanctioned by the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association, the 22 fighters having undergone a three-month training regime, supervised by Dunedin trainers Ryan Henry, Eldon Clifton and Grant Hughes.
"I rate them all as good wee boxers now. They've definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm confident they'll all put on a really good show," New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy trainer Mr Henry said.
"It will be a great night."
The Southern Showdown starts at 7.35pm in the Lion Foundation Arena. The card is: Devin Stapley v Jason Hughes, Andrew Leys v Barry Smith, Rosie Finigan v Rowena Davenport, David Miskimmin v Russell Lundy, Chris Burke v James Graham, Leanne Fry v Sheryn McLeod, James Mitchell v Tom West, Francis Fitzpatrick v Mark Miller, Charlie O'Connell v Dale Jarden, David Davies v Warren Alcock and Damian Newell v James Smith.
