Get In The Ring: White Collar Boxing Returns

White Collar Boxing China has announced it will be hosting a second "Brawl on the Wall" fight night in Beijing on November 16, with an information session and registration night taking place at Great Leap Brewpub (Sanlitun) from 7pm next Monday, August 12.

Last year's event (see photos here) raised RMB 50,000 for children's charity Leo's Foundation Beijing, and organizer Shane Benis is aiming to double that haul this year.

To reach that RMB 100,000 goal, the organizers firstly need to recruit some fighters. They need you. But you're thinking: "Oh, I couldn't do that. I'm soft as a Weetabix after ten minutes soaking in milk." Garbage. Last year, three members of the Beijinger team took part; two fought in the final event, and one even won a fight. If we can do it, you can (and if you need more proof, see the video at the bottom of this post).

So if you're keen, get yourself along to Great Leap on August 12 and sign up. The 12 weeks of training sessions (likely to be three sessions per week, though this has not yet been confirmed) are a huge bargain at RMB 1,500 all in. Coaches from local gym Fight Republic, headed up by Rory Vandenberg (featured in the July issue of the Beijinger) will be taking the sessions, which start on August 21.

Now, some of you may be asking: "What is White Collar Boxing?" Here's a step-by-step account of what it involves:

1. People who have never boxed before or have limited boxing experience sign up to take part. Simple question: Are you or were you ever a professional boxer? If the answer is "yes," you should not be signing up for this.

2. Male and female participants train several times per week (last year it was three) for 12 weeks.

3. From the beginning, training is a mixture of cardio work and boxing technique, starting with stance and basic punches. You will need to buy your own gloves, wraps, headguard and mouthguard.

4. After three or four weeks, sparring will be introduced. If you don't want to spar, you don't need to, but if you're serious about getting onto the fight card for the event on November 16, now's the time to step up your game.

5. After about eight weeks, the coaches and organizers will pair boxers off to create the bill for the "Brawl on the Wall" fight night on November 16. (Note: Not everyone who signs up gets the chance to fight at the Brawl on the Wall. Fighters are selected based on a combination of ability and whether there is another participant who is an even match for their size and skill.)

6. The last few weeks of training are focused on preparation for fight night.

7. The Brawl on the Wall itself is a black tie event involving dinner, prize draws and, of course, the boxing. If you know one of the fighters, you're going to enjoy yourself. If you are one of the fighters, this will probably be one of the highlights of your entire life. Everyone will think you are a legend, even if you lose.

8. Money raised from the Brawl on the Wall goes to Leo's Foundation Beijing. Leo's Foundation provides support for under-privileged families with premature babies who are being treated for respiratory illnesses at Beijing Children's Hospital.

The upsides of getting involved in this event: You will gain fitness, you will lose weight and you might even develop some muscles. These effects will be amplified if you attend class regularly and lay off the chips and alcohol. You will meet new people, and may even come to call some of them friends. Your friends will display increased levels of respect and admiration for you. Members of the opposite sex may even talk to you.

The downsides: You will quickly tire of everyone asking you things like "You're doing this kung fu thing, yeah? How's that going?" You will tire even more quickly of people coming up to you and "playfully" jabbing you in the stomach and head. You will want to knock these people out. Also, you really should stop drinking and eating burgers. If you do stop drinking, but continue to socialize, you will realize you actually hate everyone. Especially when they come up to you and jab you in the stomach. Eventually, it will all be too much and you will lash out and deck one of your best friends to teach him a lesson. He will bleed, and everyone will, for a time, think you are a douche. You will all get over it.

Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives. And it's for a damn good cause. If you're convinced, you know where to be: Great Leap Brewpub, 7pm, August 12. And if you're not convinced, watch the video below for proof that toughness and coordination are the last things you need to get started in White Collar Boxing.

Photos: Courtesy of White Collar Boxing China