The forthcoming launch of Fighting Chance Dubai, which takes place between 22-24 May, is set to put some of the world’s most renowned international rugby personalities into the boxing ring for the first time in an amateur black-tie fight night between hemispheres – North vs South, in the name of tragically injured South African triathlete Richard Holland (Backonyourbike.com).
Fighting Chance Dubai presents black-tie glamour mixed with the raw, white hot atmosphere of a world class boxing event. After 14 weeks of intensive training, twelve legendary sporting personalities will enter the boxing ring in a battle for pride, honour and ultimately to determine which hemisphere is best.
International rugby stars, including Shane Williams, Bolla Conradie, Adam Hollioake and Carlos Spencer, will be fighting in an effort to raise awareness and funds for BackOnYourBike (backonyourbike.com), a fund for injured South African triathlete and IronMan Richard Holland who remains in a “locked-in” state seven months after being hit by a car in Dubai in October 2012. Holland, 30, was training for an Ironman event when he was struck by a car in Dubai and sustained multiple life threatening injuries including a severe brain stem injury, which has left him unable to move or communicate. Holland is being treated at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre in Mitchells Plain. His family have set up an independent fund, BackonYourBike.com, to raise funds for his lifetime recovery.
The weekend line up of activities will kick off with the chance to get up close and personal with some of the legendary rugby stars with a pre-fight training session open to the public to be held on Wednesday 22nd May from 6.30pm at Cuba bar, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa Dubai. This will be followed on the 23rd May by one of boxing’s iconic traditions, a weigh-in event with the fighters accompanied by a long lunch. Tickets will cost AED300 per person and the event will take place from 1pm at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa.
The black-tie gala dinner fight night is to be held at Dubai Sports City, UAE on Friday 24th May with tickets starting from AED1,000. The main event includes a mix of UAE local amateur boxers and international rugby legends. The big event will see a battle between Southern Hemisphere versus Northern Hemisphere with Shane Williams and Bolla Conradie; and Adam Hollioake and the New Zealand icon Carlos Spencer.
Schedule of events:
May 22: Training session – 6.30pm Cuba Bar, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa
May 23: Long Lunch & Fighters Weigh In – 1pm, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa
May 24: Fighting Chance main event – 6pm, Dubai Sports City
Boxing Fights Line-Up (May 24th 6pm onwards):
Epi Taione (Tonga) vs Lee Radford (Great Britain)
Shane Byrne (Ireland) vs Brian Lima (Samoa)
Sean Long (England) vs Conrad Jantjes (SA)
Non Evans (Wales) vs Avril Mathie (Australia/ Swiss)
Main event:
Bolla Conradie (SA) vs Shane Williams (Wales)
Adam Hollioake (England) vs Carlos Spencer (NZ)
Tickets for the events can be purchased through organizer John Mamea-Wilson on 050 8463588 or fightingchancedubai@gmail.com
For more information on Richard Holland and Back on Your Bike, how you can participate, or donate visit: www.backonyourbike.com.
