This article is from page 2 of the 2006-02-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
MEN and women from County Clare are travelling in their droves to Galway to take part in a Fight Club style boxing tournament. White Collar Boxing is the brainchild of former Irish Olympian, Cathal O’Grady, who claims to have received a number of enquiries from Clare people about taking part in the Galway event.
This is only the second event of its kind to take place in Ireland, the other been staged in Dublin last year. It is designed to allow office workers a means of using up their excess energy as well as getting in touch with their primitive side.
“The philosophy is very similar to a fight club,” said Mr O’Grady. “The men are liberated mentally by the experience. Fight clubs were underground cult organisations whereas this is safe and structured. The primal attraction is very real though.”
The competitors are put through a rigorous ten week training process in which the average participant will lose a full 13lbs.
When their training is complete they each take part in a Las Vegas style boxing tournament in front of their family and friends.
Interestingly, the Galway event seems to be drawing a large response from women as well as men in the Clare area.
“We have had a number of people enquiring from Clare already,” said Mr O’Grady. “There are also a lot of women showing an interest which didn’t happen in Dublin. It seems to be something just in the West. There must be more of a spirit in the ladies out there.”
Like Fight Clubs, white collar boxing aims to improve the mental and physical health of those who take part in it.
“Our slogan is ‘when 9-to-5 is not enough,’” said Mr O’Grady. “A lot of people are stressed at work and are searching for something to identify with. This can give them a purpose to their lives again.”
Fighters use 18oz gloves and headguards for increased safety while fighters are carefully matched in age, weight and experience.
“Since it first began in 1988, there has been no reports of serious injury,” continued Mr O’Grady. “People have to go back to work the following day and they can’t do that with a black eye.
“It is very real, but well supervised.”
Training for the Galway event will take place in March with the tournament scheduled for June.
More information can be found on www.whitecollarboxing.ie.