Cheshire White Collar Boxing are holding an event in honour of Julian Churchman who sadly died earlier this year of stage 3 stomach cancer. Best friends Dave Bridgewood and Julian Churchman first met playing pool 30 years ago. The original plan was to send the Ashton based family on a once in a lifetime trip with the funds raised from the GoFundMe page, raffle and auction but unfortunately Julian lost his fight to cancer at the age of 44 before this was possible. The money raised will go to Julian’s widow and daughter.
The Event
The ‘Ultimate Challenge’ Friday March 17th and ‘Fight Night’ Saturday March 18th will still go ahead and Dave hopes it will raise awareness of stomach cancer as well as being an enjoyable event. The event will be held at Wilmslow Leisure Centre doors will open at 6:30pm with the first fight starting at 7pm there will be 10 fights per night, tickets start at £25 with ringside seats available at £35.
Julian leaves behind a 14-year-old daughter, Paige and wife Michelle. Over the years Cheshire White Collar Boxing and Cheshire Fitness have raised in excess of £110k through their online charity donations, raffles & auctions. The goal is to raise £5000 for the family. Michelle Churchman says;
“Julian was the life and soul of the family, hard-working but fun. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Especially the family”
The Ultimate Challenge is an opportunity for white collar workers to participate in a boxing match this has recently been extended to any type of worker. White Collar Boxing is open to fighters aged 18-57 years. The boxers for the March event range in age from 19 to 49 and cover a wide variety of professions: banker, director, construction workers, accountant, solicitor, barbers, recruitment, health care, leisure & fitness. White Collar Boxing is safer than traditional boxing as the gloves used are larger and there is rarely a knockout.
There are people taking part from all over the South Manchester & Cheshire area with most participants living in either Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Mobberley, Hale and Lymm. Luke Brown from Wilmslow is the youngest contender at 19 years old, and Dave Bridgewood the eldest at 49. As well as participating in a match, Dave and his wife will be in attendance on the night as medics. The referee on the night will be British featherweight champion Andy Morris Jr.
Background
Cheshire White Collar Boxing was established by ex-professional boxer Glenn Williams in 2012. They are the first local company to bring back the glitz and glamour of the original white collar boxing which originated in New York. Fights have previously taken place at Mere Golf Club, The Hilton Deansgate and The Titanic Liverpool. For many of the white collar boxers this is the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong ambition, stepping into the ring in front of their friends and family. Boxers are being trained by a wide range of coaches including Bob Shannon, former coach to Ricky Hatton.
For ticket information speak to Glenn on 07886 432658 or email kirsty@cheshirewhitecollarboxing.co.uk to find your nearest outlet. For more information, please visit their Facebook page @CheshireWhiteCollarBoxing
Of the event Glenn says;
“Once again we are proud to be hosting our event in Wilmslow. White collar boxing as a sport is bigger and better than it has ever been before. Many of our fighters have taken part in other sporting trials, but white collar boxing takes it to another level; the physical and mental strength required is immense. Stepping into the ring is one of the most adrenaline fuelled challenges these guys and girls will ever face.”
