‘City-boys’ take on East London fighters at charity night of white-collar boxing

THE East End hosts a night of white-collar boxing this month, with ‘city-boys’ trading punches with local fighters and stars from sport and film looking on from the ring-side.

‘The Swing’ event on October 21 will see The Troxy venue, an art-deco Grade II listed building in Commercial Road, restored to its former glory in 1950s d�cor before a series of boxing bouts, including a top-bill fight between former Scottish amateur heavyweight champion Kevin Ritchie and The Football Factory and Gangster No. 1 actor Tony Denham.

Amy Winehouse’s father and former cab driver, Mitch Winehouse, who grew up watching movies at the venue, will perform swing and jazz standards in the ring on the night while Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Frank Harper will act as host.

Former boxer Naseem Hamed and actors Danny Dyer, born in Canning Town, and former EastEnders actor Craig Fairbrass, born in Mile End, have reportedly already booked ringside tables for the event, expected to draw a 1,000 plus crowd, with tickets costing between �30 and �120.

A charity auction will also be held to support three east London charities; the Factory East boxing club in Bow; Dance Aid who hold dance education courses at West Ham and Milwall football clubs and Rathbone, a training charity with a centre in Hackney.

‘City-boys’ ditching their suits for boxing gloves include Liam Tarf, 27, of Bow, a claims broker with Miller Insurance Services and Kevin Carlier, 55, of Bermondsey, an insurance broker with AON.

They could be matched against East London fighters including Freddie Walsh from Stepney and Jase ‘The Face’ Martin from Hackney.

Other acts performing on the night include Hackney soul singer A.L. and band Bebe and Paolo.

To book tickets call 07784 041 520 or visit the-swing.net.