Variety Celebrity Boxing Challenge: When celebrities attack

Top-notch celebs who would see the fun in the event were approached and 60 valiant heroes jumped at the chance to display their mental and athletic prowess in the boxing ring.

Thirty of these very courageous contenders are already in training with world renowned trainer, Nick Durandt. In the meantime, their 30 Celebrity Managers are preparing for the pre-bout verbal warmup. The contestants will wear gloves which are heavier than those in normal matches, as well as head protection and full boxing gear. Real referees and real judges from Boxing SA and real doctors will be on hand to handle injuries. Each bout will consist of three two-minute rounds with one-minute breaks - 15 bouts in all. Additional entertainment will consist of a sparring match between world champions Hawk Makepula and Silence Mabuza.

Says Executive Director of Variety Children's Charity, Toni Gomes, "Even if they're not all heavyweights in the ring, the celebrity bouts could be as vicious as the real ones. Therefore those involved must prove themselves to be fighting fit before the bouts take place, but we can confirm that they are all in training."

Variety is the largest international children´s charity in the world which raises funds through events. In this way, the public do not feel pressured into donating but feel that they are receiving a return on their investment. All income from ticket sales from the Celebrity Boxing Challenge will accrue to the Variety "Water for Schools" project in the Limpopo Province.

Some of the contenders had the following to say:

Popular Top Billing Presenter Tumisho Masho: "Giving to a children's charity is always worth fighting for."

Funnyman Tsepo Mogale about his Manager Kagiso Lediga: "The pressure! He wants blood, which I find quite alarming."

94.7 Hottie Julio Garcia: "I love boxing and when asked to knock someone out for charity, of course I said yes."

702's Madcap Leigh Bennie: "Life is not always the party it's meant to be, but while we are here, we might as well bounce."

Tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event can be purchased from Computicket or Shoprite and Checkers. Prices range from R36 to R106 depending on seating. Visit www.varietyclub.co.za to find out how you, a member of the public, can become a Cornerman assisting a Celebrity Boxer and Manager.


CELEBRITY PARTICIPANTS

Sex	Name	Celebrity
M	Juilo Garcia	94.7 DJ
M	Brandon Auret	Dup on Isidingo
M	Emmanual Castis	Steve on Isidingo
F	Kim Engelbrecht	Lolly on Isidingo
M	Mark Batchelor	Soccer
M	Tumisho Masha	Top Billing Presenter
F	Mpho Maboi	YFM News reader
F	Lee Kasumba	YFM DJ
M	Adil More	YFM DJ
M	Sangoma	Singer - Denim
M	Baldwin	Singer - Denim
M	Gary Formato	SABC Formula 1 Presenter
M	Clint Weston	SABC Topsport
M	Jacques Terreblance	Idols - Singer
M	Tshepo Mogale	Comedian
M	Graham Richards	SABC Presenter
F	Lorcia Cooper	Charmaine on Backstage
M	Charl Timotheus	Ziggy on Backstage
M	Loyiso Mangena	Chippa on Backstage
F	Carmel Fisher	Roxanne on Backstage
M	Leroy Gopal	Duma on B/Stage
F	Pam Andrews	Frankie on B/Stage
F	Katlego Danke	Keketso on Backstage
M	Pat Cash	Kaya FM DJ
M	Ed Jordan	Kaya FM
M	Bongani Magasela	Sowetan Sports Editor
F	Mari Michael	Melissa on Backstage
F	Michelle Levin	Carmen on Backstage
M	Jason Glover	Singer
F	Leigh Bennie	Radio 702 DJ & Big Brother
M	Lucas Radebe	Soccer - to be confirmed
F	Leanne Manas	Morning Live SABC2
M	Joe Parker	Comedian - Manager
M	Ashley Dowds	M-Net Presenter
F	Bianca Le Grange	Idols Singer
F	Nazneen Leeman	Idols Singer
M	Kagiso Lediga	Comedian
M	Naas Botha	Rugby
F	Karin van der Laag	Isidingo
F	Bailey Schneider	94.7
F	Irene Bester	SABC Presenter
M	Mark Pilgrim	94.7 D.J
F	Nadine Naidoo	SABC Eastern Mosaic Pres
M	Luthuli Dlamini	Scandal
M	Dewald Reynecke	Scandal
M	Corrie Sanders	Boxer
M	Eddie Eckstein	Comedian
F	Winnie Ntshaba	Khetiwe on Generations
M	Michael Mol	Top Billing - to be confirmed
M	Nick Durandt	Boxing Trainer
M	Barney Simon	5FM
F	Leanne Rath	Isidingo & Theatre
M	Roddy Quinn	Concert Promoter
M	Buyile Mdladla	Kaya FM DJ
F	Lesego Motsepe	Lettie on Isidingo
M	Ray Mordt	Rugby
M	Alan Ford	3Talk Producer & 94.7 DJ
M	Phillip Ndou	Professional Boxer