Before I came to university, if someone had told me I would willingly get into a ring for a boxing match after only 7 weeks of training, I would’ve looked at them like they were delusional. I still thought it was ludicrous of me to sign up for Brighton’s 6th Round of Fight Night, but nevertheless, there was a part of me encouraging me to do so for a good cause.
I signed up at first on impulse, but after getting in and going to the first training (which had me WHEEZING), even being decently athletic, running laps in a hot gym and learning the basics of boxing was completely new to me. In hindsight, getting thrown in the deep end was by far the best way to get ready to step into a ring less than 2 months later and actually have my first fight.
For a bit more context, Fight Night is a nationwide event hosted at different universities by the Oddballs Foundation, known for their colourful underwear and, more importantly, for their advocacy and awareness campaigns for testicular cancer. I first heard of Fight Night through the grapevine in my first year, but didn’t attend an event until my second year, which finally convinced me to put my name down.
With many of my fellow fighters also representing either Sussex or Brighton Universities, it was nice to meet people outside my usual circles and be thrown into this charity-boxing crash course together. Training at the Brighton and Hove Boxing Gym, the previous home of well-known professional boxer Chris Eubank Jr., was no joke, with training running up to five times a week and a guaranteed abs circuit that tired me out incredibly. The first sparring session, about two weeks in, at 9 am Sunday morning, was definitely a punch to the face as to what I had signed up for, by literally getting punched and punching someone else for the first time in my life.
Photos: Shiqin Ong
Training progressed, and we slowly got the hang of the basics, eventually coming to the anticipation of finding out who we were fighting within the group of girls I had now become friends with. The event was quite publicised on social media, and I found myself not only stressing about just the fight but what my ring name would be, the walk out song, who would be in my corner, and even sitting on Pryzm stage in my own press conference two weeks prior which made me wish I could just get in the ring and fight then and there simply to avoid attempting to claiming I would win with a swagger I definitely do not possess.
Eventually, when the anticipation and training intensity got to an all-time high, the night finally came. Seeing my housemates and friends all dressed up to come support was surreal, I was simultaneously excited alongside my terror. When my fight finally came, well, I can quote my friend Jess, a rugby teammate who’d also signed up with me – “Literally the biggest fever dream experience I’ve ever had – I don’t think a feeling will compare to waiting to walk out on the night… I was so overwhelmed with emotions – pride of having completed all the training and the commitment it took to make it to that point, the insane amount of adrenaline going through me, but mainly the love and support I received from my friends and family!!”
Also, in the words of a fellow fighter, sparring buddy and friend Issy, it was “one of the best experiences of my life. The training is hard, but so much fun, and allows you to meet so many new people. The night itself is unreal. Stepping into the ring and having so many people watching and supporting you is such a surreal feeling, and I don’t think anything could match it.” I can also agree with her, and I’m quite sure many who participated in our round can concur – “If anyone’s thinking about doing it, I’d say step up and do it because the hardest part of it all is having the confidence to actually sign yourself up and putting the hard work in every week. There’s no better feeling than going all the way and realising how far you’ve come and how much you’ve managed to achieve by the end of the experience.”
Fight Night, its intensity – hours in the gym, commuting to and from university, while managing university on top of everything, was one of the things I was most proud of. That and, of course, I shall reiterate, getting into the ring itself, with friends and family watching and being proud of the outcome, win or lose. I have learned not only about my ability to push myself, but also to get out of my comfort zone as an athlete in different capacities. That in which I am most proud of. In closing, big thank-yous to the Brighton Fight Night Committee and team, coaches, management, fellow fighters, and everyone else involved. Returning to Jess’s words to me – “number one tip to anyone thinking of signing up – do it!!”
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2026/02/the-brightonian-home-of-northern-soul-an-introduction/
