Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting!

The day has arrived... it's been three months in coming and one hell of a journey, and I can honestly say I will never be the same again after this! But before I go into the ring, and whether I win or lose, I want to shout out some thanks to those who made this all possible... 

That was then...

Firstly, to Cameron "Double-Trouble" Fraser-Shaw, who hastily arranged a ticket for me to go and watch him in action last October. Little did he know at the time the chain reaction that would have! And for all the advice and support he has given me since then - thank you, brother!


Secondly, to Kumar from SSE Marine Logistics, whose table it was I found myself sitting on, and who - on a whim - bid in the auction for the spot on the squad I now occupy. He welcomed me like a friend that night, and his generosity was that big push I needed to set me on this path. You are a true gentleman, Kumar, and I look forward to a dram or two of Scotch with you soon!

Next, to the whole team at Vanda Boxing who put themselves out there organising the event - Stephen and Philip in particular for putting up with my barrage of emails! And of course, the coaches... they put us through hell at times, but never once did they ever let me feel like I couldn't make it. Alexis especially, thank you for always seeming to have a positive comment just when I needed it!

...and this is now!

All my friends and family who have supported me, either by being there tonight, by donating to the charity, or just giving me your best wishes. I know that my doing this surprised most (if not all) of you, and there has been a lot of piss taking (a LOT!), but you've all had my back and kept encouraging me. Especially thanks to Molly's Malone's Table 13 crowd, for all the banter and often conflicting advice!!


My beautiful wife Joanna, who responded to my enrolement with a raised eyebrow, but who has been an absolute rock in encouraging me and supporting me (except when leaving huge amounts of chocolate in the fridge). And of course, my boys, who have no idea what's actually going on but think it's hilarious when I am shadow-boxing at home.

And then there's the squad... let's start with Jim and Jo, who I have known for many years. It was a bit of a relief to have friends in this with me from day one, and the encouragement they have given both verbally and just by going through it side by side has been invaluable. Then there's Rocco, the two Barrys (Barries?), Aman, Joe, Oli, Craig, Jesper, Canaan, James, Denis, Natasha, Geoffrey, Sam, Angela and Jon, all of who I have gotten to know to different degrees over the 13 weeks. The level of support and cameraderie I have seen within the squad has been fantastic... and I look forward to hanging out with you all in non-gym locations once the dust settles!

Dangermouse...?

Did I miss one...?

Ah, yes... my opponent, Aran. We got to know each other early on, and I'm certain we will continue a friendship afterward. He brews his own beer, for one thing! Long before we realised we would be fighting each other he was offering me words of encouragement (wonder if he's regretting that now?), and since the weigh in we have shared some cracking banter / trash-talk. Neither of us will be going easy on the other tonight, but I know we'll have good drink together once we are done... and I like the fella enough to have prepared a care-package for him, for afterwards!!

Care Package for Aran...

Well, that's it from me until the fight is over... good luck to all my fellow contenders, and to Aran let me just say - may the best Guv'nor win!