Chiefs show their support at corporate fight night

The second Corporate Gloves fight night at the Claudelands event centre showcased yet another knockout evening.

Crowds filled the arena and dressed to the nines as 22 corporate boxers put their 12 weeks of intense training to the test.

Blood, sweat and celebrities filled the ring as Chiefs captain and All Black Liam Messam and his fellow team mates Tim Nanai-Williams, Augustine Pulu and Ben Tameifuna became corner men for the boxers.

“It was awesome it was a good turnout, a lot of people jumped in the ring for the first time and they looked like the enjoyed themselves,” Messam said.

For Messam the night was about his other love. “I love boxing, it’s my other passion apart from rugby.

“It’s something that really keeps me fit and keeps my discipline as well. It’s just something I really enjoy,” he said.

“All in all I thought it was a bloody good night.”

Simon Briggs, manager for Corporate Gloves, said the night was a great success. “We’re really pleased with the night. The charity seems to be really happy and the crowd really got behind all the fighters tonight and that’s what we wanted,” he said.

Eleven bouts were fought by the two teams, Red and Blue. By the end of the 10^th fight, the scores were tied, before Red won the final bout to win 6-5 overall.

Halfback Augustine Pulu stepped out of his comfort zone, taking the corner in the ring for the Red team.

 “We just tried to be as supportive as we could, you don’t really know what to say and it’s not our thing so we try our best to be there for the guys.”

 “It was a great night, and it takes real guts,” Pulu said.

The fight night also included a charity auction which raised funds for the Dream Chaser foundation.

The auction included a meet and greet with the Warriors, signed Chiefs jerseys, signed Silver Fern shirts, Mother’s Day hampers and more.