White Collar Boxing started in New York in the Mid 1980s, when high powered executives flocked to the famed Gleason's Gym to train for fights they had arranged with each other in the boardroom. Growing rapidly, it hit UK shores as early as 1991 when event management consultant Alan Lacey, who co-promoted the Gary Stretch v Chris Eubank WBO middleweight championship bout in 1991, belatedly discovered boxing at the age of 45.

Motivated by the discipline he had gained over the following years, he began training under former European Champ Jimmy McDonnell and alongside 2 time Olympian and World title challenger Adrian Dodson, who having spent most of his youth at Gleason's in New York suggested Lacey fulfill his ambition to box, even at the age of 48, and arranged for him to visit Gleason's Gym in New York and box on one of their renowned events.

On the flight back to London with the adrenaline still rushing in his blood, Lacey had an epiphany and decided that White - Collar Boxing could flourish in London. In July 2000, the inaugural White-Collar Boxing event, in collaboration with Gleason's owner Bruce Silverglade, saw a team of Wall Street bankers fly to London to compete on "Capital Punishment" at Broadgate Arena in the City, generating massive interest and media coverage. Lacey himself boxed twice on the night and subsequently devoted his time and energy to developing the sport exclusively ever since. Over 100 sold out events have followed "Capital Punishment", including "Celebrity Boxing" on the BBC in 2003 featuring Bob Mortimer, Les Dennis, Ricky Gervais and Grant Bovey, raising over 1.5 million pounds for various charities.

Formal Fight Club is a new Northern based white collar boxing organisation. It is aiming to raise more money for the Five Star charity whilst at the same time providing a truly unique entertainment experience featuring fighters from all walks of life.

Brands, retailers, fashion businesses and groups already set to cheer on the fights are: Criminal Damage, Triple S, Evil Tongues, Red Alert, Northern Lights, Get the Label, Duffer Menswear, Henleys, OiPolloi, SuperDry, Gio-Goi, Diffusion, Ringspun, Bank, JD Sports and Pentland PLC alongside Drapers magazine and The Fashion Network.

For more information click here

If you liked this article, you may also like ... MFN and Drapers being you 'Brandchester'

Let us know what you think about this article by joining us on Twitter, direct your tweets to @TheFashionNetUK 

Recent comments...

You must be registered and logged in to post a comment.

All comments submitted on this page do not express the views of MFN, we will endeavor to remove any offensive, rude, defamatory comments.