Hitting the right note
CRN Fight Night proved to be a heavyweight in the success stakes, with a smashing time had by all. Sara Yirrell reports on a thumping good event
Blood, sweat and even a few tears went into making CRN Fight Night 2012 one of the most exciting events yet.
Five years in, the boxing bash is fast becoming the must-attend event in the channel, and competition is rife for the limited tables at the venue, The Brewery in Chiswell Street, London. The evening was totally sold out.
With 16 brave fighters giving their all in the ring after three months of intense training, and raising copious amounts for charity, it is safe to say that a good night was had by all.
Guests, kitted out in full black tie and evening dress combos, were treated to a night of drama, drinking and decking, and more money was raised through a silent auction and a live auction between bouts. There was even time for a three-course meal.
Mark "The Burf" Burford, chief executive of City Boxer, which ran the event on behalf of CRN, said: "2012 is an Olympic year and it is no coincidence that we had an Olympic response from the boys and girls.
"On a technical level we probably had the best boxing event that we have ever run. A few of the fighters were outstanding from a technical standpoint and the women really went for it. They have paved the way for other ladies to ‘channel' their aggression.
"Everyone at City Boxer is very excited about 2013. We have seen real growth and improvement from the fighters in the channel."
Burf even suggested that some of the Fight Night alumni should return for a rematch.
"All the guys at the gym would like CRN in 2013 to start bringing back some of the old boys and mixing it in with some new talent. That would be a fantastic development. For me, this year CRN Fight Night was the best ever, and it can only get better."
Starting off the fights was Craig "The Boss" Johnson from Atlanta Technologies against Alan "Switch Point" Palmer from Academia (pictured, right).
The fight went to three rounds and after looking to the audience to help his decision, the referee awarded the fight to The Boss.
Second to take to the canvas were Suren "Calculated Killer" Ruthiran from Intercept IT and Insight's Tim "The Aotearoa Kid" Westbrook (pictured left).
The fight was brutal, and was stopped in the third round with The Aotearoa Kid crowned champion.
Speaking to CRN, he said: "The fight was really worth it. After three months of training it all paid off in the end and it was a really good challenge.
"The night itself was put together brilliantly and was balanced and professional, and also raised money for a good cause. We raised close to £3,500 on the night for Children with Cancer so I was really happy about that. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of taking part next year."
The final fight before dinner was between Thomas "The Tank" Knowles from HP and Steven "Cyanide from Tyneside" Mole from Wick Hill (pictured right).
The Tank proved to be a little more deadly than his children's TV theme song and the fight was stopped in the first round, despite a valiant effort from Cyanide.
Guests were served dinner of salmon, then lamb or ratatouille for main and a chocolate pudding, before the fourth fight began.
The bout (pictured left) was a special one because it was the first female fight since CRN launched Fight Night back in 2008, with "Sugar" Liz Sherwood from Computerlinks battling it out against Comstor's Sophie "Danger" Dennett.
After a full three rounds of pugilistic pleasure and some solid punching, "Sugar" Liz, whose employer had taken a whopping nine tables at the event, was declared the winner. Later in the evening she also won the Ultimate Fighter accolade, awarded by headline sponsor Mimecast.
Speaking to CRN after the fight, Sherwood said: "This was completely life-changing and something I am going to carry on doing. The support I had was fantastic. Someone said this event was not for women and should be a male event, but I think we have changed that perception now.
"I would definitely recommend it to other people. I feel healthier than I ever have and definitely have earned some respect in the industry."
Dennett said she also enjoyed the fight, but felt a little overwhelmed in the ring.
"It was really enjoyable, but it was overwhelming and I guess it took me the first round to realise what I was doing. I found it a positive experience and the challenge was definitely more mental than physical. I think other women should get involved - we need to see even more females fighting next year."
The fifth bout was between Jack "Bullet Tooth" Bulmer from Centerprise, and Dave "The Doctor" Rodger from Mimecast (pictured, right).
Despite some harsh words at the beginning in Bulmer's VT, the Mimecast fighter managed to win the day and take away the trophy.
Up next in the ring were James "Streaky" Blackman from AMD and Computacenter's Andy "The Farm Boy" Farmer (pictured, left).
It was another brutal fight, but Streaky upped the ante and managed to win the day.
Mulling over his victory with CRN, the AMD UK channel manager said: "After my fight had finished, it dawned on me that I was the oldest fighter there on the night. I really should be taking up stamp collecting rather than boxing!
"I did it to raise my and AMD's profile in the industry and from a personal point of view for the fitness. The night helped us engage with customers and it was a huge success for us. Winning made it even more special."
When asked whether he would carry on with the boxing, Blackman said: "I have never boxed before, but always said I would like to retire undefeated, so I will be hanging up my gloves."
He added that he would recommend others to get involved, but warned them not to underestimate the fitness required.
"I have run the London marathon and also a triathlon and did a lot of fitness training leading up to Fight Night, but the adrenaline combined with the nervous tension all hit me in the first round. It was exhausting."
Farmer said he would keep up with the boxing: "The whole event was well organised and a great way for people to challenge themselves. It was a huge adreneline buzz, being in front of 450 people," he said. "I've already got a couple of fights booked later this year as I've joined a white-collar boxing league. I would definitely be up for a rematch next year."
The penultimate fight was between Micro-P's Simon "The Bulldozer" Barnard and Wayne "Chuck Norris cuts my Lawn" Trunchion from Krome Technologies (pictured, right).
It was another tough fight, but "Chuck Norris Cuts my Lawn" just edged it. (Geddit?)
As the referee was making his decision, in a touching tribute to his mum, who died from cancer, Barnard changed into a T-shirt which said "God bless you, Mum" on the front.
Speaking to CRN after the event, he said: "I think the night was superb and I had some fantastic support on my table. I would definitely do it again and am well up for a rematch. Burf and the guys did a great job. It was the first time I had attended Fight Night and I ended up in the ring and I have raised £900 so far for charity. The headache the next day was worth it."
Krome's Trunchion said: "CRN Fight Night was an incredible experience, the night itself is something that will stay with me forever. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up, but everything from the training through to the event itself was incredibly well organised and thoroughly enjoyable. Taking part was a huge challenge, with a very steep learning curve. I would like to thank everyone at City Boxer for their advice and experience. Winning my fight, and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, made all the gruelling training sessions worthwhile."
The final fight of the evening was a barnstormer, with heavyweights Seb "Hurt Locker" Hemmings from Comms-care against Tunji "Powerhouse" Oyedele from Orange Information Systems (pictured, left).
After three pounding rounds, the fight was awarded to Hemmings, although the decision was not without controversy.
Oyedele, who is getting married next week, said he thought the fact he was wearing a blue headguard may have confused some people who thought they had voted for him.
"A lot of people said after the fight they didn't understand how I lost, but I can only think it was because my blue headguard confused people.
"However, it was a great experience and although I am sad I didn't win, I'm very pleased I took part. I managed to keep my face injury free, which my fiancée was pleased about.
"It was a long wait until the last fight, but the atmosphere was fantastic and having more than 350 people watching you fight meant loads of people came up to me afterwards. I felt like I had a fan base!
"I'm very happy to come out of it unscathed and would definitely recommend it."
As the crowds dispersed and headed for the aftershow party at Beduin Bar in Smithfield, Nessa Lynchehaun, channel director from headline sponsor Mimecast, heaped praise on the event.
"We have had amazing feedback, particularly as we held our channel awards ceremony that afternoon and they really went well together. We are already planning the same for next year. Nobody else is getting a look in!
"The whole experience was fantastic and it was a phenomenal night. We are looking forward to 2013."