Fighting for Good Causes
Phil Costigan (right) with trainer Warren "Pretty Pads" Glenn sponsored by boxraw.
One of our senior partners swapped his law books for boxing gloves after stepping into the ring with an opponent 30 years his junior to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Phil Costigan, aged 63, recently took to the ring in front of over 2,000 people at the Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at Stoneleigh Park to contribute £700 to the event's £30,000 fundraising for Cancer Research UK. The event saw 84 men and women compete in all.
UWCB is the fastest growing corporate contact sport in the UK, and puts amateur boxers up against each other who are matched on ability, fitness, and weight. Participants are also required to wear protective head gear when they compete.
After three years of weekly boxing training at Red Corner Gym, in Walsgrave Road, Phil decided to enter the tournament and underwent eight weeks of intense preparation for the event at Toe-2-Toe Gym on Burnsall Road.
The training covers everything from developing a boxing stance to shadow boxing and short bursts of exercise to improve stamina for two-minute boxing rounds.
Due to Phil's solid experience, he was put up against someone from outside the Coventry group, who was much younger than him, and had some previous experience of this event.
Phil's match went all the way, taking in three two-minute rounds and ended in a draw.
Phil said: "When I first saw my opponent on the day I began to wonder what I had let myself in for, so I was dead chuffed with the result.
"We were well-matched and it was a fantastic, adrenalin-fuelled experience that I wouldn't have missed for the world. We both ended up in the bar afterwards having a drink together.
"I've also been able to raise money for a cause that means a lot to me as my mum had cancer, so to know that I've made a difference and contributed to a big fundraising total is fantastic.
"I can't thank my trainer Warren "Pretty Pads" Glenn and his colleagues at Red Corner enough for getting me to the point where I felt able to do this, and teaching me to keep my hands up.
"Leighton Brady at Toe-2-Toe Gym was also great with me through my eight weeks of training, so I'd like to thank him for his hard work and patience, but I'm more than happy to leave the squat jumps alone now.
"I'd definitely recommend giving it a go as it's a win-win for everybody who takes part, while the training gets you into shape and you get to make a difference to a great cause.
Among Phil's supporters on the night were colleagues at Coventry law firm Band Hatton Button where he is senior partner.
Mark Moseley, managing director at Band Hatton Button, added: "We're extremely proud of Phil's efforts and bravery for stepping into the ring, and all of the team here has supported him with donations or moral support on the night."
The next Ultra White Collar Boxing event at Stoneleigh Park for men and women is on Saturday, December 17 - for more information visit www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/coventry