A WHITE-COLLAR, black-tie charity boxing event organised this weekend is set to haul in excited crowds of up to 700 people to the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford's first Stamina event, organised by Blackbird Leys-born amateur fighter Kieran Davis, will see 24 newly-trained boxers battle it out in the ring on Saturday night.

All funds raised from the night, which is being supported by Oxford United, will go to the cardiology unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in memory of Botley postman Paul Warmington, who died after a heart attack in March.

Mr Davis, 28, said: "It's the biggest boxing event in Oxford and it has gone wild. It's in aid of two different things: getting the local lads off the street, and for charity.

"That's one of the reasons we put it on: to give people the opportunity to fight in front of family and friends."

White-collar boxing involves people with no prior experience training up for at least 10 weeks before getting into the ring.

The Stamina group includes people from Blackbird Leys, other parts of Oxford, Witney and Abingdon, all of whom trained for 16 weeks at the old greyhound track in Sandy Lane.

Mr Davis said: "You can come straight off the streets as long as you've had 10 weeks. It's more interesting and they are buzzing.

"One of the guys went to prison and I told him he needed to sort himself out. For the last 16 weeks he has come to training and it has absolutely focused him."

The event will also feature a disco and drinks, with ex-professional boxers attending along with Oxford United chairman Darryl Eales and MD Greig Box Turnbull.

Some tickets are still available and proceeds will be added to a £4,000 pot to buy equipment for the JR in memory of Mr Warmington, whose son Adam is a friend of Mr Davis. In August, postmen and bus drivers in Oxford took on an 18-mile bike ride in fancy dress for the same cause.

Adam Warmington, 26, said: "We are well over what we planned to raise so are trying to give it a final push. I'm really looking forward to the boxing. It's going to be big."

A handful of tickets are still available at £25 each.

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