iafrica.com?s Head of Sport, Rob Peters, lets his primal side take over as he prepares for his debut boxing bout at this month's 'Fight Night' at the Harrington Street Boxing Gym in Cape Town.

I have always loved boxing. The thought of two pugilists going toe-to-toe in the ring in an attempt to beat one another into submission has always called to my more primal side. As a kid, I watched in silent awe as the heavyweights, their massive frames belying their poise and grace, threw combinations of raw power and placement.

I often toyed with the idea of becoming one of those combatants, the thrill of the crowd cheering me on as I dance my way to the ring ? to a suitably gangsta track ? and the overwhelming explosion of joy as I raise my arms in victory (would you lose in your fantasy?).

Therefore, with the discovery of the Harrington Street Boxing Gym in Cape Town a few months back I realised that I had a means to make my dream a reality through the gym?s White Collar Boxing Events ? Fight Night!

The gym has hosted five Fight Nights since opening its doors almost three years ago, but White Collar Boxing was not what owners Ed Botha and Jan Davids had in mind when they first began. Opening the gym to the public was not even their original plan. In fact, it was not even supposed to be a gym. The story of Harrington Street Boxing Gym happened quite by chance.

The original intention was for the space to be a live music venue that Davids (owner of the Marvel Bar in Cape Town) was spearheading, but he was having difficulties securing a liquor licence. A conversation between Ed and Jan led to a decision to turn it into a boxing gym for themselves and their friends to train instead. Their friends came, who brought more friends, who, of course, told their friends about it. Before long, more trainers were needed?

Finally, the members needed a way to test their skills and thus, Fight Night was born!

Fight Night!

The majority of the members use the gym as a means to get into shape, but for others wanting to test their skills in the ring, they enter Fight Night. Contenders are given three months to train up for the bout before facing off against an opponent of similar experience, skill and weight in a bout lasting three, two-minute rounds.

You choose your fighting name, enter to the theme of your choice and do battle in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The rules are White Collar, meaning no declared winner, but the crowd generally let you know who that is anyway...

Obviously, Fight Night attracted me to the gym but more so it was the no-nonsense approach put on training. At Harrington Street you train hard. For an hour you are drilled by seasoned trainers who push you to your limits, instilling real boxing skills through pad and bag work, while ensuring you get a killer workout that leaves even the fittest members of the group gasping for breath.

The gym itself is as no-frills as the classes they offer. The training area is dominated by the ring, while the walls are lined with bags. Mats, weights, skipping ropes, gloves, head-gear and other essentials are in abundance. Everything is geared towards training. There is no juice bar, no satellite tv and no wellness centre. At Harrington Street Boxing Gym, you are there to train.

And on 4 September, I will step into the ring to fight.

  • Rob will be documenting his build-up to Fight Night right here on iafrica.com with a video column. So be sure to keep track RIGHT HERE!

  • For more information on Harrington Street Boxing Gym and Fight Night visit their website.