A BUSINESSMAN from Bournemouth is swapping his suit and tie for helmet and gloves for a charity boxing match.

The Ultra White Collar Boxing event will be stopping off at Bournemouth as part of its national tour.

Rufus Fidgeon, 32, is a regional director at Churchill Contract Services in Bournemouth. Having always been a keen gym enthusiast, the challenge of becoming a boxer, was all too appealing.

He said: “I’m pretty active out of work. I love going to the gym and really chuck myself in the deep end.

“Training for this event definitely requires a lot of effort.”

Ultra White Collar Boxing offers an intensive eight-week training schedule, where volunteer boxing professionals offer their training to anyone that wants to get involved.

No prior training is needed whatsoever.

Individuals must train twice a week with one hour sessions, to prepare for their big fight, with an audience of over 800.

With around 40 people training for the Bournemouth event, each individual has the task of raising money through a Just Giving page and ensuring all their friends and family come to watch. Rufus has managed to raise £500 already for Cancer Research, with an aim to double that.

“The charity itself is one that is close to me,” he said.

“I’ve seen friends and family who have had to deal with the disease, there’s been some who have made it and some who haven’t.

“Some of my friends think I’m crazy for doing this, but then I remember this fight is nothing in comparison to those who have to fight cancer.”

Along with his busy work schedule, Rufus trains twice a week at the Phoenix MMA Gym in Winton, enduring gruelling one hour sessions.

This is the compulsory schedule for any participant, but some, like Rufus, train as well on the side. “It’s not about winning or losing, my main thing is to know that I have put every bit of effort I could into it. Then if I lose, at least I know I lost trying” he said.

“I am excited; I just hope I remember what I have been taught, so I don’t look ridiculous in the ring.”

The Ultra White Collar Boxing Event is at the BIC on November 29.

Tickets still available at ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk