Fundraising fighters ready to rumble

After 17 weeks of training, sparring and constant ''attention'' from their trainers, the fighters in Dunedin's Southern Showdown will step inside the ring tonight at the Edgar Centre.

Twenty-two Dunedin hopefuls have gone through a special training programme leading up to tonight's event in aid of the Otago Community Hospice. Last night the nervous contenders met inside the ring for one last friendly time.

The contestants are (back row from left) Anna Esquilant, Eldon Clifton (trainer), Sonia McGregor, Nick Eathorne, Richard Anderson, Andrew Fraser, Grant Williams, Saul Ross, Phil Todd, Hamish McDonald, Tama Walker, Wayne Griffiths, Karl Sefton, Ryan Henry (trainer) and (front from left) Marnie Sime, Suzanne Edington, Megan Morris, Leah Hanan, Amiee Edwards, Tina Stevens, Robert Stout, Stuart Henderson and Mark McHutchon.