The inaugural "Southern Showdown" charity boxing match will feature up to 10 bouts involving novice pugilists who have never before laced on gloves.
The 32 potential contestants have been training in a "Boot Camp" for the past two months in a bid to be selected for the main event at the Lion Foundation Arena on July 14.
"None of them have been in the ring before. They are all ordinary people and it's an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and do something different under controlled conditions in a safe environment," promoter Doug Kamo said yesterday.
"There have been a few sore bodies, but they're going really well. A lot of them have very personal reasons for doing it."
Potential contestants include Dunedin police sergeant Matt Scoles, premier rugby players Charlie O'Connell, of Taieri, and Dale Jarden, of Varsity, Otago Daily Times circulation manager James Smith and More FM announcer Damian Newell.
For Sgt Scoles, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to his father, former New Zealand title and Jamieson Belt holder Steve Scoles, who was killed in a car crash when Sgt Scoles was 3 years old.
"It's really nice to be involved in something in which my dad was so well thought of. I've grown up looking at his photo albums and I'm loving being involved in this," he said.
"We often get the confrontation side in the police, where someone is trying to knock your block off. But, sparring is so much harder than a street brawl. I've learned a lot about myself.
"When I first got into it I thought I'd be happy just to get through 'Boot Camp'. But, I'd really love to make the 20 now.
"It would mean a lot to me."
New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy trainer Ryan Henry said he was impressed with the group.
"They're all flying really well.
"It's the first time this has happened in Dunedin and I think it's brilliant. Boxing is quite a mental sport. It makes you a better person mentally and physically."
The successful contestants and match-ups will be announced at a Crown Casino function on May 10.
