Fundraiser punches above its weight
Competition is heating up for Perth's notorious white-collar boxing tournament, the Royal Queensbury Corporate Challenge, with 20 brave businessmen, former beauty queens and local personalities gearing up to step into the ring next month.
As one of the key events on the annual social calendar, the black-tie showdown sells out year on year as 1200 spectators fill Crown Perth's Grand Ballroom.
But despite all the glitz and glamour, the matches are serious and event director Troy Barbagallo says it takes guts to sign up.
"It is a charity event and these people are out of their comfort zone but the fights are real," Barbagallo, who famously competed against Adultshop owner Malcolm Day in 2009, tells Access All Areas. "There is blood, sweat, tears and broken hearts."
Included in the mix this year are building magnates Adrian Zorzi and Troy Galante, 92.9 larrikins Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, and Miss Universe WA top 24 finalist Dallas Downes.
While convincing corporate citizens to compete in the championship was hard in the early years, once word spread the organisers had entrants lining up to take part.
As the event enters its seventh year, Barbagallo says the challenge is now how to decide on the best match-ups.
"We are under the guidance of WA boxing, so we have to fulfil all the amateur boxing rules," he explains.
Last year, the RQCC raised a record-breaking total of more than $300,000 for children's charity ToyBox International.
