By Seb McGrath, Fourth Year, Spanish and German, and James Glass, Fourth Year, Economics
With The Fighter’s next student fight night less than a month away, Seb McGrath and James Glass found themselves in a boxing gym for the first time, on a mission to explore the motivations, preparations, and expectations of the athletes. Two interviewees, Bailey “The Bully Boy” Vincent and Orla “Spark’er” Parker, shared what drove them to take on such a daunting challenge.
Anyone listening in on Bailey’s interview would be forgiven for assuming he has been media trained; his answers were polished, his tone self-assured, and it was clear what this event means to him. In actual fact, he has as much media training as he does boxing experience: none.
Yet what we observed in the training session at the Bristol Boxing Gym seemed to defy that too, and the talent exhibited in the ring just one month into the training programme is a testament to the work ethic of the fighters - as well as the impeccable standard of training delivered by men with biceps the circumference of my thighs.
The Bully Boy, a Second-Year Economics and Management student, explained that he welcomed the challenge that came with “throwing [himself] into it”, but commented that a burning desire to win was only half the story. Bailey’s cousin was born with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), which affects up to 1 in 150,000 babies worldwide. The condition disrupts the brain’s ability to control breathing during sleep, and, as a result, Bailey’s cousin was kept in hospital for the first six months of her life.
Thankfully, due to the exceptional care shown by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Bailey’s cousin has gone on to lead a normal life. Alongside learning a new skill, The Fighter has afforded him a way to give something back, and that he has done: his fundraiser has raised over £500 at the time of writing, having smashed the target with still a month left until the showdown. This money can help provide the respiratory support and round-the-clock monitoring that children with CCHS depend on to survive their earliest months.
In a similarly selfless fashion, Orla “Spark’er” Parker revealed that she is fighting for the charity Mind, one that campaigns for mental health to be regarded with the same seriousness as physical health. The Spark’er explained how awareness of ways to improve mental health is key, and emphasised how the training programme is a “good way to get fit”, which she linked to an improvement in her wellbeing. Indeed, any sort of challenge or ambition, especially one shared with so many like-minded people, will go a long way in promoting a happier society. Her fundraiser should raise enough to fund counselling sessions, helpline access, or community programmes.
The fighters are naturally competitive, and a (figurative) thirst for blood will be what keeps them going in the ring on the 21st November. Yet their motivations extend beyond victory. Every punch will also reflect the causes they fight for; a reminder of the spirit and commitment that resonate far beyond the final bell.
Would you step into the ring for charity?
Featured Image: Instagram/ @thefighterbristol
