Gloves on: City lawyers slug it out in the ring
FIVE sparring solicitors from DLA Piper, Clyde & Co and SJ Berwin have clubbed together to compete against each other in a black tie boxing bash at St Paul’s – though the tuxes will be worn by spectators, rather than our jousting lawyers.
The reason for the fisticuffs isn’t to vent anger but to raise money for the renovation of Buhinga School in Uganda. The Capitalist hears the concept of a charity boxing match was conceived on Rio’s beaches, when two of the future fighters were surrounded by muscle bound men and left contemplating their inadequacies.
Matt Totman, an associate at Baker & McKenzie, and Imran Syed, a lawyer at DLA Piper, then went to Uganda where they found visiting the school a worthwhile motivation to turn up to work every day fresh from the set of Fight Club. At Buhinga it was the kids who schooled the lawyers. But even being greeted by a group of over-enthusiastic 10-year olds – and receiving a bloody nose for their trouble – hasn’t dampened spirits.
Five months, two broken noses and multiple black eyes later they are now just one month away from getting in the ring. The Capitalist has its blood money on Ed “the Executioner” Eccles, a litigation associate at Clyde & Co. Eccles not only has previous charity boxing form, but is also a handy 6ft4 tall and weighs in at over 90 kgs.
Boxing for Buhinga takes place at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel on Saturday 24 November. Tickets and further details are available at www.universalchance.org