BOXERS from the county’s talent pool who are set to battle in the ring tomorrow are being cheered on by a troupe of famous faces.

Geordie-duo Ant and Dec are among the celebrities rooting for sporting stars at Oxford’s white-collar boxing extravaganza.

The black tie event, dubbed ‘Stamina, The Return’, will see a 24-strong team of fighters battle it out to raise cash for a new home for the city’s boxers.

Kieran Davis, one of the event organisers, said: “It’s literally the biggest boxing event there is [in Oxford]. Some of these guys have had a hard upbringing and background. [The event] is for the community.”

The 28-year-old, who is owner of club Stamina, currently trains boxers from across Oxford at Sandy lane’s former greyhound track.

But the Blackbird Leys resident is hoping cash pooled together from tomorrow’s festivities at the Kassam Stadium will help find a permanent base for his boxers.

Professional boxer David Haye and Reading FC player Gareth McCleary have both lent their support towards the boxing bash.

National treasures Ant and Dec also whipped up a supportive message for Mr Davis, wishing the boxers ‘the best of luck’ in the ring.

Mr Davis, who has organised the shindig with Adrian Prescott, said: “[My hard work] is paying off because when I get credited and people are rewarding me, it’s better than money to me. This is purely passion. It makes me work harder, it pushes me.”

White-collar boxing involves people with no experience training up for at least 10 weeks before slipping into the ring.

The Oxford City Council highways engineer said his passion for the sport kept him focussed as a youngster when his friends were dabbling in drugs or getting thrown behind bars.

He now hopes to promote boxing among ‘naughty’ youngsters, who would benefit from discipline and regular training to help ‘control’ their anger.

Mr Davis, who has been boxing since he was six, added: “I don’t want to see people go down that bad road like my friends did. I want them to follow my footsteps.

“That’s what I want to bring to the kids in the future who come to Stamina. They can have all this, they just have to work hard.”

More than 700 people are expected to pop along to the boxing bash, which will take place from 7:30pm until midnight.

The £25 tickets can be bought online at skiddle.com/whats-on/Oxford/Kassam-Stadium/Stamina-The-Return/12918065/