A FIGHT night featuring policemen and salesmen arrives in Wallingford for a one-off fundraising bout next weekend.

South Moreton Boxing Club is hosting the Christmas Cracker Rumble at The Regal VI in aid of Warborough charity Footsteps Foundation, which provides intensive physiotherapy to children with neurological disorders.

Former British heavyweight champion Julius Francis, who fought Mike Tyson in 2000, and boxing promoter Frank Maloney will be special guests at the event next Saturday.

South Moreton Boxing Club is the only one in the county to offer white collar boxing, which features fighters with little or no experience who hail from ‘white collar’ jobs. More than 500 spectators are expected to watch the 20 boxers compete in 10 fights, each comprising three two-minute rounds.

John Houston, organiser and head coach at the boxing club, said: “This is going to be our biggest and best white collar charity boxing event to date.

“Many white collar boxers only train for fitness and never set foot in the ring, but these boys are determined to raise money for such a worthy cause.

“It’s a bit of Vegas in Wallingford, for one night only.

“Safety is a priority, but there are some really explosive bouts coming up on the night.

The guys have all trained so hard for this.”

A club spokesman added: “The boxers come from a variety of backgrounds including a recruitment agent, policeman, builder, psychiatrist, biochemist and salesman.

“Some will be boxing for the first time in front of a live audience.”

Footsteps founder Pip Hoyer Millar said: “We are delighted the boxing club is helping to raise money for the foundation.

“Every child deserves to be able to fulfil their true full physical, cognitive and developmental potential, and the vulnerable children that come to us need intensive physiotherapy to do this.

“The more we can do for these children at as young an age as possible, the greater the difference we can make.”

The boxing club is asking for donations from local businesses of prizes for an auction which aims to raise additional money for the disabled children helped by Footsteps.

Doors open at 6.30pm, and boxing starts at 7.30pm.

For tickets, which cost £25 to £35, call 07981 328326 or go to southmoreton boxingclub.com