With the academic year wrapped up and campus winding down for summer, attention is already shifting to one of the biggest events of semester one, Fight Night!
With the academic year wrapped up and campus winding down for summer, attention is already shifting to one of the biggest events of semester one, Fight Night! The event will take place at Komedia on the 20th of November, and anticipation is already building. With training just commencing for the 24 confirmed fighters, we had the chance to interview a few brave students as they prepare for the challenge of a lifetime. From drunken sign-ups to standout sporting experiences, let’s peak your excitement as we get to know the fighters stepping into the ring for Fight Night 2025.
The fighters have already put some serious thought into their ring names and have been getting creative with theirs, although they may change before the main event. Among the early standouts are William “Hitman” Huntsman, Seb “The Hammer” Hughes, and Shadow, a name inspired by the famous Shadow Bullet. Whether these names stick or evolve, one thing is clear: these competitors are already walking into this experience with confidence and a clear determination to win.
Walkout music plays a key role in setting the tone on Fight Night. This year’s fighters are putting their own spin on things, with an interesting range of choices this year. Expect a diverse mix of anthems, potentially including Mamma Mia, Can’t Stop by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Sandman by Metallica and a track from Bad Bunny. Skepta’s music may also be making an appearance, as Ben hinted at using one of their songs for his entrance. It’s safe to say this year’s soundtrack will be as varied and unpredictable as the matchups themselves, which are yet to be declared.
While many fighters are newcomers to boxing, several bring a range of athletic experience from other sports, with participants this year including triathletes, swimmers, footballers, and even cricketers. Triathlete Dylan is even currently training for an Ironman, so will it be a year of mass achievement for him?
When discussing how their previous sporting experience may give them an edge in training, swimmer Ethan, who will captain the university’s competitive swim team next year, believes his stamina will give him an edge. Whereas, Footballer Dahlia believes that her cardio training has prepared her for the intense endurance boxing demands. Then there’s Albert, with over five years of boxing experience and a background in ice hockey back in Kazakhstan, who is certainly one to watch. Albert shared that his previous experience taught him how to “Read opponents and choose the tactic that works best.” With this in mind, let’s see if he can read himself to victory, or if his opponent’s tactics will be too convoluted to decipher.
Everyone steps into the ring for different reasons. For some, it was a calculated ambition; for others, a case of a drunken joke turned into a sober reality. Ethan Alpress admitted his entry was a “drunk antic”, a spontaneous decision he now feels determined to see through. Maya had been considering it since arriving at university, seeing Fight Night as a personal milestone, whilst Dahlia was encouraged by her football teammates and seized the opportunity to finally explore a sport she’d long been curious about.
When gauging if the fighters see this as a one-time try at boxing or the start of a longer-term involvement, Will described the event as a “bucket list” experience, saying it will likely be his first and last time in a boxing ring. For Ben, the goal is fitness and personal growth: “It’s hard work, but I’m determined to push through. Dahlia also stated that, “Coming into Uni, I wanted to start a fighting sport, but then with football I didn’t really have the time, so I thought it would be a good chance to learn and then if I like it continue.” When asking whether she was worried about the balance with her current sport, University and now Fight Night she told us, “I prioritise well, if i enjoy it i don’t mind spending time with it”, which is very encouraging. Ben expressed that he saw the fight night experience as a chance to “get back in shape” and acknowledges the hard work but he’s determined to push on through. This is a great outlook on what the Fight Night experience can offer, with the training and support offered.
Of course, motivation is also heavily impacted by who’s there on the night, so we know how their friends and family reacted to the news that their friend/loved one will be taking part in fight night. William said that there were “Very mixed reactions about it. My friends thought it was sick and would come for a good night out, but my girlfriend wasn’t best pleased, and my mum was like, Oh God. She probably doesn’t want to see me get punched”. Across the board it has seemed to be a common theme that the most disapproving member of the fighter’s families were their mothers, as the most fearful for their child’s safety. Albert’s mum was skeptical, because “It’s Uni and there are lots of older, stronger people” to which he replied; “Mum, I’m not a kid anymore I’ll be fine”, so let’s see how Albert’s childhood boxing experience serves his adult self in the ring.
Dahlia’s told us, “Mum’s not happy, she thinks I’m going to get hurt, but my sister is gassed for me.” Maya’s Dad, on the other hand, seemed to be experiencing some FOMO when being told that his daughter was taking part, saying, “That’s a bit of me.” I’m sure he will be cheering Maya on from the front row; however, she did admit that her friends saw her choice to fight as “unexpected and a bit rogue,” as she normally has a very calm demeanour. Fight night really does help character development, so maybe we will unlock that aggressive fighter version of Maya, but only time will tell. Dylan said his friends and family were both laughing at him. “They think I’m going to get knocked out”, compared to Will, who hasn’t told his parents yet, but his friends responded comedically, saying he will get “sparked within 30 seconds.” Safe to say, some expectations are low, so let’s hope with all the training these fighters beat their friends’ expectations and get a great result on the night.
Before the big night, we wanted to grasp the fighters’ thoughts and feelings of underestimation by their opponent, whether they would see it as a motivation factor or a bruise to their ego. Ethan reckons it will be “more of a spur you on kind of thing, if they expect less from you, you have more to prove, and I quite like the idea of being more of the underdog than the favourite.” William exclaimed, “I hope they underestimate me.” With preemptive training already underway and with the help of William’s brother back home, it’s clear he is preparing to shock his competitor.
For those of you who have participated in Fight Night before, or even been on a stage with a similar crowd, you’ll no doubt have some nervous energy and feel the pressure of all those people. We asked the fighters if they think they’d be nervous on the night and what they usually do in situations where they are particularly anxious or nervous. Dahlia and Ethan were both quite content with the prospect of a huge crowd, as they spoke about the number of people being similar to those attending the football matches and swimming competitions they participate in on a regular basis. Albert gave us something to think about in his reply with “if you’re not nervous, you’re losing”; this, coming from someone with a history of sport, might just show us that the confident fighters we have may just fall at the last hurdle. Are we in for multiple underdog stories then? You’ll have to secure a ticket to find out on the night!
Although matchups haven’t been announced yet, we asked if fighters had any messages for their soon-to-be opponents. Ben kept it simple but powerful: “Good luck, because you’re going to need it.” The two Wills gave very different answers. One joked, “See you at the after-party,” while William Huntsman delivered a more serious warning: “Be prepared. Don’t underestimate me.” Both Albert and Dahlia opted for the polite “Good luck”, but whether that’s a show of sportsmanship or quiet confidence, we’ll only find out in the ring.
As the fighters hit the gym and begin training, keep an eye out for ticket announcements and more content over on the Komedia Instagram. Fight Night 2025 promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism and a display of students pushing their boundaries further than ever before in the hunt for that taste of victory. So, pick your fighter, get your ticket, get those banners ready, and don’t miss what’s shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable nights on the University calendar!
*Photos courtesy of Komedia Fight Night