Back and better than ever: Meet the boys boxing in Fight Night Durham

Wilder Events’ Student Fight Night is the biggest student boxing event in all of the UK and Ireland. Every academic term, students spend six weeks in intense training to prepare to fight a fellow student in a ring, watched live by hundreds and streamed hybrid for more. In the 2023-24 academic year, £260,000 was raised for The Oddballs Foundation, its partnered charity. The Oddballs Foundation is a charity that aims to raise awareness of testicular cancer, making a difference to male health around the world and normalising discussion of such an important issue.  

We know what it’s about, we know why it’s important, but who’s involved this time? Let’s meet the boys.  

Matty Bebb v Brandon Tchoudi

Matty is a third-year finance student at Grey, representing DU hockey. He chose to do Fight Night having been to a few to see others fight, telling me its “one of the best nights of Durham”. The hardest thing for Matty is coming out of summer being “very unfit and drinking everyday”, to training so intensely. His walkout is heavy on the South African theme, with his friends cladded with flags and emblems. Matty admits his opponent is “ten kilograms heavier than me, but I still think I’m gonna destroy him, in fact I will embarrass him”. When asked what particular strengths he thinks he’s got over his opponent, he shakes his head, saying “no comment”, keeping his cards close to his chest.  

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Brandon, a Hild Bede second year studying economics is representing DU rugby. He says he decided to do Fight Night for fun and to raise money for a good cause. Even the fundraising Brandon says has been “quite funny”, just “doing a few challenges here and there”. A similar attitude taken to his walkout which he has let his housemates sort out, yet again giving little away. In regard to his opponent, he says “he’s quite small and can’t take a body shot, so I should come in bigger and stronger”. His cool is chilling, ‘”just going to focus on the fight” he says last- is he immune to the pressure?  

Perhaps the most pre-empted fight of the entire round, casted as last in the running order, these two are not sparse of their compliments (or expressions of fear) from their fellow fighters. Matty being described as “unbelievable”, “a natural” and “very keen”, Brandon being described as “a freak of nature”, “an absolute unit”, “big and strong and scary” and “he looks like he’s been carved by Zeus”, just to quote a few. When asked who they’d be afraid to fight, the boys both said nobody, if anything, they’d ‘most be afraid to fight themselves.’  

We’re all going to be waiting to see this one.  

Donate to Matty: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9-96455 

Donate to Brandon: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-round-9-51027  

Jamie Wood v Ben Granville

Jamie, a second-year sports and exercise science student from Collingwood representing CCAFC, is doing Fight Night because he wanted to challenge himself and put himself in “an uncomfortable position”. But it’s not the fighting that makes him most uncomfortable, as he tells me the hardest thing is “all the pictures and stuff, I just don’t like it, it feels so weird”. He’s left it to CCAFC to plan his walkout, with charity Movember agreements, so we can probably expect something involving KSI. Flinching in front of a spotlight, but not necessarily in front of his opponent who he thinks he’s simply “better” than. 

Ben, a St, Cuthbert’s Society business and management third year representing DU padel wanted to learn to box and enjoy the experience. He admits the hardest thing was shark tank, without a doubt it was “brutal”, but he says he “learnt a lot” from it and that’s what matters. He’s allowed his mates to organise his walkout, so he’s not confident when telling me what’s going on there. But he is confident when he says “Jamie looks like a pencil, so hopefully my weight advantage helps”. Will this “pencil” make his mark and make Ben rue his words?  

Donate to Jamie: https://givestar.io/gs/jamies-durham-fight-night  

Donate to Ben: https://givestar.io/gs/durham-student-fight-night-8514  

Ronan Curtis v Kieran Waite

Ronan, a fourth year business management student at Collingwood is representing CCRFC. Ronan says he’s doing fight night because he lost his dad and a family friend recently, which changed his motivation, making him want to do it for them. He jokes that he “thought I was in pretty good shape” before he started training, but that “staying explosive and maintaining strength” throughout a fight is incredibly difficult.  His opponent weighs a bit more than him, but he “might beat him on the technique and fitness.”

Kieran, a second year psychology student at St. Cuthbert’s Society is representing DU MMA. He says he “loves fundraisers and charity events” so was drawn to Fight Night, as he wanted to give himself a challenge to start off the new academic year. He’s loved the fitness slightly less than the fundraising, and has found it difficult when it comes to motivation and comparing himself to others. He says he “might be in for a tough fight” but is proud of his effort – his humble attitude is certainly one to respect.  

Donate to Ronan: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9-14953  

Donate to Kieran: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9

Ronan Pitt v Joe Watkiss

Ronan, a South second year studying economics with French is representing DU Gaelic football and South football. He says he’s doing fight night because “my dad won a charity boxing match, and he always goes on about it” so this might “let me hear the end of it.” Determined to prove it to his dad, he’s had to work on his fitness, which he says has been the hardest thing. He jokes he’s more nervous for the walkout than the actual fight himself, self-assured that his “height, reach, and power might be too much” for his opponent.  

Joe, a Trevelyan second year studying biochemistry is representing DU swimming. He signed up for Fight Night as a way to challenge himself, and to simply try something new. Despite being pretty comfortable in the water, the shark tank exercise has ironically been the hardest thing for him. He seems to know a lot about his opponent who he describes as “an amazing fighter” who has “more power and slightly better boxing technique”, before asserting “I’m fitter and looking forward to fighting him”.

Donate to Ronan: https://givestar.io/gs/durham-student-fight-night  

Donate to Joe: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9-35137  

Dominic Inglis-Jones v Iwan Telling

Dom, a Hild Bede second year studying music is representing Hild Bede rugby and football. He jokes that he signed up for Fight Night because he worries his mate doing DUCFS would “outshine” him, but that truthfully it is simply a great thing to do. Again, shark tank was quickly identified as the hardest part of the experience. He says he’s got a walkout plan, not at all keen to give any of away, but thinks his superior physical fitness will hold up against his opponent. 

Iwan, described by others as one of the most underrated in this round and someone who “hits like a train”, is a third-year law student representing Hatfield rugby who decided to do Fight Night after being inspired by friends who had done it before. He says the hardest thing is the dedication required in terms of time, whilst obviously needing to be your best mentally and physically. Despite this, he’s feeling confident about his fight, as he thinks he is the most aggressive fighter going into the ring this round. He thinks he’s put a lot more into actually learning boxing, and starts chuckling when remembering the TikTok video of his opponent landing a body shot on someone’s head.    

Donate to Dom: Wilder Fight Night Durham Round 9 | givestar

Donate to Iwan: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9-94252  

 Brij Sheopuri v Matt Warner

Brij, a Van Mildert second year studying business and management, representing DU cricket, decided to do Fight Night to uphold the legacy that cricket club currently has. Again, shark tank is identified as the hardest thing, and Brij jokes “getting hit for twelve minutes is not enjoyable”. But his fundraising efforts do sound enjoyable, with plans to extend them even after Fight Night when he has more time on his plate. He says he’s “feeling pretty good” about his opponent. Brij believes he’s a better boxer and more coordinated, but acknowledges his cross-country running opponent has a fitness advantage. At this point, Brij “just wants it all to be over”.  

Matt, a fourth year Collingwood mathematics student, is representing CCAFC and DU athletics and cross country. He says he wanted to challenge himself and seize a unique opportunity so signed up for Fight Night, and the hardest thing is simply learning a completely new skill which can feel “completely unnatural”. Fundraising has been good, but he admits it’s been difficult to do it alongside Movember initiatives with his other clubs. Speaking of clubs, his walkout was described as a (CCAFC) E Team Hall of Fame, which we can all look forward to. He admits him and his opponent are a good match up but thinks that fitness in the third round might be key for him.  

With the Essex roots, I’m rooting for him.  

Donate to Brij: https://givestar.io/gs/fight-night-round-9  

Donate to Matt: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9-73215 

Wilf La Fontaine Jackson v Ollie De Gentile-Williams

Wilf, a fresher studying geography at Collingwood, is representing DU cricket. He wanted to start uni off on a good routine, and also had mates in the past who have enjoyed doing Fight Night. The hardest thing has been “showing up” once you actually know what it feels like to get hit in the face, and accept that that’s simply part of getting better at boxing. He’s a bit shaky on his walkout, which is not super choreographed, but about his fight in general, he tells me “I’m confident, you’ve got to be confident.” 

Ollie, otherwise known as ‘Deeg’ is a Collingwood second year studying PPE, representing the triple threat of CCRFC, CCAFC and CCCC. He decided to do Fight Night on the excitement that his friends from across the country at other universities would come and visit, also on their encouragement to simply take part. He says he has “no deep hearted reason” like some other fighters, but that doesn’t mean he’s not invested and committed. He’s got a “more powerful punch” than his opponent and believes he is “more aggressive”, but confesses it is “not going to be easy to beat Wilf at all” as he’s a good athlete.  

Donate to Wilf: https://givestar.io/gs/wilder-fight-night-durham-round-9–23rd-november  

Donate to Ollie: https://givestar.io/gs/ollies-fight-night-for-oddballs  

Joe Baron v Neo Yeung

Joe is a Stephenson third year studying chemistry, representing DU triathlon and Stephenson hockey. He says he did fight night to “get out my comfort zone”, and even though the cardio should be very much in his comfort zone the “fitness training intensity is very hard.” He’s still hoping this cardio experience will be advantageous against his opponent in the ring. Said opponent he describes as “an enigma”, and the only fighter we did not get to speak to. So he will indeed stay an enigma for us too.  

Fundraising has got Joe “more comfortable with embarrassing myself in public” he says – but let’s hope his fight is not a situation as such.  

We weren’t able to speak to Neo, but have heard that he is a bit of a character. Tipped as the fighter most likely to not show up for the event, it feels like anything could happen with this man. Maybe he’ll pull it off on the night?

Donate to Joe: https://givestar.io/gs/joes-fight-night-fundraiser-for-the-oddballs-foundation  

Donate to Neo: https://givestar.io/gs/neo-yeungneo-yeung-durham-fight-night 

Images via Wilder Events Durham