EXCLUSIVE: Meet the ‘Fight Night’ fighters of 2022

They’ll be celebrating at Revs after

2 years ago

Fight Night is back, one of the biggest events in the student calendar with the best after party happening at Revs (Hello, £1 drinks). It’s also an opportunity to pose for our ‘Best dressed at Fight Night’ piece. However, if you’re one of the unlucky ones who didn’t score themselves a ticket, we’re here to deliver all the important information on the fighters present (Someone’s favourite meal deal says a lot about them as a person – and as a winner).

Bear Pearse, second year, Economics

What made you sign up to fight?

“Zach Beresford pulled out as he was too scared so I thought it’d be fun to replace him.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Red Red Wine – UB40.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Eat lots of eggs.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“His previous three years of boxing experience won’t be enough for him.” Eggs are key in being a winner.

What is your meal deal order?

Egg and cress sandwich, scotch egg, and a sparkling water. (Eggs, eggs and more eggs.)

Cara “Cazman” McEwen

What made you sign up to fight?

“I signed up for fight night as a way to try something new and to get fitter.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Can’t stop – red hot chilli peppers.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“I don’t know what I’ll do to ease my nerves, probably get a pep talk from the coaches and my friends.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Before the fight I would tell my competitor not to underestimate me.”

What is your meal deal order?

Duck wrap, walkers ready salted crisps, and a Diet Coke.

Darren ‘Dynamite’ Davey, second year, Sports and exercise science

What made you sign up to fight?

“I watched Creed once and the second after I signed up.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Kung fu fighting.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“I’ll pretend everyone’s naked.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“If I lose, I wasn’t actually trying.”

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken, Bacon and Ketchup sandwich, “change my snack all the time”, and a Lemon Iced Tea.

Dominic ‘The Imprint’ Williams, forth year (Masters), Marketing

What made you sign up to fight?

“I grew up watching boxing so thought it’d be good to test myself and it’d be a great experience.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Jump around by House of Pain.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Warm up and listen to some music.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Let’s put on a show.”

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken and Bacon Sandwich, Flame Grilled McCoy’s, and Orange Lucozade.

Ed ‘the Brazilian brusier’ Butler, first year, Urban planning and development

What made you sign up to fight?

“I signed up because I’ve always loved watching boxing and other combat sports, I now wanted to test myself in the ring.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

War mode – Bugzy Malone.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“I know that I’ve trained so hard and sacrificed so much that I feel I’m prepared, and having this in my mind will definitely ease my nerves.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Good luck, you’ll need it.” Confident or just cocky?

What is your meal deal order?

Ham and cheese sandwich, fridge raiders, and a protein shake.

Georgia ‘the Brummie bruiser’ Glenn, third year, English Literature with Creative Writing

What made you sign up to fight?

“I was drunk at the last fight night and thought it would be a really good idea… Bit of a shock when I got the text to say I’d been picked.” Drunk decisions for the win.

What song best describes your fighting style?

War by ArrDee & Aitch,

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“I’ve got a hype playlist that I’ll blast through my headphones and keep my head in the zone by not looking at my friends and family as they make me more nervous.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Please don’t knock my contact lenses out.” This may just be the reason most people don’t sign up to fight. You need to be able to see the other person in order to win, right?

What is your meal deal order?

All day breakfast sandwich, a brownie or cake, and a Naked blue smoothie.

Hattie ‘Big Batty Hattie’ Gough, third year, Chemistry

What made you sign up to fight?

“To be honest I’ve wanted to fight since first year but I never had the gumption until this year. All my friends would not leave me alone until I applied, and they all believe in me so I just had to do it. I know with them behind me I have a good fighting chance.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Wu tang clan ain’t nothing to F’ with.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“The only thing I know that calms my nerves is my friends and deep breaths so I’ll be chilling with all my best mates and working on my breathing. I’ll probably invision winning the fight too in my head, throwing out all my combos before the fight.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“I might be smaller but size definitely doesn’t matter, it’s my head space that will get me my winning belt. I don’t know about you guys, but I’d much rather take on a dog rather than a scorpion.”

What is your meal deal order?

Hoisin duck wrap, a packet of salt and vinegar squares, and a cold Diet Coke. “But only when I can’t get my hands on a McDonald’s cheese burger.” Maccies all the way, can’t fault her for that.

Henry ‘Jungle Is’ Massey, third year, Business Economics

What made you sign up to fight?

“Needed to sort my chassis out after I caught a glimpse of my post silly season rig.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Oofway Ascends – Hans Zimmer

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Listen to some tuna sandwiches and spin a yarn with the boys”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“If I was an egg, you wouldn’t be having any breakfast – because I don’t crack.”

What is your meal deal order?

“Just Ham” sandwich, ready salted crisps, and a cold bottle of Buxton still. (We’ll let you make your own decisions about this meal deal order).

Sam ‘the squelch’ Welsh, second year, Politics and Economics

What made you sign up to fight?

“Fancied a new challenge and wanted to get fit.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Club Foot by Kasabian.

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Gonna just relax , talk to my mates and play some chill music.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Hope it’s a good fight, may the best man win.”

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken and stuffing sandwich, salt and vinegar walkers crisps, and an Innocent smoothie

Samuel Preece

What made you sign up to fight?

“Always been a fan of boxing and not shy of a challenge, so what’s the worst that could happen.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

“Gotta be a classic like Eye of the Tiger.”

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Take it all in, big crowd is more reason to give 110 per cent.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“I’ve got to know my competitor a bit over the training sessions so just wishing him all the best and big respect regardless of the result.” Kinda wholesome, isn’t it? Or just a trick to get us rooting for him?

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken Wrap, a pack of Sensations and a Naked Smoothie. (Sensations are the way to go, to be fair.)

Will ‘The Reverend’ Monks

What made you sign up to fight?

“Thought it would be a good laugh, never done anything like it before so I wanted to try it.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Mama said knock you out – by LL cool J

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Watch the other fights with my mates.”

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Did you know that according to the theory of aerodynamics and as may well be demonstrated by means of a wind tunnel, the bumble shouldn’t be able to fly. Because of its size, weight, and shape in relation to its total wingspan, flight should be impossible. However, the bumblebee, being unaware of these scientific facts but possessing considerable determination, does fly and makes a little honey too.” You learn something new every day, don’t you?

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken, Bacon and Stuffing sandwich, BBQ hula hoops, and a Lucazade Sport,

Will ‘the moleman’ Holman, forth year (Masters), Civil Engineering

What made you sign up to fight?

“For the boys pretty much. Few mates always wanted me to do it, cool to give them a good night. Also an excuse to get my sisters and brothers from home all down and together as it doesn’t happen very often anymore.”

What song best describes your fighting style?

Highway to hell – ac/d

What are you going to do to ease your nerves before the big fight?

“Double voddy and red bull.” We’re praying you’re not a lightweight.

What do you want to tell your competitor before the fight?

“Highway to hell time.”

What is your meal deal order?

Chicken club triple, sensations crisps, and a coconut water.

Unfortunately, not all of the fighters were able to get back to us in time. Reasons could potentially range from being busy and preparing for the fight to, what we probably believe is the likely reason, a sad meal deal choice that would make everyone take a second look at them.