Meet the fighters of MT’s Cardiff Fight Night 2023

‘It’s been a very boring, sober and celibate few weeks’

1 year ago | UPDATED 1 year ago

Cardiff’s iconic Fight Night, which is run by Move Together, is back for its 10th edition and it is one of the most important events of the year for any Cardiff Uni or Cardiff Met student.

Not only will there be boxing, but the event is also followed by an afterparty in the much-loved Revs, where £1 drinks will be once more making an appearance.

But let’s forget the drinks for a moment as The Tab Cardiff has got all the crucial information about the fighters that you’ve been gagging to know.

Alex Darling, 20, Cardiff Uni, Chemistry, Third Year

Alex wanted to sign up to try something different to see how far he could push himself. Before the fight, he wants his competitor to know that he’s coming for the KO so he hopes that you’re ready for a beating.

Alex’s motto is “Carpe Diem” which means “Seize the day”.

He says his fighting style is definitely most like Mike Tyson’s. To train, he’s been shadowing boxing with his housemate/trainer Callum.

When the fight is over, the first thing Alex is going to do is crack into a bottle of wine. His favourite VK is blue.

Emma Hill, 21, Cardiff Uni, Law, Third Year

Emma signed up for Fight Night to put herself out of her comfort zone and see how hard she can push herself. To train, Emma has been keeping up her fitness and building strength. After the fight, the first thing Emma is going to be reaching for is the wine, although her favourite VK flavour is strawberry.

Ethan Badcock, 21, Cardiff Met, Sports Management, Third Year

Ethan signed up for Fight Night because he said it is a good challenge for him. Although there’s nothing in particular he has been doing to train, he says his fighting style is most like Manny Pacquiao. He says his boyfriend Gabe Mead is his good luck charm.

Ethan’s favourite VK is orange, but after the fight, he will “eat a bottle of vodka.”

Finn Seale, 21, Cardiff Uni, Architectural Engineering, Second Year

Finn signed up for Fight Night because he: “Fancied dropping a few kgs in time for summer and I heard it was a good laugh.”

He compared his fighting style to a BTEC Tyson Fury and his message to his competitor is: “Make me look pretty”.

To train for the match he has been doing a lot of skipping and weight sessions but after the fight, Finn will go for a chicken dinner wrap with garlic sauce – however he has said he will take whatever people give him.

Finn’s favourite VK is blue and his good luck charm for the fight will be his gum shield.

Harry Lyon, 22, Cardiff Met, Sport Science, Fourth Year

Harry signed up for Fight Night for the experience. To prepare he has been doing lots of running and eating clean. He says a strength of his fighting style is that he’s resilient in the ring and throws a hard punch.

Harry wants to say to his competitor that silence is the best form of intimidation. Although he doesn’t have a motto, he says he’s doing it for the sense of achievement.

After the fight, he will drink the first alcoholic drink that gets put in front of him but he hates all VK flavours, so no one buy Harry a VK.

Jake Harper, 20, Cardiff University, Computer Science, Second Year

Jake signed up because Fight Night sounded like a good bit of fun and was something different. He says he has a very neat technique and to prepare changed his gym programme to a boxing weight programme.

His favourite VK is orange all the way, and after the fight he’s going to drink lots of vodka.

Before the fight, Jake wants to tell his opponent: “Let’s make it a good, entertaining fight.”

Johnny Castleton, 20, Cardiff Uni, Business Management, Second Year

Johnny has always wanted to try boxing, so signed up for the fight. His biggest strength in his boxing style is his jab. To train, he has been going to boxing and the gym whilst also going for runs.

Johnny’s first drink after the fight is going to be a Guinness, followed by vodka. He wants to let his competitor know: “Good luck.”

Josh Francis, 22, Cardiff Uni, Data Science and Analytics, Fourth Year

To train, Josh has not only stayed sober, but also remained celibate.

Josh has mates who have done previous Fight Nights so thought he would also push himself to sign up. Over the past few weeks, he has learnt that he can take a few powerful punches and also dish out his own.

Josh wants to let his opponent know: “It’s all shits and gigs until someone giggles and shits.”

His first drink after the match is going to be a cheeky snakebite. Josh’s favourite VK is orange and he doesn’t care if it’s basic, everyone knows it is the best.

Lily McConnell-Duff, 21, Cardiff Uni, English Language, Third Year

Lily signed up because she said for the last two years at uni she has wanted to do it, so signed up before she left. A strength in Lily’s fighting style is her height and long arms which can keep her opponent at a distance.

Lily’s favourite VK is blue but her first drink will be the free vodka after the fight.

For good luck, Lily will wear the Creed perfume her boyfriend bought her. She wishes to let her opponent know: “Get ready for a good show.”

Lucy Rees, 20, Cardiff Uni, Law and Criminology, Second Year

Lucy signed up for Fight Night because she thought it would be a laugh. A strength of hers is her long arms and she has been going on runs to keep up her fitness whilst also attending as many training sessions as possible.

Her good luck charms are her best friends who she named as Chloe Spiller, Olivia Newton and Amelia Johnston.

Her favourite VK is the orange one and after the fight, she’s going straight for a fat kebab and a bottle of Prosecco. Lucy’s message to her competitor? “May the best girl win.”

Molly ‘The Welsh Weapon’ Ridge, 19, Cardiff Uni, Biomedical Science, Second Year

Molly’s friend signed her up for Fight Night but she has been making sure she has trained hard every day and listened to the coaches. Molly describes her style as short and powerful and wants to tell her competitor: “Lilly, we’re mates out of the ring but enemies in the ring.”

Molly’s motto is: “Win or lose, I’m on the booze”, and by the looks of it, it will be a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate.

Oscar Kenyon, 21, Cardiff Met, Sports Coaching, Second Year

Oscar wanted to sign up because he thought it would be a great challenge and a fun event to be a part of.

He’s been doing cardio with his mates to prepare, but his jab is the strongest part of his fighting style.

The first thing he will drink is anything he can steal from his mates on the table, but they better get him some blue VKs because they are his favourite.

Sam Powell, 20, Cardiff Met, Sport PE and Health, First Year

Sam has always wanted to try boxing and so signed up for this fight. He compares his fighting style to Randy Orton.

To train, Sam has been cutting down on the beers and watching Tony Jeffries.

His motto is “stay frosty” and his favourite VK is the orange one. After the fight, Sam said he will be straight on the vodka Red Bulls.

Tom ‘Tank’ Williams, 21, Cardiff Met, Sport PE & Health, Third Year

Tom wanted to challenge himself to something new so signed up for Fight Night. He says his fighting style is most like Mike Tyson’s, and to prepare Tom has been trying to get cardio in to improve his fitness alongside working on his technique.

His motto is “it’s not over till the fat lady sings” and will be straight on the booze after the fight – although he says VKs are strictly for freshers, so don’t expect to see Tom with a VK in his hand anytime soon.

Isaac Pedrick, 21, Cardiff Met, Business Management, Second Year

This is Isaac’s second time returning to fight night in an attempt to redeem and challenge himself. His long jab string right hand is his biggest fighting strength and in his training process, Isaac has been learning to skip.

Issac compares himself to Tyson Fury and he wishes to tell his competitor: ‘You can’t catch these hands.’ His good luck charm is to put the left glove on first and as soon as the fight is over, he’s going to have a beer in the shower. Isaac’s favourite VK is orange.

Robbie Bull, 20, Cardiff Met, Law, Third Year

Robbie decided to take part in Fight Night because he said it was an amazing opportunity he couldn’t turn down. A strength of his fighting style is his long reach and great jab which he says make it tough to get past.

His first drink after the fight will be a double vodka and lemonade which Robbie says he is itching for, although Robbie’s favourite VK is orange and passionfruit.

Robbie’s motto is: “Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face – my opponent’s plan won’t last” but wants to let his opponent know “good luck, gonna be a great fight and an even better event.”