Shanghai's favorite black tie boxing bloodbath returns for another round in the rainforest, courtesy of White Collar Boxing International. Brawl on the Bund: Rumble in the Jungle 2017 will rock Hyatt on the Bund on June 9 for a one-time only event that's the first of its kind in the world.
More than 500 people will watch Shanghai's finest duke it out for victory. 'White Collar' boxers have been plucked from offices across the city and put in intensive training for three months, and will be ready to show off their newly mastered hooks, jabs and – importantly – ability to take a punch.
In the next few days leading up to fight night, we will be posting a preview of each match-up. From the fifth bout, Edu 'La Haine' Gaspar and Can 'Can't Touch Dis' Halli took the time to answer some questions.
Edu 'La Haine' Gaspar
Nationality: Spanish
Age: 26
Weight: 78 kg
Favorite quote: If not us, who? If not now, when? -The Kid of the Typewriter
What made you decide to fight? When I was younger I was a bit aggressive, and that’s something I always tried to control because it brought lots of problems. A girl I loved once told me that I was good at fighting. She was my Fibonacci spiral, my perfect perception of life, so I always listened to her. She encouraged me to try boxing and start fighting with rules inside a controlled scenario. And that’s what I did, I ended up loving it and now I don’t want to stop it!
If you could fight anyone living, dead, fictional or real, who would it be? Myself. You are your worst enemy.
What does it mean for you to be a fighter? To learn to lose, to manage anger, to accept things that you can’t control. But also to adapt, to learn from mistakes and failures, to find your weaknesses and create the best version of yourself. To not give up, to understand pain and strike back.
What sets you apart from the other boxers in Brawl on the Bund? I love the feeling of being under pressure. I am extremely comfortable when I’m against the corner, feeling the punches. I think I am quite good at keeping calm in those intense moments. I like to feel the pain of my opponent’s punches and to use it as a strength for my fight strategy.
What holes do you see in your opponent's game? I do not know him a lot… but the few times that we did sparring I could see he doesn’t like to get punched at all (obviously). But for boxing you don’t only need to attack and defense, you also need to not to be afraid of pain.
What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your fight? For my smile at the end. Win or lose, I will enjoy it for sure.
Can 'Can't Touch Dis' Halli
Nationality: Turkish
Age: 27
Weight: 78 kg
Favorite quote: So verily, with the hardship, there is relief. -Holy Qur'an
What made you decide to fight? When I first started boxing at Golden Gloves, the Brawlers for the previous Brawl were training, and I told myself, next time I will be there.
If you could fight anyone living, dead, fictional or real, who would it be? Floyd Mayweather Jr.
What does it mean for you to be a fighter? Respect. Boxing is all about respecting your opponent, being humble and leaving your ego outside the gym.
What sets you apart from the other boxers in Brawl on the Bund? My hard work. Ask anyone in the gym, "who is the guy that comes and trains everyday?", and they will point to me. There is no easy way to success but through sweat and pain.
What holes do you see in your opponent's game? His stamina probably.
What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your fight? I hope they remember me as the guy who gave one hell of a fight.
Fri June 9, 7pm. Hyatt on the Bund, see event listing here.
0 User Comments