Students representing societies from Architecture to, most prominently, the University of Lincoln Boxing & Kickboxing Society will take to the ring on the 22nd of February in front of hundreds of spectators as Wilder Fight Night returns to Lincoln for the second year running.
A total of 16 match-ups will take place during the event at the Engine Shed on Saturday evening.
Each boxer will pick a ring name to represent themselves on the night, ranging from intimidating to comical. Names include Macca “The Pakka” Wilson, JJ “The Psycho” Torrente, and UoL Boxing & Kickboxing Social Sec, Justin “The Jester” Torcato.
The fighters – all students at the University of Lincoln, bar one from Bishop Grosseteste University – have been given two months of free professional training at Lincoln Fight Factory ahead of the night, which is in aid of the Oddballs Foundation, a testicular cancer charity.
Inez Spence, City Manager for Wilder Fight Night Lincoln, said: “The main goal for the event is to raise money for the Oddballs foundation and to give the fighters an experience of a lifetime.”
The event was held at the Drill last year, where 400 tickets were sold, but has now been moved to the Engine Shed to allow for an even larger audience and a bigger and better event all around.
Unlike last year’s single-ticket option, this year offers three different options. A standing ticket, a VIP bench ticket, and a VVIP ticket upstairs, overlooking the ring with a private bar.
Of 16 fights, three will be women’s and thirteen men’s, while two student presenters from the University of Lincoln, 1st year Henry Elwell and 2nd year George Allen, provide added entertainment.
Wilder Fight Night runs across 18 different cities in the UK, all varying in the number of events each year, and is one of Europe’s biggest student fundraisers, with around £320,000 raised last year.