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The British Army’s Royal Regiment of Fusiliers touched down in Bahrain over the weekend to prepare for an upcoming charity boxing dinner set to enthral sport lovers across the kingdom while strengthening relations between Bahrain and the UK.
The Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Dinner, which will take place at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) on Friday, February 4, is a black-tie event where the First Fusiliers will battle it out in 10 bouts of boxing against elite members of BDF’s Royal Guard.
“This is a fantastic project and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will offer so much experience to British soldiers,” said 38-year-old Sergeant Mark Carling, head coach for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers currently stationed in Salisbury. “It will be the first time some of the team have travelled outside of the UK to experience different cultures and the team is excited to make new friends and meet new training partners. This event is not about winning but the development of both teams.
“We hope to meet the National Bahrain Boxing Team and work to build relations for future events and wider defence engagement.”
The Royal Guard Team, which is currently made up of three female boxers and 10 male boxers, has been training hard since November under the guidance of Bahrain’s technical development manager and national boxing coach, Tony Davis, alongside assistant coaches Jassim Darwish and Mohammed Naseem.
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which Davis described as ‘probably the best’ infantry regiment for boxers in the British Army, rivalled only by The Parachute Regiment, have brought 14 soldiers, 11 boxers, a head coach, an assistant coach and a boxing officer to be a part of the event which will be entertaining an audience of around 300 guests.
According to Carling, they have been preparing for the event like any other major challenge and they are fortunate to have a great coaching team that looks after the boxers.
“Each training session is carefully planned and involves some tough physical challenges that prepare them mentally and physically,” said Carling, who has served as a soldier for 20 years. His passion is boxing and coaching young soldiers from varied backgrounds and his vision is to train and develop them as individuals, while watching them grow with confidence before stepping into the ring for the first time. Outside of his day-to-day role, he is also an England Boxing Referee.
“The team have trained hard leading up to this competition and I’m proud of them all for making it this far,” he added. “Our team will bring courage and discipline, but also respect for their opponent. They will come out aggressive and have the will to win. They have been trained to stick to the game plan for each individual bout.
“We will welcome the home side back to the UK for a rematch and host them too.”
Team captain Conner Moore, 23, from Peterborough, has only been with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for around a year and while he is not competing in the event, he will be ring-side cheering his fellow boxers on, as well as representing the team at community engagements.
“This is a first for the team to experience a different culture and way of lifestyle,” said Moore, who completed his basic training of six months at the famed Infantry Training Centre Catterick.
“We will use this event as preparation for future tournaments that we are engaged in this season,” he added. “A win for our first boxing engagement would be fantastic but most of all this is a lifetime opportunity for the team and myself.
“Please come and say ‘hello’ and chat with my team members. We are friendly and would love some hints and tips to make our time in Bahrain enjoyable and memorable. We look forward to training in the facilities and you may see us training together as a team.”
Meanwhile, Darren Barker, 2013 IBF Middleweight Champion, who also held multiple titles including the Commonwealth title from 2007 to 2009, the British title in 2009 and the European title from 2010 to 2011, will be one of the big names that will be attending the event.
Former undisputed and retired World Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe will also be at the dinner meeting fans and signing autographs. He is the longest-reigning super-middleweight world champion in boxing history.
BRFC members will be able to watch the weigh-in and introduction of the teams by Calzaghe and Barker in The BRFC Garden on February 3.
The Royal Rumble Charity Dinner, supported by Gulf Air, is being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in partnership with the Bahrain Boxing Federation, in a bid to raise funds for good causes as well as inspire a new generation of boxers.
It will start at 6.30pm with a reception, followed by a four-course meal, the much-anticipated boxing bouts, as well as a charity auction.
Email royalrumble@bahrainrfc.com, for more details.
