Event Showcase: Warwick Thai Boxing’s Fight Night

Warwick Thai Boxing is poised to thrill spectators yet again at its sixth annual Fight Night, slated for 22 February at The Assembly in Leamington. Last year’s event sold over 530 tickets, combining explosive fights with commendable charity efforts. This year’s edition is set to be even better than the last.

In 2024, Fight Night showcased 28 non-decision fights, hailing competitors from five universities across the UK. Under the previous Thai Boxing President, Zoe, the event incorporated a charity element, raising over £2,000 for the Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC). Current President, Shiela, has set her sights on even higher fundraising goals, aiming to “hit the previous target and above”.

Shiela explains that Fight Night consists of two main parts: “The first part of the day is where general members of the Thai Boxing club fight and compete against other universities. Usually, this is in the form of non-decision fights, leading up to decision fights at the end of the first half.” In Thai boxing – also called Muay Thai – a decision fight is when a winner is determined by a judge. Non-decision fights are often a stepping-stone to decision fights, generally seen as less intense as no definitive winner is announced.

We aim to get people sparring as soon as we can. We need to teach people that it’s ok to be hit

– Tegan, Women’s Officer and Captain

The second half of Fight Night is the charity element. “We recruited people from different societies who had no past experience in Thai boxing and trained them up for their first decision fight, representing their society while raising money for charity.” 11 s . Even the SU’s Sports VP has taken on a fight!

Featuring competitors with little to no Muay Thai experience, charity fights mark the culmination of an intense training journey. Charity competitors gain access to Boot Camp and Fight Camp, two six-week training camps offered by the society. Fighters learn basics in Boot Camp before becoming comfortable with sparring during Fight Camp.

Women’s Officer and Captain, Tegan, unpacks the physical and mental journey fighters undergo to get to the ring: “The most important thing is building up confidence and letting the fighter know that they will be in a safe environment. It’s not just about skill, but about being brave.” Fighters become familiar with combination drills  and pad work before swiftly moving on to sparring. “We aim to get people sparring as soon as we can. We need to teach people that it’s ok to be hit. Nothing bad is going to happen – it’s safe,” Tegan explains. She also emphasises the importance of fitness to build stamina in the ring, encouraging fighters to go on runs in addition to attending a minimum of three training sessions per week.

Having previously competed at Fight Night, both Tegan and Shiela described fights as “nerve-wracking” yet “intensely rewarding”. They fondly recall the support of friends, the rush of adrenaline, and the pride that comes from accomplishing something new. Tegan shares: “[I]t’s an incredible feeling stepping into the ring and feeling unsure, later coming out of it with something you’ve never done before.” Reflecting on her second role as a mentor in the corner of the ring, she describes the “amazingly rewarding” experience of “watching people conquer their fears and develop a new passion for a sport”, noting that many charity fighters continue with the sport long after the event.

Tickets will be available on the SU website around the end of January to early February

Last year, Warwick Thai Boxing won the SU’s ‘Reshaping Sport’ award for its efforts to increase female representation. The club has come a long way. Tegan shared that when she first joined Thai Boxing three years ago: “there were about two-to-three women in a class of 30. For years I wouldn’t go to an advanced class, afraid I would get beaten up by some guy.” Since then, Thai Boxing has greatly increased female participation in the male-dominated sport. Every Sunday, the club hosts a women’s and non-binary session led by a female coach. To cultivate an inclusive community, the executive committee organizes socials, manages a dedicated group chat, and provides women and non-binary members with priority access to all training sessions.

For Fight Night, Shiela is aiming to further the club’s impact by increasing the number of female fighters and donations to CRASAC. The charity supports women and individuals affected by sexual violence through counselling and other specialist services – an admirable cause for a male-dominated combat sport to champion. Funds will be raised through ticket sales, donations, and a food stand at the event.

Fight Night is tentatively set to run from noon until 10pm, with charity fights taking place in the evening, starting around 7pm. Tickets will be available on the SU website around the end of January to early February. Best to act quick – while cash payments at the door are an option, Shiela recommends purchasing tickets in advance to secure your spot.