Southern Showdown 2013 News Feed

Boot Camp Ends - Contenders Awaiting Selection

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AFTER 6 GRUELLING WEEKS, BOOTCAMP CAME TO AN END THIS MORNING.

44 began the journey and 37 completed it this morning with a tough skill and fitness based workout.

Over the past week all contenders have weathered bruised ribs, bloody noses, strained muscles and several rounds in the ring showing their new found skills in front of the selectors of Doug Kamo (Producer), Ryan Henry (Head Trainer) and Eldon Cliffton (Assistant Trainer).

To all our contenders – stand tall and be proud of your achievement. Whether selected or not you have shown immense character, determination and commitment over the past 6 weeks. We and no doubt your family, friends and supporters are extremely proud of you.

It is now time to make the tough decision on what names will be read out at the Contender Announcement evening this Thursday.

The successful contenders will be released shortly after the announcement right here on the Southern Showdown Facebook Page.

So standby Dunedin! – Southern Showdown Round 2 is almost upon us!

Make sure you get your tickets early from Ticket Direct – on public sale from Monday 27 May.

Meet two of the Bootcamp Contenders

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Nigel Rickerby (CIO for Silver Fern Farms) and Phil Todd (Store Manager - Dunedin Pak N Save) share their reasons why they have joined the journey and what they hope to get out of the Bootcamp and hopefully the entire event if selected.

We take a look at the development of all the Bootcamp Contenders after just 2 weeks training.

Watch the video by CLICKING HERE

WIN TICKETS TO THE CONTENDER ANNOUNCEMENT EVENING

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WHO WILL BE SELECTED AS A CONTENDER IN 2013?

Here's your chance to have your say and find out at the 'Contender Announcement Evening' on 23 May.

CLICK HERE - LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND TELL US WHO YOU'RE SUPPORTING and you'll be in the draw to win 2 tickets to the Contender Announcement evening.

Enjoy mixing and mingling with the Contenders, drinks and nibbles, entertainment and the naming of the Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown Contenders for 2013.

GET BEHIND THEIR JOURNEY - VOTE NOW!

Bootcamp Begins for Contender Hopefuls

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43 hopefuls began Bootcamp this morning at NZ Fight & Fitness.

There was an air of excitement and anxiety as individuals were put through some basic boxing skills and a taste of what the fitness regime will be like for the next 6 weeks.

Check out our first video diary by clicking here

JOURNEY BEGIN�S FOR CONTENDER HOPEFULS

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52 individuals have survived the first round of the 2013 Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown by being selected to join Contender Bootcamp which starts on Monday.

The inaugural event was staged last year at the Lion Foundation Arena and raised over $32,000 for the Malcam Trust. This year an all new line up of contenders will step into the ring on 27 July with funds benefiting the Otago Community Hospice.

“We are at Bootcamp capacity and those who have been successful have been given quite an opportunity as they have been selected from 74 applications” producer Doug Kamo said.

“What is most pleasing is to see the significant increase in female applications. Last year we had 8 women apply which is in stark contrast to the 23 we’ve received this year” Kamo says. “Now all the contenders need to do is apply themselves 100% throughout the grueling 6 week training period so we can find potential match ups that are both fair and represent a great cross section of our business and recreational community”.

Boot Camp contender and Cutlers Real Estate agent Hamish McDonald says, “being given the opportunity to step into the ring is the biggest life challenge I’ve ever faced. I’m looking forward to receiving the best training and fitness possible whilst doing something great for an even greater charity”.

Pak N Save Manager, Phil Todd says getting punched on the hooter whilst helping to raise funds for the Otago Community Hospice would be well worth it. “The support they gave my family and grandmother in her final weeks was truly amazing”.

Following boot camp the trainers and promoters will take time to select up to 20 individuals who will then complete a further 9 weeks of training in preparation for the big night at the Lion Foundation Arena.

The event is once again sanctioned and managed by Pat Leonard and the team from the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association. The event is classified as “Social” boxing. This dictates the compulsory use of head gear and 16oz gloves and all boxers will be required to undergo a pre-bout weigh in and medical.

The selected Contenders will be announced at an invitation event to be held at the Dunedin Casino on 23 May 2013.

Tickets for this black tie event being held at the Lion Foundation Arena go on sale on 27 May 2013

For more information go to www.southernshowdown.co.nz

CALLING CONTENDERS FOR ROUND 2 OF SOUTHERN SHOWDOWN

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Contenders willing to put their chins on the line for charity are once again being sought by organisers of the Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown – A Black Tie Charity Boxing Event to be held at the Lion Foundation Arena on 27 July 2013.

Like last year it will see many local identities, businessmen and women put their hand up to fight for the ‘Otago Community Hospice' and take a journey many thought they never would take.

'The event is about the experience, the environment, the personal development', says Doug Kamo, producer of the Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown. 'It is about creating a legacy of men and women who go through this programme and over time come out of it not only having had the greatest experience of their life, but that they take that experience and apply it for the rest of their lives as fitter, healthier and more confident individuals’.

Training for the Showdown is split into two camps.

Contenders must first make a written application from which the trainers and producers will select who will go through to the 5 week Contender Bootcamp starting on 8 April with training being shared by CrossFit Dunedin and NZ Fight & Fitness Academy. Following the boot camp up to 20 successful individuals will be selected to complete a further 8 week training programme before stepping into the ring on July 14th.

Interest to date has been solid with IT technicians, super market managers, builders, logistics managers, lawyers and accountants all throwing their hat into the ring for consideration.

But it isn’t just becoming a contender that has sparked interest. Bookings have been coming in thick and fast to hold tables for the event in fear they will miss out says Kamo. “The success of last year’s event was evident as many contacted the office the following day asking us to hold tables for this year”.

Early bird table sales are available now but grandstand ticketing won’t open until after the contenders have been announced on 23 May.

For more information go to www.southernshowdown.co.nz

Otago Community Hospice to benefit from Southern Showdown 2013

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After the success of the inaugural Dunedin Casino Southern Showdown last year, promoter Doug Kamo says he is delighted the Dunedin Casino is back as naming sponsor and to announce that the Otago Community Hospice has been chosen as the benefactor of this year’s event.

“Last year $30,250.00 was raised for the Malcam Trust by the event and we are looking to increase that amount this year for the Otago Community Hospice” he said.

Once again contenders willing to put their chins on the line are being sought for the July 27 black tie event which saw More FM radio announcer Damian Newell and ODT distribution manager James Smith as well as ex CEO of Dunedin Venues, David Davies and Richie McCaw’s manager Warren Alcock do battle last year.

'The event is about the experience, the environment, the personal development', says Kamo. 'Just ask any of our contenders from last year. For many, it was one of the greatest experiences of their lives, an experience that has allowed them to become fitter, healthier and more confident individuals’.

Training for the Showdown is split into two camps.

Contenders must first make a written application from which the trainers and producers will select a group to go through to the 5 week Contender Bootcamp starting on 8 April with training being shared by CrossFit Dunedin and NZ Fight & Fitness Academy. Following the boot camp up to 20 successful individuals will be selected to complete a further 8 week training programme before stepping into the ring on July 27th.

'Our focus is not on selecting the best or most accomplished boxers. It’s not about who is the fittest or the strongest. We anticipate selecting a range of bouts that are fair and represent people across our entire community whether it is industry on industry, business on business, sport on sport, club on club, or even just mate on mate’, Kamo says.

Once again the event is sanctioned and managed by Pat Leonard and the team from the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association with well known local trainers Ryan Henry from NZ Fight & Fitness Academy and Grant Hughes from CrossFit Dunedin responsible for getting the Contenders technique and fitness up to scratch.

Ginny Green, CEO of the Otago Community Hospice says, “We’re excited to be part of this year’s Southern Showdown and we’re grateful to Doug Kamo and his team for selecting us as the charity of choice. All of our services are provided free of charge so the money raised by the Southern Showdown will help us continue to provide specialist palliative care to those in our community with life-limiting illnesses.”

Boxers return to day jobs

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REPORTED IN THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES by NIGEL BENSON

A group of battered warriors returned to work yesterday after donating their bodies to charity at the weekend.
The 22 "Southern Showdown" contestants had a variety of aches and bruises yesterday, but all shared the same satisfied grin.

James Mitchell and Tom West had one of the most bruising encounters in the Lion Foundation Arena on Saturday night, but caught up for a chat and a laugh yesterday.

"I came second," Mr Mitchell, sporting a pair of black eyes, said.

"But, I loved every minute of it and couldn't have picked a nicer guy to beat me up."

"For six minutes you don't like each other and then you're mates again," Mr West added.

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies also enjoyed his bout with lawyer Warren Alcock.

"It was an incredibly rewarding journey, with a great bunch of people, and I'm really glad I did it," he said yesterday.

"I have to deal with having been beaten, but that's never a bad thing and I learned some positive lessons about myself. I lost to a good fighter and take my hat off to him. The nose was pretty rough before the fight and nothing's really changed."

More FM radio announcer Damian Newell was also upbeat after losing the Battle of the Media to Otago Daily Times circulation manager James Smith, but shedding 14kg during the three months of training.

Promoter Doug Kamo said everyone who took part in the charity fight was a winner.

"All the boxers are fine. Some people come along and want to see knock-outs, but we don't and we want every bout to go the full three rounds and everyone to come out of it OK, which they all did," he said.

"We are pleased to have been able to showcase a black tie event of that calibre in Dunedin and we want to bring more of these to Dunedin. We'll definitely be putting this on again at a similar time next year."

The event was a fundraiser for the Malcam Charitable Trust.

LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL FOR BOXERS

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For the brave and courageous fighters taking part in the Southern Showdown, the gloves have come off and life can get back to normal.

Twenty two competitors trained for 15 weeks to take part in the glamourous charity boxing event, of which the Malcam Charitable Trust was the recipient.

The night was so successful organisers are calling for contenders to come forward for 2013.

CLICK HERE TO SEE STORY ON CHANNEL 9