FIVE hard-nosed Manchester businessmen are dusting off their boxing gloves and squaring up to each other one more time to raise money for Francis House children's hospice.

The quintet of former amateur fighters have decided to stage a "white collar" fight night at the Willows in Salford on March 1, inviting men from all walks of life to eat, drink, be merry - and belt the living daylights out of each other!

Now Russ Arrowsmith, a Salford amateur boxing stalwart, is hoping that the night will give him one last chance to get one over on an old opponent, John Edmundson, who beat him three times in the late 1970s.

Edmundson, who now owns a hairdressing business in Monton, was a handy bantamweight in his day, and it was a phone call from him which led to the idea of rousing a few old-timers out for exhibition bouts.

Famous

Russ, now managing director of Salford engineering firm Arrow and a key figure in the boxing club of the same name, also roped in Kev Heap, general manager of Edmundson Electrical, who boxed at the famous Marchant's gym in Salford, and Chris Wood, sales director of MAP Engineering and who will put his unbeaten four-fight record on the line.

And when Lee Kenney, the managing director of plumbing parts company Comap Westco got involved, the worthy cause was decided, as Lee's nephew Paul died at the hospice in 1995.

"The event is aimed at people who haven't boxed before, but the five of us will put on exhibition bouts, although our average age is about 40 - and I am 46!" said Russ.

"We have people from all walks of life, from solicitors to taxi drivers, so it promises to be a great night."

Tickets for the show, including dinner, will be é50, and there will also be an auction of authenticated memorabilia. For tickets ring Russ Arrowsmith on 07789 111087, Lee Kenney on 07887 830556, Kev Heap on 07957 555195, or Chris Wood on 07766 113333. Tweet