Real fight for council scrapper | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Yani Johanson is a tiger around the city council debating table and in April, he’ll be taking those fighting qualities into the boxing ring.

The 34-year-old is a contender in charity boxing event Fight For Youth.

One of an expected 16 men and women taking part, Cr Johanson will be fighting for his life in three one-and-a-half-minute rounds in the ring, in front of an expected crowd of 1200.

While looking forward to the challenge, the outspoken city councillor admitted to some nerves about his fight against fellow welterweight, newspaper journalist Marc Greenhill.

"I’ll just be happy if I can last three rounds. I’ve heard it feels like a lifetime when you’re in the ring," he said.

The first-time event is aimed at raising money and awareness for less well known youth organisations in the city, such as Parklands Youth Club, Waipuna Trust, Cross Road Youth with a Future and Te Ora Hou.

"The reason I’m doing it is it’s for a good cause and it’s a good challenge," said Cr Johanson. Like the other contenders, he is a novice with no previous boxing experience and event director Justin Wallace said all of those taking part had some nerves about stepping into the ring for the first time.

"They all individually have some fears and butterflies but it’s an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones," he said.

Confirmed contenders are: Bayleys Real Estate’s Mark O’Loughlin, Harcourts’ Ta Karati, The Radio Network’s Chris Simon, Coverstaff’s Richard Hawke, Vodafone’s Reon Goodwillie, Independent Liquor’s Mark Allison, Ideal Electrical’s Regan Dixon, Bartercard’s Paul Joyce, Les Mills’ Matt Wood, Blue Light Canterbury Youth Development Programme’s Mike Field and Harcourts’ Lousie Banks.

They will be matched on their height and weight divisions.

Over the next few weeks the contenders will prepare for their fights on April 9 by learning boxing techniques with a Canterbury Boxing Association trainer and improving fitness. For Cr Johanson that means an almost daily fitness work of "mainly running and exercises".

Mr Wallace’s advice to the novice boxers was simple: "Turn up to training".

"The key to boxing is having the stamina to last three rounds. It’s a very long one-and-a-half minutes."

Each contender will raise money for their charity, contributing to a total fundraising goal of $100,000, said Mr Wallace. An auction, run by Deputy Mayor Norm Withers will also be held during the night.

Fight for Youth will be held at Cowles Stadium in Aranui on April 9.