MIKE Pedrana is preparing to get in the boxing ring to privately raise money for his friend and Mandurah resident Tonia Hutton, who is battling cancer.
Pedrana and his boxing club, Ringside Boxing and Fitness will be assisting in raising money for the Mandurah battler following the boxing match on March 4 at the Italian Club in Perth.
“She is a lovely woman and it is a very sad time for their family,” Pedrana said.
Pedrana, an experienced boxer who has been boxing for more than 28 years, has been training for the charity fight with his ‘coaches’ (his two daughters) Molly (10) and Mia (7).
“I call Molly the technician while Mia is the sparrer,” Pedrana said.
“Molly lets me know where I can improve while Mia spars.”
The 45-year-old will be coming up against someone half his age in the match-up but Pedrana has experience on his side.
Pedrana, who is currently studying a double major at the University of Western Australia and plans to make a career out of comedy, said he started his boxing career in Carnarvon, Tonia’s home town. “Where I was raised it was pretty common to fight,” he said.
“The police started a boxing club to get people off the streets.”
The gesture drove Pedrana to also give back to the community through boxing.
“They did it for me so I’ve done the same,” he said.
Pedrana regularly holds boxing clinics in remote communities where he receives donations that he gives back to the community.
His upcoming charity match is somewhat of a different endeavour but one he is just as passionate about.
People can donate to Tonia at gofundme.co m/e3n2dutg
For tickets to Pedranna’s fight go to events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/white-collar-boxing—-1916
