There is roughly one month to go before Rival Boxing Gym hosts the all-women charity event 'Boxing Beauties' in hopes to raise funds and awareness for Cochrane's up and coming women's shelter, Big Hill Haven.

Anne Garrido, Owner of Rival Boxing Gym Cochrane and Head Coach shares the April 27th event is coming up fast and furious. "It always comes so fast. We all think that 12 weeks is lots of time, and we do have time, but it does go fast. The first few weeks we take it slow because we have a lot of basic technical stuff to learn, but after that, everything accelerates because we've got to get everybody ramping up before the D-day."

Currently slated to have 12 boxing bouts, the night will open with a match between two young girls before the women enter the ring. "We have 11 bouts with women from our local gym Rival, along with guests from Calgary and one from Fort McMurray."

Everyone is putting in the hard work and the ladies are exactly where Garrido envisioned they would be. "The last couple of weeks have been a big breakthrough for understanding what it takes to get in the ring and get the intensity. I am very happy with everyone's progress."

This is the third time our local boxing gym has hosted a fundraising event, and although 12 weeks is not nearly long enough to master the sport of boxing, there is no 'perfect' training period when it comes to being ready to enter the ring. "With experience, we know that 12 weeks of training is never going to be enough, but on the other hand, you are never going to be ready. No one is ever ready for their first fight, you just have to take the jump."

While the boxers may not display a high level of technique in the ring they will be in shape from good conditioning. "We try to orientate people that they need to get into shape and get the intensity going so that when they get in the ring and the adrenalin and everything kicks in, that at least have the conditioning to keep them going."

When it comes to charity events Garrido never stresses because safety is always the primary focus, and boxers will be matched according to weight, ability, and age.

As far as some people questioning the connection between a female boxing event and domestic violence, Garrido says it is all about female empowerment. "Boxing is truly one of the toughest sports out there. When you get to the level of empowerment where you can master your own emotions and physical ability, and bring them to the next level, there is nothing better for women then getting there. It's a sport, it's controlled, it's not a fight club, and there is nothing negative about giving that opportunity to women."

Hoping to be a total sellout, Garrido would love to see all 750 seats taken by community members cheering on the ladies.

While she would love to raise a good chunk of money for Big Hill Haven, Garrido says she needs a few more sponsors to jump on board. "We are looking for belt sponsors. My goal for the belt sponsors is not that they are just giving money, but if the company chooses to sponsor a belt that they can be the one in the ring giving the belt to the winner. I would love to have 12 small or large businesses get involved with the event in Cochrane and represent their company and support the cause."

The Boxing Beauties event will be held at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre on Saturday the 27th and is open to all ages, as long as you have purchased a ticket. Drinks and food will be available for purchase and Garrido hopes people stick around after the bouts are over. "We have a DJ coming so after the show there will be a party where people can stay, have a drink, and celebrate the wins."

While Garrido has not cemented down a fundraising target, as of yet, an online FB auction in conjunction with the event will add to the overall donation. "It is still very early. We have the first sponsorships coming in and ticket sales seem to be going well, but it is still too early. The more sponsorships I get in the more money we can give, every cent counts.

If you have a business that would like to sponsor the event through either a belt sponsorship or the online auction, contact Garrido HERE.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the individual fighters or by stopping by Rival Boxing Gym Cochrane.

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