The 24-Hour Shadow Boxing Challenge
WBC Cares UK set the Midnight Mayhem fighters a challenge: shadow box somewhere unexpected and film it within 24 hours. Beaches, offices, rooftops, traffic jams: here are the entries.
On the morning of 8 October, Matt from WBC Cares UK dropped a video into the fighters’ training group with three words: “24 hour challenge.” The brief was simple. Shadow box somewhere unexpected, film it, and post it within 24 hours. What followed was the best day the group chat has ever had.
Shadow boxing is one of the most useful things a new boxer can do: no partner, no kit, just stance, footwork and keeping your hands up. It also turns out to be very funny when you do it in a supermarket.
First out of the blocks
Robin Hutchison got the ball rolling, and Matt confirmed he’d nailed the brief: “This is the theme of it. Keep them coming.” Alex Pratt admitted he might need to “dig into my inner imagination, or maybe just hire Square In The Air!” Robin’s reply: “Available for weddings and bar mitzvahs.” Then Antonio K Moreno joined in, with his dog watching on and, as Alex put it, “thinking not again!”
The office
Matt was a little disappointed: “No one is on a meeting, shadow boxing, pushing the sponsorship and conversation starters.” Becky Johnson-Kent answered with an office entry, punching packs of grain that had been handed round for Black History Month (“we don’t always have packs lying around waiting to be punched”). The next morning Luka Vukicevic went one better and shadow boxed on a video call: “Preparing for SBC follow up meetings!”
The coaches show how it’s done
The coaches weren’t going to let the fighters have all the fun. WBC Cares UK coach Tiernan took to the beach (“working on my balance and my boxing”), and when Lee asked if he really had 104 fights, Tiernan corrected him: “142 fights, 129 wins actually.” Alfie got bored in traffic, so he filmed one of the WBC Cares UK team shadow boxing in the road while they waited. Khumo shadow boxed in a shop. BTG coach Daryl filmed his in a classroom, with a warning: “Be careful, some school teachers are only teachers part time.” And Lee put a belt on for his.
Anytime, anywhere
Chris Anwyl took it to new heights: “Anytime, anywhere,” from on top of a wall. He’d wanted to go on the roof, but his wife put her foot down. “I had the ladder ready.” Kevin Reid went for the driver’s seat. Steve Mayes had no spare moments, so he multi-tasked at home: “No spare moments. Multi-tasking today.”
Making it look good
Rosa Kolkka took hers to the waterfront (“I love how my friends don’t even question my BS anymore”) and suggested her audio be used for every video. Steve: “Permission granted.” Jan Urbanec didn’t have a gimmick but “just felt the need to participate,” with his AirPods in, so enjoy the grumpy sounds. And Wayne Fisher shadow boxed on a footbridge over a rushing river. “Proper Yorkshireman,” said Lee. Matt’s verdict: “Potential for most aesthetic.”
WBC Cares UK’s Yusef rounded the day off with wheelchair boxing, a reminder that boxing really is for everyone.
Twenty-four hours, eighteen videos and not a single sponsorship pitch. Fight camp has never looked so good. Meet the fighters, back one, or book a session for your team and try it yourself.
