Regan Kalmancsi's thoughts will be close to the cause when he makes his third appearance at the Battle for Life charity boxing event in Napier tonight.
"I was on the same team as Chy [Cassidy] when I made my debut in 2015. He became a victim of suicide this year and that's one of the main reasons I'm fighting again this time," Napier Port crane technician Kalmansci said as he pondered his bout against Manawatu's Shay Barber.
Their fight, which is scheduled for three two minute rounds, is the feature bout on the 15-fight card of the Laser Electrical-sponsored and hosted event which is a fundraiser for suicide prevention awareness. Tonight's show is the 10th edition of the event.
Kalmancsi, 31, lost his 2015 bout by a split decision to Jason Tuaputa and the following year beat fellow Bay fighter Douglas Samuels by a points decision. Tonight's will be his first fight against Barber but he will have plenty of knowledge on him as he has been training with Faamasino Aiolupotea who took on Barber at a show earlier this year.
A former rugby player and basketballer during his days at St John's College, Kalmancsi, took up boxing as a means of getting some fitness back after focusing on his career.