Boxing: Mates to put friendship aside in ring

Training buddies Sarah Holyoake (left) and Kylee Stok will become enemies for six minutes on Saturday night. Photo / Warren Buckland

When Hawke's Bay mother of three Kylee Stok embarked on a weight-loss journey she never envisaged it would end with a date in the boxing ring.

Six months later and 38kg lighter, Stok, 32, can't wait for her debut in Saturday night's Battle for Life Charity Boxing Event at the Hastings Sports Centre. The former Hawke's Bay hockey rep was quick to reply when quizzed on the strengths which would give her the edge against Napier City Rovers footballer Sarah Holyoake.

"My determination. I really want to succeed and I've got the tools to do it."

Like Holyoake, 26, Stok, is trained by Patrick O'Brien at The Lab Health & Fitness, Napier. They do their individual training together but do their pad work separately.

"We want to save all the excitement of the close contact stuff for the ring. I'm not fazed about the fact Sarah can keep an eye on my training ... this is really for the cause," Stok said referring to the Suicide Prevention charity, which will benefit from the 14-fight card.

"It's important we help save the lives of those who haven't lost their lives and honour those who have," Stok said.

The Bupa Healthcare promoter who did a lot of horse riding in her younger days decided to do something about her fitness in March last year.

"I did 10 minutes on the treadmill every day after work. Then in February this year I decided to do the Transformers course organised by Sport Hawke's Bay and Patrick.

"Although I didn't know how to punch, I fell into boxing from there," Stok recalled.

"I feel so much fitter and happier. Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive," she added.

A trainee teacher at Mayfair School, Holyoake, joined up at The Lab in January for the fitness classes and started training with the boxing classes in April.

"It's been challenging because Patrick has pushed us a lot. But at the same time it's been a rewarding and amazing experience for mind, body and soul," Holyoake said.

She has no qualms with Stok training at the same time as her in the buildup to their fight which is scheduled for three 2m rounds.

"We've become good mates because we started training at the same time and there has been plenty of friendly banter. But it's game on once we get in the ring ... I'm sure we will get the rage on," Holyoake said.

She is confident her fast footwork will prove an advantage.

"Kylee is a little bit shorter and I've been working on some defensive stuff in case she attacks inside," Holyoake said.

She planned to stick with boxing training but is unsure whether she will have another fight after Saturday.

"I have so much study for my job. But once I've graduated I might give it another go."

All but two of the bouts - Stok against Holyoake and one between Teuila Nauer and Sam Greaney - are between fighters from The Lab and Patu Gym in Hastings. Holyoake said the quartet were unable to be matched against Patu opponents but the similar builds and familiarity of the four should guarantee two even bouts from the training buddies.