Charity boxing event sponsored by Sam Kelt

RINGSIDE: Havelock North businessman Sam Kelt will now sponsor next month's charity boxing night. PHOTO/FILE

Merchant banker Sam Kelt has stepped into the fray to sponsor next month's controversial charity boxing event.

The March 7 contest at Lindisfarne College, earlier referred to as the Hawke's Bay Kings of Club Rugby and now officially the Kelt Capital King of Club Rugby - made headlines earlier this month following the announcement that former Magpie and banned rugby player Whetu Barber was billed as a fighter.

Mr Barber was given a life ban from rugby by the Waikato Rugby Union last year after punching referee Mark Ray while playing for Otorohanga against Morrinsville in a Waikato premier B fixture.

This week the former MAC club member confirmed he had found an opponent for the 14-bout card, in the form of Hastings Rugby and Sports prop Dennis Tapusoa. Mr Barber, who last played club rugby in the Bay in 2011, told Hawke's Bay Today he was simply happy to be involved in the event and was not fazed by the controversy surrounding his inclusion.

He had already started some training and may have a few sparring matches in preparation.

Kelt Capital owner Sam Kelt, a former boxer, confirmed his sponsorship, saying the decision was an easy one as the proceeds were going to "a great cause".

Hawke's Bay Magpies halfback Chris Eaton and his brother, Kim, are organising the event as a fundraiser for the Jarrod Cunningham Trust and Kim's Auckland-based 9-year-old niece, Lili, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 5.

Last year Lili was chosen by the Make a Wish Foundation and Team New Zealand to present the Duchess of Cambridge with a posy of flowers before she went sailing in Auckland.

Mr Kelt said he was touched by the compassion for Lili Reynolds and her illness and said the community had shown extraordinary support for her. He said he didn't question his decision to sponsor the fight night despite the controversial inclusion of Mr Barber.

"I don't tend to be put off by controversy. I think all these guys are doing this for the right reasons," he said.

Organisers expect a crowd of about 800.