'Happy to wear a punch' for Hospice

Napier chartered accountant Belinda Sommerville.

Napier chartered accountant Belinda Sommerville will square-off against Irene van Dyk in this year's Fight for Life.

Ms Sommerville, 33, has lost four members of her family to cancer and hopes to raise awareness for Hospice Waikato, the charity that gave palliative care for her father in his last months.

The 74kg, 1.77m accountant will face off against 43-year-old, 1.9m netball star van Dyk on December 5 at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton.

Irene van Dyk

The accountant is lacking the international sporting career of her opponent, but said she has stayed in shape for the past nine years by going to the gym three times per week.

"No one wants to punch Irene in the face, but in the ring I am happy to wear a punch and I'm sure Irene will wear one too if it means we can raise some awareness and funds for the wonderful people at Hospice," she said in a statement released by organisers, Duco Events, yesterday.

Van Dyk, who weighs 82kg, is the most capped international netball player of all time - with 145 games for the Silver Ferns and 72 for South Africa.

She is a former New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year, Netball World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

Ms Sommerville said she was motivated by the idea of raising money for those who cared for her father, Greg.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and was given just months to live.

Her aunt and two uncles also died from the disease, as did her father's best friend.

"I am doing this to give something back to Hospice after what they did for my father."

Last year, $100,000 was raised for Hospice Waikato at the Fight for Life.

Hospice Waikato is again the Fight for Life charity in 2015 with Duco Events pledging at least another $100,000 this year.

The fight night will be headlined by Joseph Parker.

Magpie and former All Black Zac Guildford will also take on Art Green, star of The Bachelor NZ.NZME