Extreme fisherman Matt Watson was inspired to take up boxing after being caught up in a shark feeding frenzy in Tahiti.
The star of the ITM Fishing Show is among Northland identities taking part in a charity boxing event where novice fighters will take some punches to raise money for cancer. Twenty men and four women will take to the ring for Fighting Cancer on September 22 in Kerikeri's Turner Centre.
Watson, who is better known for fighting marlin than humans, has been matched with builder Dale Hamlin of Whangarei in the second bout of the night.
The fishing guru said an experience in Tahiti's Shark Alley prompted him to take up boxing.
"I was in the water with a whole bunch of sharks, oceanic whalers and white-tips, when we kicked off a bit of a feeding frenzy ... me and the cameraman were back-to-back fending them off," Watson said.