Reporter Kieran "Bad News" Nash has donned his boxing gloves for a good cause - raising money for KidsCan. He's training for a corporate fight night on November 5.
We're getting close. In less than two weeks I'll be in the ring, squaring off against my opponent in front of 700 cheering and jeering onlookers at the Langham hotel.
Through this journey I'm finding there is more to boxing than just the fight. Apart from all the training and healthy living, there's also a large black tie event for the punters.
So this week I got a taste of the more glamorous side of fighting - a professional photo shoot to put my mug in the fight programmes.
I often watch New Zealand's Next Top Model and wonder what all the fuss is about. The skinny teens stand in front of the cameraman, whine for five minutes then retire to the mansion to eat celery. Anyone can do that. Or not, as I quickly found.
The purpose of the shoot was to get a promo shot of the fighters looking tough and serious. For some people this comes naturally. For me, my default look is to cock my eyebrow and pull a stupid grin. Probably as far from tough as it gets.
While experiencing nervous flashbacks of dorky family photos, I stood like a gormless idiot trying to channel my inner Mike Tyson.
Photographer Andy Conlan was trying his best to coach me.
"Stand there. Look at the camera, but with your chin forward. Try to relax. No, chin forward. You don't want to squash your chin into your face.
"Okay, like that. But with your shoulders back. Like you're looking out a window to see what's on the ground. Now look serious."
I told him I was trying my best.
"Pretend someone just spilled their drink on you in the club."
After that was done, we tried a different angle. "Okay, now side on. Face the light. The other way. Turn slightly.
"Less than that. Less than that. Sort of like Boyz II Men."
Boyz II Men? I'm trying to do Mike Tyson, not seduce some babe from the 1990s. "Okay, now rotate your eyeballs a bit. No, don't shift your weight, just move your eyeballs. Look at that point on the ground."
Then it was time for a face shot.
"Okay, do you have another look?"
I'd practiced my mean look. That's all I had. So I tried a lot of different, but still serious, poses.
At some point one of my eyebrows rose. "Great. We're done. I've got the shot." Andy showed me the camera.
It's a goofy shot of me with a cocked eyebrow. Oh well.
Ticket giveaway
The Herald on Sunday has two double passes to give away for Corporate Fight Night 7. To be in to win, email editor@hos.co.nz with "Fight Night" in the subject line. For more ticket information visit http://www.ringsidenz.com/events.htm Winners announced next week.
* If you'd like to help my fundraising effort for KidsCan, please visit www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kierannash.
