It's looking like all Bad News now...

Kieran Nash goes the extra mile. Photo / Jason Dorday

Reporter Kieran Nash has donned his boxing gloves for a good cause - raising money for KidsCan. He's building up for a corporate fight night in November and this week he has some "bad news" for his opponent.

It's not easy choosing a new name. Readers made many suggestions about what I should be called in the ring in November. Many liked a rhyme in their line.

Some of the suggestions were: Kieran "The Bash" Nash; "Bash for Cash" and "Smasher" - someone went one better suggesting "Smasher the Gnasher".

Darryl Nagel clearly fancies himself as a ring announcer. He emailed: "The master of the 'Smash and Dash', a man that will make a splash in his first clash ... a man who needs many, many introductions so you will take notice: I present to you KIERAN "THE BIG BASH" NASH!"

Other readers suggested: HoStile (Herald on Sunday, get it?); Death Knock; The Hopeless Honky; White Fists of Furry (I loved the unintentional typo); Man Child and The Killer Kid from Kerikeri.

But being a journalist there really was only one choice: Kieran "Bad News" Nash.

It's already stuck. I'm known as "Bad News" Nash at the gym; it's catchy, to the point and sounds badass.

And for my theme song, some excellent ideas were also suggested: Fresh Blood by the Eels, Why Can't we be Friends by War, Protect ya Neck by the Wu-Tang Clan, The Way of the Fist by Five Finger Death Punch, Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J, Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin and Helter Skelter by The Beatles.

But I've decided to go with a personal favourite: Human Fly by The Cramps.

I'm now a fighter in name and song. But not in spirit.

At this point, less than four weeks out, motivation is at an all-time low. The novelty has worn off. The experience has become routine: wake, train, work, train, eat, sleep. Repeat.

Old injuries are knocking at the door. Even sparring is daunting - the last time I saw my blood on my opponent's gloves, I lost my nerve and got a hiding.

The coaches say it's normal for self-doubt to trickle in at this stage. An injury here, a beating there and all of a sudden you're wondering: "How am I going to prove I've got what it takes?"

I guess overcoming that self-doubt is what makes a champion.

One of the greats, Jack Dempsey, put it nicely: "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."

So all the contenders are in for a pep-talk by a man who has ridden the highs and lows of the boxing world - David Tua. Tune in next week for some insights from the owner of that left hook.

If you'd like to help out my fundraising effort for KidsCan, a charity that helps young Kiwis in poverty, please visit www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kierannash.