For Rotorua's Michael Lovegrove "nothing that's easy is worth doing", which is why the 22-year-old has spent the past six months pushing his body to the limit to prepare for next month's Fight Night 12.
The former John Paul College student, who is finishing a degree in commerce and science in Auckland, has been juggling his studies with gruelling workouts for the boxing event, which raises money for cancer charity Canteen. He will take to the boxing ring at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre on November 8, in one of 15 bouts involved, and hopes to raise more than $5000 for the charity. He's already raised close to $1500 for Canteen, which he said was a cause close to his heart.
In March this year, Mr Lovegrove's childhood caregiver, who he had known all his life, died from cancer. He was unable to say goodbye and felt taking part in the event would be a way of healing and a way to help those who are battling cancer or who have lost loved ones to the disease.
"I wanted to do something to help, something that would make a difference. Even though I've already taken a few punches to the face for it, it's for a good cause. Besides, nothing that's easy is worth doing," he said.
Mr Lovegrove puts in hours of training a week, with four weight sessions and six boxing sessions on his weekly schedule and, while most can relax on Sundays, he spends them training. These gruelling workouts have seen him suffer multiple blood noses and injuries. "Mike Tyson makes it look so easy on TV. But it's so much harder than it looks. I'm definitely not doing it for the thrill of it and I doubt I'd ever be the next Muhammad Ali, but hopefully I'll come out on top."
