White Collar Boxing returns to Shanghai this Saturday with the second installment of Brawl on The Bund. Corporate suits will swap their ties for gloves and jump into the boxing ring to battle it out for charity. We caught up with amateur boxer Matt Lonergan to find out more.

How did you get involved with Brawl on The Bund?
It all started over drinks one night. A friend who’s into amateur boxing and MMA brought it up and said it’d be a cool chance to do something new. He asked me, “How many chances do you get to do something like this?” I signed up the next morning. We’re going to fight in front of 600 people, and all the money will go to the charities Leo’s Foundation and Sport for All. It’s been a good opportunity to get fit, have a good time and meet some new people.

How’s training going?
[Laughs] Other than the black eye and the bruised ribs? Fine. Essentially it’s three months training, then they throw you in the ring. We’ve been pushing pretty hard.

Have you fought before?
This is my first fight, but I’m used to contact–I’m also a rugby league player. I’ll be going down to Hong Kong to spar with my brother in a bit. He’s fighting in the Hong Kong version of the event in March and he’s already been training for a couple months. But most guys are equal across the board in terms of experience. Maybe some guys have fought once before.

What’s your biggest strength?
My right cross. I’ve been working on a couple combination lefts too. One’s a left to the ribs followed by another to the face.

Do you have a scary nickname yet?
I’m the “Thunder from Down Under.” It’s a reference to my being Australian and my entrance song: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.

Finish the sentence. The Thunder from Down Under models himself after ...
Mike Tyson. Once he gets in close, it’s all about the power.

Any last words for your opponent?
Watch out for the right and keep your head down.

DETAILS

What:Brawl on The Bund

When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 7pm

Where: Hyatt on The Bund | 199 Huangpu Lu

Ticket: Tickets to the event have now sold out