A new concept in stress management sport returns to Galway this month and a number of Galway Independent staff are going to be among those that will be fighting fit by December. Hilary Martyn reports.

Galway people tired of hitting the traffic at rush-hour, the gym at peak times or the bar as the mob descends could be tempted to hit each other in an effort to relieve the stresses and strains of modern life.

It was brought to Ireland by ex-Olympic boxer Cathal O’Grady, who saw it as perfect for people looking for a new challenge, to relive stress and build confidence through an intense training and fitness programme. Current programmes include White Collar Boxing for men and Million Dollar Baby training for women. All the programmes are based on a professional boxer’s training regimen with some modifications. For those who are up for it, there is a White Collar Boxing event at the end of the ten-week programme, where participants can display their newfound pugilistic skills.

The philosophy of White Collar Boxing is that in order to get the full benefits of boxing, the training should reflect that of a professional fighter. These are not aerobic or circuit boxing classes; it’s professional boxing training, tailored for each individual.

"We at White Collar Boxing strive to bring the benefits of boxing to a new audience. We believe that boxing can help individuals in their everyday lives," says Cathal.

"We have several different programmes available for people of all athletic backgrounds. In Galway, we have partnered with trainers Pete Foley and Dave Conlon of Black Dragon Kickboxing, who have been training champions in Ireland for the past 20 years. We can design a programme for novices, or for those more serious about boxing," says Cathal.

This, he says, does not mean drinking raw eggs and hitting sides of beef; it means the organisers hold the same standards they expect from a professional fighter. Participants will have to adhere to a regular training schedule, eat intelligently, drink responsibly and live wisely.