Twelve weeks, 27 fighters, 12 match-ups, one night: Agency Wars is back. The third annual boxing tournament is set to rock Arcadian Court in Toronto on Dec. 5 to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House Toronto and NABS. A crowd of brave volunteers from Canada’s marketing and media industry endured a rigorous training regimen and strict assessments from some of Canada’s top boxers. That initial group was cut down to 27 “lucky” combatants, who were broken into two teams – Red and Blue – to take part in a grueling three-month program, readying their minds and bodies for the big night.
Leading up to the event, Marketing is profiling the men and women who’ve shed blood, sweat and tears to help out two charities. What makes someone step in the ring? Read on and find out.
Melyssa Wright – Red Team
Job Title: Search Specialist
Company: PHD
Nickname: Golden Guns
Why did you decide to take part?
I like to exceed the expectations others have of me and the expectations I have of myself, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to see how far I could push myself physically.
What’s the toughest part of training been?
Staying motivated and committed. By far, this is the toughest thing I’ve ever done – I’ve never been so committed to anything as much in my life. It’s been tough working out every night and putting everything else in my life on hold. I basically don’t do anything else, and even if I do have a free night, which is rare, I’m exhausted and I just want to stay in.
What do you like about the training?
I like the physical challenge and the conditioning. I love seeing the changes in my body and my fitness. I’m a bit high strung and anxious, and I find that when you are boxing you are highly focused and you can’t think of anything else except what you are doing, so it really allows me to de-stress and focus.
What message do you have for your opponent?
To quote Mike Tyson: I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and vicious and most ruthless there’s ever been. There’s no one can stop me. My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want her heart! I want to eat her children!
Andrea Agopian – Blue Team
Job Title: Office Services Administrator
Company: Grip Ltd.
Nickname: A-Bomb
Why did you decide to take part?
Because it is helping to raise money for a great cause and I can show off my passion for success. I’ve never boxed, thought of boxing, or dreamt of being in a ring, but I’m ready to do this.
What’s the toughest part of training been?
Pushing my body to the extreme and holding the mental strength to complete each training session and say I gave it my all. The training is exhausting and you have to tell yourself you can finish, just to get through it.
What do you like about the training?
I love working with our amazing coaches and learning the sport of boxing. Our coaches have been incredible with mentoring us and giving our team a lot of personal experiences and stories that are not only teaching us the art of boxing, but are teaching us to become stronger people individually, which is what I really like.
What message do you have for your opponent?
I really have nothing personal against Melyssa. I just want to see if I can fit my glove into her mouth.
