The first event of its kind last year sold out within five minutes, with the ‘Valentine’s Day Massacre’ raising over £17,000 for the PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland organisation.
Comedians box it out for Children’s Cancer Unit
All proceeds from this year’s event, which will take place on June 26, will go to the Children’s Cancer Unit — including ticket sales and pay-per-view purchases.
Shane Todd is one of the headliners again for this year’s Comedians’ Charity Boxing at Belfast’s Ulster Hall, and has also been one of the initiative’s organisers.
He will face fellow comic Sean Hegarty in an exciting bout, and has encouraged fans at home to dig deep for charity and tune in to the live stream on the night.
“Luckily this year — much like last year — the actual event sold out in an hour,” Todd said.
Jazmynne Sierra and Claire Corrigan at the Comedians’ Charity Boxing launch. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
“In fact, it was pretty much instant. I think we crashed the Ulster Hall website. This time, we’re putting the link out now and putting an early bird discount on it as well. Then you can watch it in the comfort of your own home.
“If we continue to do this every year, we’ll keep finding other great causes. There are so many of them, you just want to be able to help them all, and this year it is the Children’s Cancer Unit.”
The 2023 event saw stand-ups Ciaran Bartlett and William Thompson entertain the crowds further between bouts, with west Belfast native Bartlett singing his classic comedy tunes and Thompson attempting the stereotypical boxing role of ‘ring girl’.
Claire Corrigan and Jazmynne Sierra at the launch of the Comedians’ Charity Boxing night
While audiences are in for plenty of laughs again next month, Todd noted that there will still be plenty of athletic and technical skills on show too. “We had genuinely no idea it would be as popular as it has become,” he said.
“We knew it would be entertaining, but it was a good night of boxing. All the fights were really good.”
Darren Matthews from Bessbrook, Co Armagh also fought on last year’s show, and will this year take on a new opponent in Magherafelt funnyman, James McKegney.
”I fought in one of the earlier fights [last year] so that we could start drinking earlier, and I won, so we’re doing that again this year,” he said.
Shane Todd at the Comedians’ Charity Boxing launch. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
“We’re going to ask hopefully to go on earlier, and then me and McKegney can get on a few beers after we have taken the heads off each other for three rounds.
“At the end of the day, everything we’re doing is for the Children’s Cancer Unit, and I’ve been beaten up for free before, so why not do it for a worthwhile cause instead?
“I think James’ breakfast this morning was a cigarette, so I’m not too worried.
“We all have a month left [of training], so this is ramping up now. The event is long sold out, it’s now getting people to watch the stream, and raise a lot of money! It’s going to be a brilliant night.”
Viewers at home can watch the entire event live on the streaming link here: https://www.glistrr.com/events/e/comedians-charity-boxing-ppv-2976-195
