SBC Charity Boxing Championship packs a punch for Oliver’s Wish

The first SBC Charity Boxing Championship, in partnership with Oliver’s Wish Foundation, will see some of the biggest names in the gaming industry going toe-to-toe in the ring to raise thousands of pounds for good causes. 

This unique black tie event, which is supported by the generous headline sponsors NetEnt and Red Tiger, takes place on April 3, 2020, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Park Lane, London. Tables and individual tickets are now available, but are selling quickly.

More than 500 guests will be treated to a champagne reception, gala dinner, celebrity hosts and entertainment, but the most eagerly-anticipated attraction of the night is the action in the boxing ring.

Twelve familiar faces will be transformed from gaming industry executives into kings of the ring when they lace up the gloves and trade blows to raise some much-needed funds for three charities supported by Oliver’s Wish Foundation. 

The card features six evenly-matched three-round bouts: 

  • Leon Thomas (managing director, Microgaming) v Nick Wright (head of group business development, Gamesys)
  • Mark Woollard (director, Pragmatic Solutions) v Bryan Blake (CEO & founder, Hexopay)
  • Sergey Portnov (CEO, Parimatch) v Luke Cousins (igaming advisor, Koneksi)
  • Michael Brady (founder, Bede Gaming) v Tony Plaskow (commercial director, Black Cow Technology)
  • Brandon Walker (development manager, Amelco) v Jan Urbanec (CEO, Endorphina) 
  • Daniel Beard (partner, Partis Solutions) v Vasilije Lekovic (director of gaming, Trustly)

Oliver’s Wish Foundation was founded in memory of Oliver Dowling, who tragically passed away in his sleep in the autumn of 2015. It raises funds for a range of charities that are focused on the support of children and young people.

The money raised by the gaming industry at the SBC Charity Boxing Championship will be distributed to SUDC UK, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Sparks.

Daniel Beard, one of the boxers and a driving force behind the Championship, said: “Oliver’s Wish Foundation is a cause close to my heart and I wanted to do something special and innovative to help it raise funds.

“I thought about training for a white collar boxing fight and getting sponsored to take part, but once I’d mentioned it to a few friends in the gaming industry, it was clear that lots of people wanted to get involved and the idea for the Championship was born.

“The generosity of the industry has been staggering, with people and companies contributing through their time to help organise the event, by getting into the ring to fight, by sponsoring the Championship or by buying tickets. Between them, they will raise a fantastic sum for three very important charities.”

Rasmus Sojmark, chief executive of SBC, said: “We are delighted to support such a great cause by helping to organise the Championship, which promises to be one of the most memorable events of 2020. 

“It’s no surprise to me to see that the gaming industry community has been quick to back Oliver’s Wish Foundation with both their time and money, and I want to thank everyone involved for their generosity.”  

In addition to headline sponsors NetEnt and Red Tiger, companies supporting the SBC Charity Boxing Championship include Blueprint Gaming, Push Gaming, iSoftbet, Roxor Gaming, White Hat Gaming, Ezugi, Microgaming, Hexopay, SBTech, Gamesys, Trustly, Akur Partners, RISQ, Swintt, Onload Media, Receptional, Rokker, Calvin Ayre, Square in the Air, Bede Gaming, Black Cow Technology, Argyll Entertainment and Arubex.

Tables and individual tickets for the SBC Charity Boxing Championship are on sale, but now is the time to book, as they are being snapped up quickly.