Novices in the noble art have been trading blows in preparation for fight night.

And the 26 have-a-go puglists have been receiving expert tuition at Kane Academy martial arts gym, Marsh.

The wannabe boxers will undergo eight weeks of training before the big fight, organised by White Collar Gladiators, at Huddersfield Leisure Centre, on March 5.

The event will raise money for Promise Dreams, a charity which grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children.

Leading the training is Kane Academy owner and martial arts expert Rebecca Kane.

White collar boxing training at the Kane academy gym, St James's Road, Marsh. Shayan Shayegani (COR) (right) in training for his fight.

Rebecca is a champion in Filipino martial arts, karate and Thai boxing.

She said: “They’ve taken to it really well.

“They don’t do hard sparring – they’re just building up their fitness.

“We’re just getting them used to the ring because the ring is a confined space and people do panic when they’re first confronted with it.”

White collar boxing has come under criticism for its lack of safety; the practice of putting under-trained competitors in the ring carries a risk.

But Rebecca says she’s training the fighters for something more than a slugfest.

White collar boxing training at the Kane academy gym, St James's Road, Marsh. Reza Dehghani (COR) (left) in training.

Rebecca, who was a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics, said: “I tend to match people and if I can train them not for the knockout, but for scoring points it’s better.

“They use 16oz gloves and headguards so that improves the safety.

“I try to teach them that you’re not competing against each other, you’re competing against yourself.”

Among the white collar boxers is swimming trunks wearing prankster Shayan Shayegani, aka Speedo Shy.

White collar boxing training at the Kane academy gym, St James's Road, Marsh. Shayan Shayegani (COR) (left) in training for his fight.

Speedo, 22, said: “I love looking for great ways to help raise money for charity because I like to help others when I can.

“I believe it’s your purpose in life to give to others with every opportunity possible, even if it’s in the ring.”

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Fellow trainee Reza Dehghani, who boxed competitively in his native Iran, said: “I love to box and I’m happy I can return to boxing in the UK.”

Reza, 34, added: “I’m so excited to find this gym and I want to start training here because I’ve got the perfect coach, Rebecca."