Trading business between punches

This time last year, Michael O’Halloran and Mark Sillman were two of the boxers training for the first Clare Conquest fight night.  Both men had previously boxed and found the return to the sport motivating, energising and familiar. They enjoyed the training, the camaraderie and the welcome return to a fitness they had let slide in recent times.  
In fact, they had never met and had no idea that in their efforts to support local causes, they would form a friendship that would become a business partnership within months. 
As they trained, they recognised that many of their fellow boxers were interested in continuing the training after the charity event, that it was a lifestyle choice that all ages could enjoy and that boxing for fitness was here to stay. 
The seed of a business proposition was sown between punches and after an exciting fight night last November Fitness Boxing Ireland (FBI) came into existence. Mark and Michael undertook a THUMP training course to become boxing instructors and set up FBI.
Now operating out of OZONE Health and Fitness Gym on Mondays and Wednesdays, they have clients from 15 to 55 and cater for all levels from beginners to advanced. 
Apart from the classes they run at OZONE, they’ve been booked by a local GAA club to train teams once a week to maintain a level of fitness off-season.  They also enjoy the support of several of last year’s boxers, who have chosen to continue to keep fit the boxing way.
Meanwhile, the 2011 batch of Clare Conquest boxers returned to training on Bank Holiday Monday, regardless of any holiday excesses they might have succumbed to. 
Most of them had sacrificed all celebrations in their determination to get fit, get tough and get in the ring.  It’s a difficult concept for somebody who has never made a commitment to understand the lengths a person will go to fulfil that pledge.  As the super troopers slogged it out at Gurteen last Monday, they knew the meaning of no pain, no gain.
Indeed, for the past four weeks and for the next month, Michael and Mark are giving a little back. They are now mentoring and training Team Clare Conquest 2011 with Ennis Boxing Club to get them fight fit for November 25 in The Queens venue. 
Tickets for the event are now available at Ennis Chamber, Clare Crusaders and The Queens Hotel.