Josh Stone (right) and John Graham Harper fighting their hearts out Photo: David Fox

Sunday fights at Aboro Academy have the audience thrilled. Photo: David Fox

Last Sunday, 350 expats and locals crowded into Aboro Academy, a boxing gym in Jing'an district, to watch 14 amateur fighters step into the ring and do battle. All the contenders had spent months training for the event which, as well as being a thrilling display of courage and skill, also raised tens of thousands of yuan for the Aboro Foundation, which helps young disadvantaged local people.

The Global Times was ringside and afterwards sought the reactions of organizers, competitors and spectators - including Josh Stone and John Graham Harper, who faced each other in the gripping headline bout that topped off the day.

Michele Aboro, head boxing coach, the UK

Michele Aboro, head boxing coach, the UK

Everybody fought their hearts out. They gave up time, gave up going out and getting drunk, and came here and trained basically every day, which was amazing as it was all for charity.

Because I was the referee for every single fight and I knew the people, I could see if anyone was in a precarious situation and I could stop the fight if I thought there was a problem. Nobody was pushed into doing this, and if they wanted to do this they had to train. If they didn't train properly, we wouldn't let them fight.

The Aboro Foundation is about getting work placements for young Chinese kids who have a passion for sport but are poorly educated and from disadvantaged backgrounds. We get them here, get them talking English and get them international personal training certification. Sport managed to open doors for me, and I truly believe it has the seeds to put people in the right place. People have this idea of boxing as being violent and aggressive, but really you come out of it quite calm, able to control your anger and frustration and put it in the right place.

Josh Stone, contender, the UK

Josh Stone, contender, the UK

I have been boxing for about a year and a half. Preparation for this fight was a bit more relaxed as I had done two events in the past. I maintained the intensity of the training, however I focused more on technique.

I didn't know John at all in the run-up to the fight, and my friends in the crowd were concerned when the big man stepped into the ring.

Before the fight I was very relaxed. I had a game plan in mind and I knew if I stuck to it I would get the win. Boxing is mental as much as physical.

When the result was announced, I was elated. To me that was one of my better bouts and John pushed me all the way. To get the win in front of everyone was very special.

John Graham Harper, contender, Australia

John Graham Harper, contender, Australia

I've been boxing for only two years. I am a wrestler and went from that to MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) where I was strong on the ground - coaches were telling me to develop my stand-up so I went into boxing and kind of left MMA and wrestling.

I travel a lot and have a business to attend to but I train as often as possible.

The run-up to the fight was a bit of a mess. I was supposed to come at 5 pm but couldn't get a cab until 5:30, and then only because I paid the guy 100 yuan ($16.14)! I didn't have time to warm up and go through the fight plan, so I switched to "John the Beast Mode" and went for a scrap. My mistake, next time I will be extra early!

Nathan Fischbacher, MC, Canada

Nathan Fischbacher, MC, Canada

I was very happy to host and really enjoyed it. MC-ing in two languages is a real challenge. It is pretty rewarding because you get to be right at the center of the event. I mean, I'm standing there with world champion pugilist and philanthropist Michele Aboro and all these brave fighters and all I have to do is grab a microphone.

The whole day was a blast, but the last two bouts were really amazing. The very last one in particular. These guys were ready to eat each other alive at the start of the match but the instant the final bell rang they ripped off their headgear and hugged. That was cool to see.

David Fox, event photographer, the US

David Fox, event photographer, the US

The photography challenges were mostly technical since there wasn't quite enough light for capturing an event with such fast action. I love photography and getting to shoot such a great event just doubles the enjoyment.

This event gave me a greater appreciation for the athletes and the sport. Being in that environment also inspires me to achieve greater physical fitness in general.

The final bout was the highlight. Two skilled combatants who gave it their all and made it exciting. Good stuff.

Matt Clarke, film producer, the UK

Matt Clarke, film producer, the UK

The charity work that Michele and her foundation do is admirable and it was wonderful to see it so well supported by the local and expat community. Aboro Academy is an atmospheric venue for boxing and it was great to see it packed to the rafters with fight fans. The fights themselves were a lot of fun. We saw knockdowns, technical knockouts, hard-fought decisions and a dislocated shoulder - all topped off with a bruising heavyweight fight to headline the bill. I look forward to the next event!

Harauld "Ox" Sextus, multimedia artist and baker, France

Harauld "Ox" Sextus, multimedia artist and baker, France

Unfortunately I only saw a technical knockout and a bit of kick boxing as I was busy selling goodies from my small bakery, so that people would have more energy to cheer.

There was a great sense of community that day. It wasn't a "laowai" gathering as more than 40 percent of the people were from China.

I'd been doing martial arts since I was 12 but for health reasons I had to stop a year ago. But the way of the budo is still in me. It's all about how one can discover his or herself and go beyond basic boundaries.