Fundraiser set to become new attraction at Asia's entertainment capital

(Macao, July 19, 2014) – Macao's inaugural white-collar boxing fight-night, sponsored by Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, the Cotai Ring Club and Macao Fitness, took place at The Venetian Macao on Friday, 18 July, and raised over MOP300,000. Net proceeds from the charity dinner, which included silent and live auctions, lucky draws, and money generated from donation boxes at the event will be donated to the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program, which aims at helping Macau Special Olympics (MSO) athletes improve their health and fitness.

“Mayhem in Macao” marked the debut of the world's fastest growing corporate contact sport in the Asian entertainment capital.

A sell-out audience of over 700 cheered the combatants at the glamorous black-tie fundraiser for the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program in Macao. An athlete representative from the Macau Special Olympics, Selina Ao Ieong, delivered a speech to express gratitude for the organisers, sponsors, boxers and participants of “Mayhem in Macao.”

“After joining the Special Olympics, all the services and assistance that I require in different stages of my life have been provided. Donations to the Healthy Athletes Program will enable the Macau Special Olympics to provide health checks for the athletes, and can also provide subsidies for those who require medical assistance, so as to improve their health conditions and enhance their quality of life,” she said. “I hereby thank the organisers, sponsors, white-collar professionals and participating guests of this boxing event for their efforts and attendance, which has given us tremendous support and encouragement.”

This event was staged by Shanghai-based events company, China Sports Promotions (www.chinasportspromotions.com), following hugely successful sell-out events across China, including “Brawl On The Bund” in Shanghai and “Brawl On The Wall” in Beijing.

“Mayhem in Macao” featured nine amateur boxing clashes between 18 white-collar professionals who trained for three months before their first fights. Professional auto racer Ma Qinghua and Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach were among those who showed up to watch the exciting action, which was kicked off by world-famous ring announcer Michael Buffer, delivering his signature “Let's Get Ready to Rumble” trademark phrase.

Winners included:

Rawat Pankaj - Rawat  “Raw Punch” Pankaj, 66kg

Jonathan Ordona - Jonathan “Lock and Load” Ordona, 74kg

Thomas Taw - Tommy “Gun” Taw, 79kg

Zhen She - Zhen She, 77kg

Pedro Theotonio - Pedro “Theo” Theotonio, 78.5kg

Olivier  Bonard - Olivier “Too Hard” Bonard, 87kg

Mark Daniels - Mark “The Dentist” Daniels, 82kg

Dominic Masters - Dominic “The Red Dragon” Masters, 87kg

Joshua Stone - Joshua “The Rolling” Stone, 107kg

Jonathan Ordona of Sands Cotai Central said: “I'm happy with the results. My opponent was a great fighter, and also the eldest participant of the event. I fully respect him as a fighter, and hope to keep training to keep up to this fitness level.”

The event is now set to become an annual social highlight on the Macao entertainment calendar.

“We are delighted to sponsor Macao's first-ever white-collar boxing event, which has successfully brought together dedicated contenders both from Macao and abroad, and also helped raise funds for a good cause,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. “Mayhem in Macao was another exciting sports event at The Venetian Macao that further diversified Macao's entertainment offerings, reinforcing its reputation as Asia's premier entertainment destination.”

China Sports Promotions founder Shane Benis said: “I was extremely happy to see this glamorous and fun community event succeed in Macao! We saw several exciting fights tonight and my fight of the evening definitely goes to Joshua Stone from Shanghai and Ciaran Carruthers from Macao. With 20 years difference between them and varied boxing experiences at different times in their lives, this was the most anticipated fight of the evening, and my, they didn't disappoint!”

In 1988, white-collar boxing originated in the legendary Gleason's Gym in New York. Both men and women in white-collar professions train to fight in special events, and what makes them unique is that most participants have no previous boxing experience.

In 2000, the UK's inaugural white-collar boxing event, “Capital Punishment”, saw a team of Wall Street bankers trading blows with City of London brokers. Since then, over 100 sell-out events have followed, including “Celebrity Boxing” on the BBC in 2003 featuring, among others, British comedians Les Dennis and Ricky Gervais of The Office.

For “Mayhem in Macao,” 13 of the fighters were local contenders, whereas five were from Hong Kong and Shanghai. The 18 amateur white-collar professionals, aged between 20 and 50, received training together for 12 weeks at Man O War Boxing Club Macao prior to the official fight-night.

They were closely matched according to weight, and bouts were mercifully brief, over just three two-minute rounds, with the referee stopping the fight at any stage if safety was compromised. Wearing heavy 16 oz. gloves and protective headgear, groin shields and mouth guards ensured no injuries.

“It's a very safe form of boxing due to the extra care the match officials take during these fights. Thankfully tonight there were no serious injuries once again,” noted Benis.

Participants at “Mayhem in Macao” include executives from major corporations in Macao, and the event was sponsored by Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, the Cotai Ring Club, Macau Moet Hennessy Diageo Macau Ltd., Macao Fitness and Luxe Tuxedo Limited.

Fundraising included a silent auction, live auction and lucky draws to raise money for the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program in Macao. The most exciting item that was auctioned off was the Hublot watch, worth HK$200,000, which was generously donated by Hublot to the event.

Please download the high-res images from:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/si3l32ddkp5ndqp/AAAoRkIOaHTK5jgZ2aE4qJ8Ba

About China Sports Promotions

China Sports Promotions is a Shanghai based events company dedicated to developing the sport of boxing in China. CSP's portfolio of events include the already proven amateur White Collar Boxing China charity fight nights: Brawl On The Bund and Brawl On The Wall. Collectively CSP has raised over USD 300,000 in donations for charity organisations in China through white collar events. In 2013 CSP launched its first professional fight nights called Shanghai Fight Night and has since organized 3 events. In 2014 in addition to launching white collar boxing in Macao, CSP will launch Taipei Fight Night which will be a half white collar boxing half professional boxing fight night. Their focus is now to develop professional boxing where the goal is to provide Chinese based fighters with access to sponsorship for training and career development through both local and international fight nights. Contact info@chinasportspromotions.com for more information.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao's Integrated Resort City

Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia's leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world's largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia's ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit http://en.cotaistrip.com.

About The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program in Macau

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® is a program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness. This leads to an enhanced sports experience and improved well-being.

Athletes receive a variety of health services through clinics conducted in welcoming environments; the program trains health care professionals and students in the health professions about the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities. assisting them to gain confidence and satisfaction in volunteering their skills to help an underserved population. The program collects, analyzes and disseminates data on the health status and needs of people with intellectual disabilities and advocates for improved health policies and programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Since 2005, Macau Special Olympics has introduced the Healthy Athletes program annually to its member athletes. They offer six screening areas including, Fit Feet (podiatry), Fun Fitness (physical therapy), Health Promotions (nutrition, bone density, healthy lifestyles), Healthy Hearing (audiology), Opening Eyes (optometry) and Special Smiles (dentistry).

For more information about the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program, please visit http://www.specialolympics.org/healthy_athletes.aspx.

Distributed on behalf of “Mayhem in Macao” by GHC Asia.

Media Contacts:
GHC Asia
Stephanie Lai (stephanie.lai@ghcasia.com)
Jessica Siu (jessica.siu@ghcasia.com)
Tel: + (852) 2810 0532