An Islander preparing to take part in White Collar Boxing is hoping to turn months of intensive training into fundraising in memory of his friend who died following a battle with cancer.
Ralph Coutanche will step into the ring for the first time next month to honour Alex Collier, who died aged 25 in March after a battle with sarcoma.
He is raising money for Jersey Hospice Care, an organisation he describes as “exemplary” for the care and comfort it provides to people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Having never even put on a pair of boxing gloves before joining the training camp, Ralph said he was looking forward to seeing how far he had progressed by fight night.
But while he hopes to emerge victorious from the ring, he said the fundraising effort was about something much bigger than the result.
“I am hoping to leave my fight as a winner, but my training, efforts and heart are entirely committed to using this fight as a platform to help support Jersey Hospice in honour of Alex,” he said.
“Boxing is tough, but it is nowhere near as challenging and as scary as the struggles that those receiving end-of-life care have to go through every single day.”
Ralph met Alex in 2016 when they began studying at Highlands College.
Ralph studied Performing Arts and played bass guitar in the college band, while Alex was more interested in acting and dance.
They became part of a close-knit friendship group whose breaks often involved trips to Grand Marché for snacks and Coca-Cola, followed by card games and conversations about television.
Some of Ralph’s fondest memories are of building Yu-Gi-Oh decks and playing against Alex, who was notoriously difficult to beat.
True strength doesn’t come from a clenched fist, but an open heart
Ralph Coutanche
Having lost two friends to cancer over the past seven years, Ralph chose to support the Hospice because of the comfort and care it offers patients and families.
“During such an unimaginably difficult time, they provide comfort and care to those in need, and their crucial work cannot be praised enough,” he said.
Ralph’s route into boxing began with a decision to improve his health at 23, when he started lifting weights and prioritising his diet, exercise and sleep.
Bodybuilding became a passion, but an interest in combat sports remained. Inspired by friends and acquaintances who had taken part in White Collar Boxing, he signed up.
His nine-week training camp involves more than four sessions a week, alongside running and hours spent preparing meals each weekend.
“When I started at the training camp, I had never so much as put on a pair of boxing gloves,” he said. “But with each passing session I grow more confident and competent.”
His fundraiser had reached just over £900 when he spoke to Express, surpassing his original £600 target.
“If there was one message I would want to send to the world through this fundraising effort, it would be that true strength doesn’t come from a clenched fist, but an open heart,” he said.
“Regardless of how the fight goes, the real champions will be the staff of Jersey Hospice, who work effortlessly to make those of us at our most vulnerable feel comfortable and cared for.”
DONATE…
You can donate to Ralph’s fundraiser online.
