A hedge fund fight night in Britain inspired Rob Derry, managing director of Ironmonger Events, to launch a similar event in Hong Kong.
'I liked the idea of white-collar boxing, training hedge fund managers and bankers to box over a six-month period and then creating rivalry by pitching company against company,' Derry says.
The Hedge Fund Fight Nite has become a regular fixture on the financial industry calendar in Hong Kong and this year attracted sponsorship from wine and spirits distributor Links Concept and information provider Thomson Reuters.
More than 700 guests turned up to the charity black-tie event to witness the final 12 bankers and hedge fund managers battle it out in a purpose-built boxing ring at Happy Valley racecourse. About HK$850,000 was raised for Operation Smile and Operation Breakthrough.
Operation Breakthrough treated guests to a dance performance by a group of young women offenders who had gone through the charity's rehabilitation programme and put their energy into dance.
'The night was fantastic. Yet again we received a great turnout and guests were very generous when it came to the auction,' Derry says.