ULVERSTON rugby players are ready to swap their shoulder pads for boxing gloves and get in the ring in the name of charity.

Several of the Dragley Beck club's squad will be in action at the sell-out show at Coronation Hall on Saturday, November 18.

Fighters have been getting into shape at professional boxer Ryan Watson's Marton gym, and the referee on the night will be former Barrow Raiders favourite and mixed martial arts star Brett McDermott.

The annual boxing event is always a big hit, and this year's show promises to be no different, with the biggest winner being Macmillan Nurses and Joe's First Steps, the two chosen charities.

Ulverston RL chairman Nigel Atkinson said: “On completion of this year's event, our club will have given £15,000 to local charities and continued to keep the rugby club financially secure.

“This is something we are very proud of as we are only an amateur club, but with help of the Coronation Hall team we have managed to pull it together.”

The club are grateful to the many sponsors who back the event, with the main sponsor, for the fifth year running, being Derek Birkby, of DEL.

“His kind sponsorship, along with the many fight sponsors and table sponsors, are also key to the success,” said Atkinson.

“We also have a team who give their time freely like our medical team, Marc Coulson, of Furness Physio First, and Dr Josh Callan, our referee Brett McDermott, the coaches and also the use of Ryan Watson's boxing gym.”

Fight cards will be sold on the door to support the two charities, at a cost of £10 each.

Added Atkinson: “Let's not forget the guys who do the hard bit in the ring. These athletes have really got themselves in peak condition, well most of them, without them we don't have an event.”

The provisional line-up is as follows: Andrew Benson v Reegan Harrison; Che Robert Smith v Dinga Bell; Lewis Seeds v Jack Holmes; Paul Woodburn v Josh Rankin; Scotty Houston v Brad Williamson; Eric Hill v Jarty Robinson; Thomas Spedding v Mike Cape; Neil Atkinson v Mike Worrall.