A former Bedford Modern School student smashed his fundraising target when he took part in a charity fight night at Leeds University.
18-year-old Tom Leahy is in his first year of an aerospace engineering degree and took part in the Wilder Student Fight Night in aid of the Oddballs Foundation.
The event took place in December and pitted 24 fighters against each other in 12 three-round bouts.
“I do a charity challenge once a year to push myself, and boxing seemed like the ultimate challenge,” said Tom.
“The whole experience was memorable and nothing more so than joining a couple of hundred other students on the five-kilometre fun run around inner Leeds wearing just our Oddballs Foundation underpants. That was quite something.”
Tom went on to sell 25 tickets for the event in addition to raising £775 for the charity, which was the highest raised by all the competitors.
“The boxing was for real and was an amazing experience,” he said, describing his bout against his 23-year-old opponent as “exhilarating and entralling”.
“The six weeks of training at a local Leeds gym was hard to say the least, gruelling even. During my bout, I just kept going against a background of deafening noise from the crowd.
“I didn’t win, but I’m told I got some good shots to both body and head, including apparently some effective combinations.
“I learnt a lot about myself, and I’m proud to have supported Oddballs, a good cause which raises awareness of testicular cancer.
“The whole experience opened my eyes to just how tough and courageous boxers are. I’m looking into options to continue boxing alongside rugby. Meanwhile, I’m loving student life in Leeds. It’s a safe and welcoming place to start adult life.”
Tom took part in several training sessions with Bedford-based boxing coach, Josh Anderson.
“Thomas pushed himself hard in training, soaking up as much knowledge as possible in a short amount of time,” said Josh.
“He stepped up his conditioning and technique and gave his all in the ring showing heart even in defeat.”
Talking about the Wilder Student Fight Nights, founder ‘Wilder’ Sal Sinawi, 37, said: “We began our fundraising fight nights in Durham in 2021, and in 2025 we staged two events in Leeds, which were both efficiently organised by students themselves.
“Tom and the other 23 fighters are to be commended for their efforts and we’re proud that the Leeds events raised £24,000 for The Oddballs Foundation.”
