After 12 weeks of training, it was Rodney Zarif’s turn to step into the ring during the Battle of the Businesses boxing tournament at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 20 April.

Zarif could give both Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa a run for their money. The father of three, and manager at KD Cellars in Kiama Downs, who got involved with the Battle of the Businesses purely on a whim, won by technical knockout (TKO) inside the first round.

“It was a very successful event and especially for myself,” says Zarif, whose fight on the night was upgraded to a belt fight.

The event, which raised money for the i98FM Illawarra Convoy, had its first outing last year and became an instant success.

There were 40 businesses battling it out, including Rebecca Moystn of Mostyn Legal, Steve Lozenkovski from Bears Auto Group, Tiarna Katrivesis from Fitness Express Shellharbour and Rob Mitchell from A Class Building.

The Battle of the Businesses boxing tournament was sponsored by Tiny Tins, Wollongong Crane Trucks and Grechys Boxing & Fitness.