Rhys Davies, from Rhostyllen, has stepped into the ring to raise an incredible £11,800 for mental health and cancer charities.
The 46-year-old decided to do so following the tragic death of his 28-year-old nephew, Carl Robinson.
Rhys’ efforts have been recognised after he received the ‘Top Fundraiser of 2025’ award from Ultra White Collar Boxing, after raising more than any of the 17,000 competitors who took part last year.
Rhys took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at Chester Racecourse on November 16 – fighting in front of a crowd of 2,000 to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Rhys’s decision to step into the ring was driven by a personal loss. Last year, his 28-year-old nephew, Carl, tragically passed away after a long struggle with mental health.
On top of this, over the past few years, several members of his family – including his sister, cousin, and grandparents – have been affected by cancer, making both causes profoundly important to him.
Rhys said: “Losing my nephew turned my world upside down. He was only 28 and had so much life ahead of him. I was incredibly close to him, and stepping into the ring felt like something I had to do – not just to honour him, but to help raise awareness and funds so other families might be spared the pain we’ve been through.”
Rhys added: “Cancer has affected so many members of my family and, like mental health, it’s an issue that touches all of us in some way. Supporting cancer charities alongside mental health causes felt incredibly important to me, because these are battles so many families face every day. If raising this money helps fund research or provides support to someone when they need it most, then it means everything.”
Participants like Rhys are given the opportunity to take part in eight weeks of free professional boxing training at gyms, before a showcase event in front of hundreds, or thousands, of spectators.
He trained at Russell Williams Kickboxing under the guidance of Russel Williams himself – a highly respected coach.
Rhys added: “The training was tough – really tough – and I hadn’t done proper sport for a long time. The eight weeks pushed me physically and mentally, but the coaches were brilliant and incredibly supportive throughout.
“I also lost around a stone in the end, felt fitter than I had in years, and it showed me that when you really challenge yourself and commit to something, you’re capable of far more than you think.”
Talking about his experience of stepping into the ring, Rhys added: “The whole day was a blur. I felt a bit nervous ahead of the bout, but when I was walking out to the ring in front of everyone, it was quite an emotional experience and reminded me exactly why I was there.
“Once the bell went, it all went so quickly and felt as if it was over in the blink of an eye. But it was an incredible experience – something I’ll be proud of for the rest of my life.”
Rhys Davies in the ring with other competitors. (Image: Peter Dodgson)
On the night of the contest, Rhys was supported by a group of 10 people, including his siblings, Sian, Dewi, and Eilir; his partner, Helen, who has been his biggest supporter throughout; and a few close friends.
Rhys competed against Gavin Davies, 45, in a closely contested match. He had trained closely with Gavin throughout the training programme, and the two had become good friends, so Rhys was delighted to share the ring with him.
Both contestants gave their all over the course of the three rounds and the contest was declared a draw.
Rhys said: “After the fight, I needed a few minutes to myself to let it all sink in. It was exhausting but exhilarating and I felt proud of what I’d achieved: stepping into the ring, completing the challenge, and raising money for causes that matter so much to me. Looking back, it’s an experience I’ll carry with me forever.”
Participants like Rhys are asked to raise a minimum of £50 for their chosen charity – a target he exceeded by a remarkable amount, raising a total of £11,800, including a significant £10,000 donation from his workplace, Williams Trailers.
Rhys’s efforts earned him a coveted recognition at the Ultra White Collar Boxing annual awards, where he was named Top Fundraiser of 2025, ahead of more than 17,000 participants.
“Receiving the Top Fundraiser award was an amazing feeling”, said Rhys. “I honestly never expected it, and it made me stop and think about all the amazing people who supported me along the way.
“Every donation, every message of encouragement – it all added up to something truly special. I’m so proud to have raised money for causes close to my heart – for mental health, for cancer research, and for my family.”