A proposal and a knockout: What went down at boxing stoush

There were plenty of theatrics at the Gobsmacked Perth Corporate Rumble – but none more glittering than a marriage proposal in the ring.

A sold-out crowd of more than 1000 flocked to Crown Towers’ grand ballroom for the 10th instalment of the Vegas-style white collar boxing stoush.

Thirty rookie boxers went toe-to-toe across 15 nailbiting matches, shedding blood, sweat and tears as a black tie-clad crowd cheered on from the sidelines.

The biggest surprise of the night came after the final, and most anticipated, match of the night between Ronny Harvey and Brezze Hita.

After claiming his win, Harvey’s girlfriend Megan Tilbury came up on stage to congratulate him but got the shock of her life when he bent down on one knee and proposed to her, adding some extra bling to the boxing ring.

Event organiser Glen Austin said it was the first time a contender had popped the question in the rumble’s history.

The audience’s cheers for the engaged couple were deafening and kicked off the after-party, which ran until 1.30am.

The celebrations were well-deserved for the corporate citizens who competed in the fight.

Most had no prior boxing experience and completed an intensive eight-week training regime at Counterbalance Fitness in Booragoon.

They were trained by a team of professional boxers including Austin, whose stellar track record helped him earn the nickname of Perth’s “6 Million Man”.

More than a third of the rookies were women and it was Sarah Cook who earned the prize for “fight of the night” for her technique and transformation.

Another jaw-dropping moment came when Joe D’Ortona suffered a technical knockout within minutes of stepping into the ring with opponent Mason Zuin.

Referees deemed the match could not be continued safely, however D’Ortona did not suffer any lasting injuries.

Money raised during the Gobsmacked Perth Corporate Rumble will benefit The Saba Rose Button Foundation and rehabME Intensive Collective.

The total funds were still being tallied the day after the event.