TWO FRIENDS who went toe-to-toe in the boxing ring have raised hundreds of pounds for a children’s charity.

Businessmen Joe Djeeebt and Nathan Moore put aside their longstanding friendship to square up to each other in a white collar boxing bout in aid of the Cheeky Kids Foundation.

They took to the ring as part of an international fight night at Weymouth Pavilion involving Thai boxers and kickboxers from Weymouth martial arts centre’s King Tiger gym.

In front of a crowd of around 600 people, the pair slugged it out for three rounds before Mr Moore, owner of Premier Windows, was declared the winner on points.

Windowman owner Mr Djeebet was gracious in defeat and said he enjoyed the occasion and the chance to raise funds for the local children’s charity.

He said: “We haven’t got an exact figure on how much we’ve raised yet but it’s probably about £300.

“It was a really good night and everyone had a really good time, the atmosphere was electric. It was great fun and one of the best nights I have had in my life.”

It was a step into the unknown for both men, neither of whom had boxed before, and they spent six weeks in intensive training to gear up for the big night.

Mr Djeebet said: “Nathan was obviously pleased to win – he kept to his tactics very well and I didn’t really get going.”

Mr Djeebet added that the pair had both entered into the spirit of the event and their friendship was still very much intact after the fight.

He said: “We’re still the best of mates.”

The Cheeky Kids Foundation was set up in January last year with the aim of raising money to support local children.