Comedians come to blows...

Northern Ireland stand-ups in charity boxing bouts

Some of Northern Ireland’s top comedians are to ‘knock the bollix out of each other’ in a charity boxing event

Paddy McDonnell, Micky Bartlett and Shane Todd are among the comics taking to the ring in the Valentine's Day Massacre at Ulster Hall on February 11.

It follows a similar event in 2016, when English-based comics including Bobby Mair, Gavin Webster, Carl Donnelly and Troy Hawke took part in a series of bouts in Blyth, Nothumberland, organised by Kai Humphries – and the continuing success of The Wrestling, which will next be staged as part of the Just For Laughs London festival at The O2 in March.

The line-up for the Belfast event is:

Paddy McDonnell vs. Ronan Boyle
Shane Todd vs. Johnny Bow
Micky Bartlett vs. Mark McCarney
Sean Hegarty vs. Pete Giffen
Sara Jade Davison vs. Heather Anderson
James McKegney vs. Ian Thompson
Sean McAleevy vs. Darren Matthews
Rachel McPeake vs. Claire Corrigan

The sold-out event will also feature appearances from other comics including Ciaran Bartlett, Aaron McCann, Tommy McCarthy and William Thompson.

It will be raising money for the PIPS suicide prevention charity, and tickets have already sold out – although there is talk of a livestream.

Todd said the event’s popularity was because ‘a lot of people want to see us get knocked out’.

He told the Belfast Telegraph the group had been inspired by YouTuber Jake Paul’s boxing bouts.

He said: ‘The stand-up scene’s really well supported here, but seeing people out of their comfort zone — which we all are — just adds something different.

‘After the bell, we can share a joke but in the ring, in the heat of battle there’s no time for that.’

Here are some of the comics talking about the upcoming showdown:

WATCH: Some of Northern Ireland's best comedians are set to fight each other next month and it's all to raise money for @PipsCharity.

In a hilarious face off, our reporter @jamesgould23 spoke to some competitors ahead of fight night on the 11th February at the Ulster Hall. pic.twitter.com/fnqt5CaejL
— Cool FM News (@newsoncool) January 6, 2023