Agency Wars II: Back in the Ring

By: Kelly Scott

Agency Wars is an annual boxing event that some of Canada’s top advertising, media and creative agencies participate in to fund-raise. All proceeds are given to Ronald McDonald House Toronto.

Men and women from 13 different agencies participated in the event on Jan. 26, at The Arcadian Room in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Kristine Ejem, organizer and sponsor of the event explained how Agency Wars was created.

“Agency Wars was the idea of Michael Clancy of Brandworks and Clancy’s Boxing Academy in Mississauga. He had seen some similar events in the U.S. and here in Toronto that got him motivated to start something in his own industry,” Ejem said. “He is also a boxer and wanted to compete in a more grandiose style, knowing it might be his only fight.”

Clancy, last year’s main event champion, did not fight at this year’s event, but there were a range of people from interns to managers competing for the charity.

While agency co-workers and friends gathered during cocktail hour and dinner, the fighters were upstairs mentally preparing for their individual fights.

The boxers trained for three months, earning a certified license to box. For beginner boxers, Agency Wars II is their first recorded boxing match. Participants represented one of two teams:red and blue.

Chris “Mr. Showtime” Johnson (Head Trainer), Steve “The Canadian Kid” Molitor (Red Team Coach), Logan “The Explosive” McGuiness (Blue Team Coach), and Jason Fisher (Strength and Conditioning Trainer) made up the coaching team.

There was a lot involved in the process of training the boxers to meet the standards in the ring. Fisher worked with the boxers to get them to that level.

“We had different stations they would rotate to, they would box for three minute rounds, and we had to change up the exercises so they didn’t get used to doing the same things over again. It helped improve their strength and conditioning,” Fisher said.

Red team participant, Brianna “Bad Ass” Marshall from Bensimone Byrne, believed Agency Wars offered the right mix of giving back and getting into shape.

“I was intrigued by the fitness aspect, but when I found out it was for the Ronald McDonald House, I thought it was kind of perfect. [It’s] a way to get in shape and it’s for a good cause,” Marshall said.

She is one of eight female fighters who have spent three months preparing during the training process. Courtney “The Crusher” Cameron representing Mindshare and boxer for the red team believes the process was strenuous.

“We’ve been training since the beginning of November and it’s been pretty intense,” she said. “Working out three times a week, doing knuckle push ups on concrete floors, hitting the bags and lots of exercise.”

The current International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight champion Steve Molitor led the red team. With a record of 33 wins and 1 loss, he certainly is a force to be reckoned with.

“I did [Agency Wars] last year, but I bonded with the fighters a lot faster than I did in the previous year. We’re all friends here and it’s just been a great, great experience,” Molitor said.

The boxers and coaches were a close-knit bunch, which helped Molitor to establish his trainer/mentor relationship with all of them in less than three months.

“I just tried to get on a more personal level with them so they would be able to trust me a lot faster, so come fight night we would be ready,” he said.

The women had their own agendas going into the ring, but things don’t always work out the way we intend; as experienced by Denean “The Machine” Graham of Vigorate Digital Solutions on the blue team who lost against her opponent.

“I had this huge plan at the beginning, I knew exactly what I was going to do and what punches I was going to throw and I got in there and none of it came together,” Graham said. “Getting punched in the face and trying to follow through with your plan is not the easiest thing.”

Although eight women were meant to fight, one competitor was unable, due to sickness. Emilia “One in Emilian” Figueiredo, from BOOM! Marketing won her first official boxing win by default and added a point for the blue team.

“Even though I’m not fighting tonight, I’m here to support my blue team and I know they’re all excited about this. I thought it would be great to be here to motivate them and cheer them on,” Figueiredo said.

Figueiredo is still interested in the event and is hoping to return next year.

Agency Wars also raises money through an auction they host halfway through the fights. The two “must-have” items up for bid at the auction were a pair of Maple Leaf tickets that sold for $600 and a pair of boxing gloves with a personalized signature from “The Golden Boy”, Oscar De La Hoya that sold for $500.

So what’s in store for Agency Wars in 2012?

“Michael called out the top-level executives of the advertising world to put their gloves on for charity. Now as an established event he wants the VP’s (vice presidents) and presidents to step up!” said Ejem.

Ejem, founder of Girls Just Wanna Box was inspired to participate in Agency Wars because of her own passion for boxing, having competed herself over four years ago.

“I am creating Girls Just Wanna Box as a lifestyle brand for women, including boxing gear, apparel and programs customized for us and our needs,” she said. “A brand that encourages women who need to step it up as well as a goal to get them there.”

Ejem is hoping to expand Agency Wars to invite different aspects of Toronto, like people who work for downtown bars and clubs, into the boxing ring.

With the help of Agency Wars, $29.5 million has already been raised for Ronald McDonald House Toronto.