Executive Fight Night XIII: Fighting For a Cause, Fighting For Courage

Images from Executive Fight Night XII in 2024 courtesy of Shine On! Kids

Tokyo’s premier white-collar boxing event is back for its 13th edition, and this year promises to be bigger, better and more inspiring than ever. The Grand Hyatt Tokyo will once again host Executive Fight Night XIII, continuing its long-standing support for EFN. Thanks to its convenient location, state-of-the-art facilities and the rare willingness to host a full-sized boxing ring in its elegant ballroom, the Grand Hyatt provides the perfect backdrop for this high-energy, black-tie gala. Guests can look forward to a spectacular four-course dinner while enjoying non-stop beverages. This includes craft beers poured on-site by Baird Beer.

This year, the EFN team has upped the ante with 10 bouts, an increase made possible by a surge in eager Tokyoites ready to step into the ring for a good cause. Post-pandemic, the appetite for new challenges and meaningful experiences has only grown. EFN has responded by expanding the lineup to give more fighters the chance to shine.

Games, Auctions and Tokyo-Exclusive Prizes

As always, attendees will have more than just boxing matches to get excited about. EFN offers an interactive digital game where guests can make tax-deductible donations to “bet” on the outcomes of each fight. Prizes await both the evening’s biggest donor and the most accurate predictor. There will also be a live auction with some special prizes, including:

• Private training session with Japanese boxing legend Shinsuke Yamanaka followed by a sushi dinner
• Trip to Dubai for two, with business class return flights Emirates and three nights in the beautiful Banyan Tree Dubai
• Three-night stay for you and a group of friends or family at Sila Island Resort. A totally private, sustainable, barefoot luxury boutique resort with no other guests but YOU!
• Sparkling diamonds by Alok Rakyan
• Luxurious stay in the Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo

In addition, the event’s popular raffle will offer even more opportunities to win exciting prizes on the night.

The Making of a Fighter for Executive Fight Night 

The journey for EFN fighters is as inspiring as the event itself. Overseen by Club 360, a Hiroo-based fitness, wellness and boxing center co-founded by EFN co-creator Nathan Schmid. The program begins with open tryouts in February. After a series of cuts, 20 fighters are selected and divided into red and blue teams, each led by an experienced boxing coach.

Many participants are new to boxing and balance demanding day jobs with evening training sessions. Over three intense months, they commit to a rigorous regimen of fitness, diet and discipline, pushing themselves far beyond their comfort zones. To ensure safety, fighters wear larger gloves and protective headgear, and a full medical team is on standby during the event.

Fighting for a Noble Cause Across Japan

At the heart of Executive Fight Night (EFN) is a powerful connection between the fighters and the young patients they are supporting. Through Shine On! Kids’ inspiring “Fighters Meet Fighters” event, boxers have the chance to meet children battling cancer and other serious illnesses across Japan, as well as some of the organization’s beloved Hospital Facility Dogs. 

“Connecting our kids with our fighters is a key aspect of the event and part of what makes it so inspiring for the fighters and the kids,” says Kimberly Forsythe, President of Shine On! Kids. “Our kids are always being told ‘Ganbatte!’ in the hospital by family and friends as they go through their treatment journey. But this is a chance for them to say “Ganbatte!” to someone else—the fighters who are raising money through Shine On! Kids.  

The connections between boxers and the kids they’re fighting for often acts as an added boost to push fighters through the toughest parts of training. “All of our fighters comment on how inspired they are through the connection with the kids,” says Kimberly. You can see a video of the event here.

Funds raised at EFN go directly to Shine On! Kids’ groundbreaking Hospital Facility Dog program, which places specially trained dogs alongside nurse handlers to provide daily support at children’s hospitals in Japan. These remarkable dogs assist young patients through medical procedures, aid in rehabilitation activities and bring much-needed comfort during long hospital stays. While demand for this program in Japanese children’s hospitals continues to grow. Thanks in large part to the ongoing support from EFN fighters, donors and attendees.

Over the years, EFN has become a staple of Tokyo’s social calendar. It is attracting members of the international business and expat communities. While many guests come to cheer on a friend or colleague, the event’s reach extends far beyond one night. As a result numerous attendees have gone on to become long-term supporters of Shine On! Kids, both personally and through their companies.

Get Involved

Experience the electrifying atmosphere of EFN in person. Make a donation to support the cause or get involved as a volunteer—every contribution makes a difference. Tickets are in high demand and often sell out quickly, so early booking is recommended. You can also pledge your support to a fighter or by volunteering to help out on the night of the event itself.

For more information, tickets and ways to support, visit the Executive Fight Night website or reach out directly to Shine On! Kids at kim@sokids.org.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of an extraordinary evening of courage, camaraderie and compassion, only at Executive Fight Night XIII.