'Council leader boxing at 60? It's never been done'

He’s more used to verbal sparring, but the leader of Dudley Council is getting ready to rumble in the boxing ring in a bid to raise more than £30,000 for charity.

Conservative Patrick Harley has lost six-stone (38.1kg) in an 11-month rigorous exercise regime for the fight, which takes place on 21 August.

Harley says to put on the gloves for six one-minute rounds is “a bucket list tick”, adding “this has never been done before, a council leader boxing for charity at the age of 60”.

His opponent Shaz Saleem, a former councillor and charity founder, says he’s looking forward to “landing a punch for the community”.

Admitting some apprehension stepping in to the ring given his age, Harley suggested a rigorous training regime could be the difference against an opponent 20 years younger.

“I have trained really hard since September, six days a week with a combination of sparring and cardio,” he explained.

‘Brave thing to do’

Harley has been put through his paces a stone’s throw from the council house at Priory Park Boxing Gym, under the expert eye of Paul Gough who has more than 30 years of experience.

Gough said the effort the council leader had put into training was admirable, but only time would tell if it was enough.

“It is a brave thing to do” he said. “He’s had to lose quite a bit of weight which he’s done.

“It’s okay doing it in the gym, but you have to do it when it counts, which is on the night and that is the tough part of it.”

Shaz Saleem says his right hand will be representing “the right hand of the community” during the bout [BBC]

Saleem said “at first I thought he was crazy, we’re 100 years old between us”.

However, when Harley approached him he felt the opportunity was too good to pass up.

“It’s the leader of the council versus a community champion raising thousands of pounds,” Saleem added.

Of course, no fight of this magnitude would be right without the obligatory trash talk, with Saleem getting the words in first.

“Patrick Harley, when you see this right hand coming for you, It will not be the right hand of Shaz Saleem, no no, this right hand will be the hand of the community coming at you,” he warned.

Harley meanwhile has been channelling his inner Muhammad Ali when asked for some words for his opponent, before accepting he may have to stick to the day job.

“His name is Saleem, but on the 21st he won’t look so mean, when I go in there and completely clean,” he said.

The fight will be staged at Dudley Town Hall, with proceeds going to the 2026 Mayoral Charities including Friends of Alfie Johnson and Brierley Hill Baby Bank.

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