Kru Joe Marchand-Tipping, coach at the Fifth Round Martial Arts Academy in Ontario, has promised fireworks when his two boxers step into the ring at Teachers Rugby Fight Night XVI: Relentless.

Nick Hoover, 18, is set for his amateur boxing debut against Andre Lambe, of Rego’s Gym in Warwick, at the Berkeley Institute Gym tomorrow night.

Marchard-Tipping’s wife, Shelby Marchand, a kickboxer, is also preparing for battle when she faces the experienced Talia Iris, who trains with the Bermuda Sanshou Association.

Hoover, primarily a muay thai fighter, became a keen student of boxing while training for his showdown with Lambe, also 18, who is searching for his first victory having lost in his debut at last year’s Fight Night.

“We kicked up our training a lot in preparation for this match,” Marchand-Tipping said.

“Our gym has always been known for exciting fighters and this will be no exception. When we enter the ring you will be sure to see fireworks.

“I’m sure that both [Lambe] and Nick will put on a great match and get the crowd off their feet with excitement.”

Hoover has been watching footage of Micky Ward, whose career was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the film The Fighter, as well as his arch rival Arturo Gatti for inspiration ahead of the bout.

“Fifth Round fighters are very well known for our muay thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu,” Marchand-Tipping added.

“With [Hoover’s] boxing match we want to show that we can produce great boxers as well.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of boxing and have changed some of our training methods to help Nick prepare to only use his hands for strikes.

“With Nick spending so much time at the gym, I gave him a list of names like Micky Ward, Arturo Gatti and told him to YouTube them.

“After studying these boxers, Nick showed interest in competing in boxing and when the call came for him to compete in Bermuda for boxing, he was excited.”

Shelby Marchand, 21 is braced for a thrilling encounter against Iris and has been training full time to hone her skills for the bout.

“I think it’s a great match up for both of these ladies,” Marchand-Tipping said.

“I know [Iris] is an exciting fighter. This fight has given Shelby motivation and she has been training every day in preparation.

“I want to put on a show for the crowd and train my fighters to do that. When Shelby steps into that ring she will be ready to put on an exciting fight.

“Everyone on the team has so much focus and energy right now. It’s a great time for both Nick and Shelby to have these fights.”

Topping the 12-bout bill will be Jermal Woolridge, of the Bermuda Sanshou Association, who will go toe-to-toe with Canada’s Joey Brozovich.

Woolridge won a silver medal at the World Wushu Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last November.

There will also be an all-Bermudian boxing match between Corey Boyce, of Bermuda Karate Institute, and Shannon Ford, of the Bermuda Sanshou Association.

Entry is $50, with VIP tickets priced at $110. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Dante Noel-Simmons Education Fund.

Doors open at 6pm with the action scheduled to get under way at 7pm.