Selma Masood set to raise more than £20,000 through white collar boxing
A Manchester-based Hong Kong lawyer is stepping into the boxing ring for a third time in a bid to raise more than £20,000 for children’s charities.
Selma Masood, who is 45, won her first white-collar boxing event in 2012 in Hong Kong. After moving to Manchester just over a year ago, she decided to take on another boxing challenge, joining the White Collar Fighter (WCF) boxing programme.
After eight weeks of intense training, Selma won her second fight in July 2023. Raising an incredible £10,800 for Save the Children International, Selma has been inspired to box again in September 2023. The money raised at this event will support World Child Cancer with £12,888 already in the pot.
Commenting on the drivers behind her fighting again, Selma said: “I’ve had a tough few years and boxing has really helped me mentally, emotionally and physically. Although the WCF training and fights are challenging, the whole experience is very empowering. The programme has made me feel more confident and stronger, while giving me the chance to meet new friends, and most importantly raise money for great causes.
“I’m lucky to have a lot of amazing people in my corner who have been my pillar of strength and support. Thanks to their generosity, I’ve been able to raise more than I ever imagined. My hope is that we can hit £13,000 for World Child Cancer.
“Having now trained for the best part of 16 weeks, I’m pretty much at my peak fitness-wise, so I’m as ready as I can be for the next fight. At 45 though, I’m not sure I’ll be able to continue training at this high level of intensity, so I’ll definitely be giving my body a break afterwards!”
Born and raised in Hong Kong, with a Hong Kong mother and Persian / Indian father, Selma came to the UK to study at the University of Manchester where she achieved a music and a law degree between 1996-2002. She qualified as a Solicitor in Hong Kong in 2006 and specialises in contentious disputes, including but not limited to commercial, civil, matrimonial and criminal matters as well as commercial transactions and mergers & acquisitions.
In early 2016, she set up her own law firm – SM & Co Solicitors, which is in association with Italian International Law Firm, Gianni & Origoni. Managing her team and firm remotely from Manchester means her days start at 1:30am / 2:30am with the time difference.
Selma also had a stint in the Judiciary, sitting as a Deputy Magistrate at Eastern Magistrates’ Court in early 2019. She is a frequent speaker on “Women Empowerment” with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Women in Law Hong Kong as well as a Ted X HKU Speaker in 2021.
Selma’s next WCF fight will take place on Saturday, 9 September 2023 at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.
To support Selma’s fundraising efforts, visit: https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3130447
