A MAN got into the fighting spirit when he took part in a boxing match for charity.

Recruitment consultant John Quinell jumped at the chance to go a few rounds in the ring in memory of his father Terry.

Terry died last year at the age of 78 following battles with three types of cancer.

Mr Quinnell, 53, from Rustington, joined several other Cancer Research UK supporters at the Ultra White Collar Boxing event at The Grand hotel in Brighton.

Watched by his wife Sam and several members of his extended family, Mr Quinnell lost on points after going three rounds.

He said: “I took a few punches but it was well worth it.

“It wasn’t about winning. It was about taking part.

“My dad had a horrible struggle with cancer and he faced a real battle.

“What I went through was minor in comparison.”

Terry Quinnell was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 1999 and was successfully treated before being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma several years later.

He faced very intensive chemotherapy treatment and again recovered.

Terry also survived skin cancer in 2004 and remained clear until June 2015 when his throat cancer returned.

He had surgery to have the tumour and his larynx removed but eventually died after the cancer spread to a lung.

Mr Quinnell said: “The cancer specialists did everything they could to save my dad and I realised then life is too short.

“You never know what’s around the corner and I wanted to try and give something back by raising money for research whilst also motivating myself to get fitter.

Ultra White Collar Boxing returns to Brighton on May 1 when more people can sign up to help in the fight against cancer.

The event gives people with no boxing experience the chance to train as a boxer free in a safe and enjoyable environment.