POPULAR Southampton businessman Peter “the Hard Man”

Harding took on Netley estate agent Billy “Hurricane” Harrow in an exhibition of white collar boxing that raised £2,500 for charity.

Despite being just two weeks shy of his 50th birthday and fighting a man half his age, Peter raised a huge cheer from a packed house of 250 people at Southampton’s De Vere hotel when he briefly knocked Billy to the canvas.

The three-round match, which was in aid of disabled youngsters charity the Rainbow Centre and the Cancer Buddies Network, was ultimately declared a draw.

Daily Echo: Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

Earlier, there was a demonstration of Muay Thai boxing and mixed marital arts after roadworker Jason “the Grudge Man” Gradidge and trainee civil engineer Sam “the Genius”

Genison had opened the night with one of the first white collar boxing events ever held in the city.

Organiser Simon Williamson, of Northam’s Millbank Gym, is now aiming to make them a regular fixture on the business calendar. He is ssearching for a heavyweight rival for Peter Businessmen go fist to fist to raise £2,500 for charities Southampton businessman Peter Harding (red head guard) v Hamble estate agent Billy Harrow.

Echo pictures by Stuart Martin. Order no: 9499924 “the Ginger Destroyer” Robertson, well known boss of city business Condor Office Supplies, who has offered to take part in another charity bout. He was last seen in the ring defeating then Eastleigh FC manager Paul Doswell in 2004.

Peter, a property investor who made his fortune from the sale of the Jayhard plumbers’ merchants in 2003, fought despite revealing his mum had forbidden him to step in the ring. He said: “It’s obviously a significant thing to go in front of all your peers in the city and put your pride on the line and now I’m really happy.”

Billy, who had earlier vowed to go in “all guns blazing”, said: “The reception was a bit one sided, Peter was obviously the favourite. But I would definitely do it again.

There’s no better feeling.”

Promoter Simon, by day a local insolvency agent, said: “I can’t believe how well the guys stepped up to the mark. They are not professionals but they were professionals in the ring tonight.”