The Fight

In 2002 Gervais took part in a charity boxing match against entrepeneur Grant Bovey (known largely by the public due to his relationship with TV personality Anthea Turner). For the 3-round contest Gervais was trained by famous boxing trainer brothers Frank and Eugene Maloney, at their Fight Factory gymnasium. It was the second televised charity boxing match, the first being Bob Mortimer against Les Dennis, for Comic Relief. The fight was televised by BBC, and Gervais managed to come out on top by a Split Decision verdict. Turner later claimed the only reason Gervais was awarded victory was because of his relationship with the BBC. Gervais later said that the experience was the 'most difficult thing' he had ever done. He donated his £5,000 prize money to the training of a MacMillan nurse.