Top boxing trainers and officials are critical of the upcoming "battle of the babes" boxing match between Jaime Ridge and Rosanna Arkle, saying it makes a mockery of the sport.
Ridge, the daughter of former All Blacks and Kiwis player Matthew Ridge and interior designer Sally Ridge, will square off against Arkle - one of the stars of reality TV show The GC - at an event on Thursday.
The main event of the night is a match between heavyweights Shane Cameron and Monte Barrett.
Arkle, who is planning to wear a bikini for the bout, has complained Ridge hasn't dropped enough weight for it to be a fair fight.
Cameron's manager, Ken Reinsfield, says it's a farce.
"I'm all for women's boxing but I'm not about turning it into some sort of sideshow," he told the Herald on Sunday.
"What is this, a boxing match or a peep show?"
New Zealand Professional Boxing Association president Lance Revill will reluctantly officiate at the match.
"I didn't want to but I'm picking it's going to get out of hand so I'm reffing the fight. I don't want no tarty shabby affair."
Mr Revill said he had told the event's promoter, Dean Lonergan, the match is "ruining the sport of boxing".
Arkle will have to wear breast protection inside her bikini or sign an injury waiver, he said.
Tickets to the 800-seat event at SkyCity in Auckland have sold out.
NZN