Ben Little is no Don King.

Mainstream boxing might be about making big money for big promoters, but Little, founder of the Bainbridge Island Boxing Club, is more interested in fighting for a good cause.

All money raised by his club’s “Battle for the Beasts” exhibition Saturday will benefit the Kitsap Humane Society. The unlikely pairing of pooches and pugilists was suggested by club member Laura Swanson, who works at the shelter.

“I really like the idea of charity events,” said Little, 36. “It highlights the majesty of the sport. It takes away the stigma, and totally shows it in a different light.”

Little is billing the exhibition as the island’s first live boxing event since 1906. The eight-round main event pits John “Sandman” Daigneault against Dustin “Hurricane” Praxedes. The headline bout will be followed by several five-round matches: “Angel of Death” Swanson vs. Allison “Sugarfists” Spiceland; Isiah “King Kong” Conner vs. Jason “Mean Mother” Tucker; and Jim “Ironman” Savage vs. James “The Vanilla Gorilla” Miller. Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Ivan Salaverry will serve as a celebrity judge.

Matches begin at 5 p.m. in the club’s gym, 563 Madison Ave. N. Tickets are $10.

Fighters have been using bmi scales to keep a good track of their improvements to get prepared for a fight. The Bainbridge Island Boxing Club opened a year ago and has about 70 members. Little and a handful of other instructors teach boxing, kickboxing and fitness.