THE usual marathon development control committee meeting produced an unexpected knockout result for me on Wednesday.

While it was no surprise that the plan for a boxing academy at the South Holland Depot in Holbeach was passed by councillors, what interested me was the apparent enthusiasm for the sport itself.

The plan was unanimously approved, with councillors saying that it represented a "very good use" for the site.

One resident had expressed worries about noise and increased activity in the area.

But as councillors pointed out there are time restrictions on its usage, and I believe no sport is more likely to bring youngsters off the street to give them confidence, maturity and increased fitness.

While violence is inherent in boxing many of the scallies in inner cities would be doing far worse things if they weren't in the gym.

Boxing is my favourite sport and I will not apologise for it - if it were up to me it would be taught in schools to instill discipline into some of today's children.

Yes there are problems; never on terrestrial TV, too many world title belts, and there are moral arguments over two men fighting.

Strangely though the sort of people who moralise over it are often the ones who would think nothing of taking their pyjama-clad offspring to martial arts training – not all of which is based on self-defence.

It's also a sport in which Britain excels – Amir Khan and James DeGale took Olympic honours (let's not mention Audley), while Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, and Carl Froch have beaten top contenders in America.

Contrast that with this summer's World Cup in our "number one" sport – John Terry's alleged off-field strike rate are no doubt setting the tone for a summer of missed penalties, metatarsals and misery.

Boxing popularity is growing in South Holland. On February 27 Springfields will host another of its popular charity boxing nights, which are always well-attended and a good night out, and in addition lads from Spalding Amateur Boxing Club recently debuted at an event in Boston.

If we get together and support some of the sportsmen who try out these new clubs, who knows what they could achieve?


What do you think? Write in with your views to john.baker@jpress.co.uk