BOXING IS STILL A HIT.

Byline: Tony Parsons 

THE best news I have heard in ages is that boxing is making a comeback in British schools.

The first inter-school contests since the mid-60s have taken place in Plymouth and Manchester. More are planned for the winter term.

And nothing is more guaranteed to reduce the brainless yobbery that infests every corner of our lives.

Because boxing is not about beating someone's brains out. Boxing is the noble art of self-defence, not the noble art of knocking the crap out of someone.

It teaches discipline, courage, stoicism, restraint and respect - for yourself and others. You don't come out of a boxing gym and smash up a bus shelter or mug an old lady.

The sport boosts fitness, self-esteem and confidence. A kid who's learning boxing is unlikely to be a kid who carries a knife.

The Schools Amateur Boxing Association has trained teachers in 45 schools across the country and those teachers have, in turn, coached dozens of students.

Mike Carpenter, of the Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, helped organise the event in Plymouth.

Mike says: "Over 20 two-minute bouts took place with all pupils displaying tremendous discipline, courage and skill.

"If carefully managed, and if the right pupils are chosen, the sport is far less dangerous than football and rugby matches I have witnessed."

No one could ever pretend that boxing is pain-free.

Yet if it teaches kids how to take a knock, grit their teeth and carry on, then that's not such a bad lesson to learn, is it?