The discipline of boxing is being used for an anti-bullying press campaign in Sheffield.

The Star has launched a 'Boxing against Bullying' message in conjunction with the Sheffield Boxing Centre in a bid to stamp out intolerance in the city.

The centre's trainer will be talking to vulnerable people and passing on advice and assistance as well as offering to teach the sport to anyone who feels they could benefit from learning the ropes.

Local schools are welcoming boxers to speak to children while fighters from the Sheffield Boxing Centre will spread the anti-bullying word at bouts throughout 2008.

Assistant editor (sport) Bob Westerdale told holdthefrontpage: "Racism has been done in so many different ways – actual boxing against bullying, there's certainly never been anything of that nature we've come across.

"We have a strong boxing community in the city. I've been in all the gyms and they have this one thing in common – if something is getting on top they just stop it.

"It struck me that this was something the community could learn from."

The Star is carrying a series of stories and features to run alongside the launch including a very candid interview with former featherweight fighter Dave Coldwell.

In it he openly talks about being bullied at his Sheffield school and how he used boxing to turn his life around.

Sheffield MP Richard Caborn, who is also president of the Amateur Boxing Association, told The Star: "There is absolutely no hiding place in boxing, it builds characters. It takes young people from all parts of society and helps elevate them and their expectations.

"I wish this campaign well. It is the type of thing newspapers do very well."

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