Picking myself up off the ground, my face covered in blood and spitting pieces of grit from my mouth, I vowed never to be in the same situation again.

Growing up, I was not particularly self-confident, physically, and tried to shy away from fights at school.

In later years, I sometimes saw people attacked while on nights out - it had even happened to a friend - but I did not think that I would be a victim.

Star reporter Richard Marsden is put through his paces

This changed when a woman started talking to me while I was in a bar and a male relative of hers threw a punch.

I did not retaliate and he was thrown out but, when I left, the same man was waiting outside.

I hadn't a clue how to defend myself, nor was I fit enough to be able to run away.

That time, I was lucky, escaping with cuts and bruises, but I became aware of how vulnerable I was - particularly in a job where you have to turn up on people's doorsteps unannounced or are sometimes confronted by criminals and their families when reporting at court.

It was time to do something about it - not with the intention of being able to fight, but because bullies pick on people who appear weak and intimidated, and I wanted to be confident.

So, months after being attacked, it was a toss-up between boxing or martial arts; I ended up choosing the former. And I've been training ever since.

It's hard work and I was a bit nervous on the first few occasions but I was soon made to feel at home.

My fitness and confidence have grown and my once-expanding waistline has shrunk!

Now I'm not scared to face people who try to intimidate me - I've often practised sparring with people who are bigger than them, while in the ring.

I even took part in a boxing match as part of a charity event.

OK, I'll never be the next Ricky Hatton or Joe Calzaghe, but the sport has given me the ability to face situations without being in fear. And I won't be bullied again.

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