MONMOUTH MP David Davies swapped verbal sparring in the House of Commons for physical blows with boxing legend Joe Calzaghe today.

MPs were visiting the Gwent sport star’s academy for students who struggle with traditional education as part of an investigation into ways to prevent young people offending.

Mr Davies, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, also took off his jacket and tucked in his tie to skip with pupils in the gym in Cardiff as part of their training.

He said: “This is about reaching out to people before they get into trouble with the law or before they are in the system, and I think it’s absolutely superb. My impression is they are using sport and boxing skills as a kind of hook to get people into the classroom.”

The academy offers people aged between 16 and 18 the chance to pursue sporting ambitions while also studying for BTEC qualifications.

Joe Calzaghe, from Newbridge, said: “I think it’s great to mix boxing with education. Teaching them boxing discipline can enable them to go back to college and go on in life and do what they want to do, get an education.

“I’ve seen the enthusiasm they fight with – some more than others - and all of them seem to be having a good time, mixing it up with schoolwork. I’m really impressed.”

TVS Education, partnered with the academy, works with over 50,000 young people in South Wales every year in their programmes to educate young people through sport.

They plan to develop a new hub in King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny and also want to combat antisocial behaviour on railways near Caerphilly by working with the perpetrators.

Chief Executive Marc Cahill said the organisation also works with young offenders and wants to raise aspirations, nurturing home grown talent and developing professional sportspeople.

Enzo Calzaghe, Joe Calzaghe’s father and coach, also came to the school. He said: “This is a great thing for us. They learn a lot and the beauty of it is if they put their mind together they can have a dream come true.”