IT was the end of an era for the Calzaghe family yesterday as the Gwent gym where world champion boxer Joe (pictured) learned to fight was finally torn down.

As the tin-sheet building was demolished Enzo Calzaghe - the boxer's father and coach - admitted he was "gutted".

The gym in Newbridge was bulldozed by a demolition team from Caerphilly council before 9am yesterday.

But owner Enzo, who taught his son Joe to throw his first punches in the gym, has already set up a new training centre in nearby Cwmcarn.

The council ordered that the 90-year-old building had to be demolished after a council report recommended that it was no longer safe.

The premises were already secured from the public and water and electricity supplies had been disconnected in readiness for the move.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "The demolition crew were on site very early yesterday morning, and by about 8.30am there was nothing left of the building." WBO super-middleweight Calzaghe began his career in the gym near Newbridge Rugby Club when he was only eight years old.

The Calzaghe family are from Newbridge, but Joe now lives in Cwmbran with his wife and three children.

Father Enzo said: "I feel gutted. It's been there for 90 years and I've been there 21 years in the same place and it took them about 40 minutes to demolish.

"I watched it - well, most of it. It's a sad day because of the memories and what we achieved there.

"They should have made it a listed building. But the architects from the council did point out to us it was rotten, it could have fallen down any day.

"I've bought a new premises with Joe in Cwmcarn and we'll make a go of that now as a community gym with the same criteria we used to have.

"But I'm not bitter because the council have really helped and bent over backwards for us.

Yesterday boxer Joe said: "I'll finish boxing in two or three years and it will be great to know that kids will now have the opportunity to accomplish what I have at the new gym." The council and the Newbridge partnership will consider options for the future of the site, said a council spokesman.