By Mike Rowbottom

November 20 - Barry McGuigan (pictured) has cast doubt on whether the World Series of Boxing (WSB), launched this week in an attempt to keep top boxers in the amateur ranks, will work.

The former British, European and world featherweight champion, who attended the inaugural WSB event at the House of Commons last week, questions whether the idea - an inter-city tournament starting next autumn across three continents which offers up to £250,000 for boxers signing three-year deals - will prevent the loss of leading amateurs to professionalism in the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics.

Speaking exclusively to insidethegames at the unveiling of his highly acclaimed Boxing Academy in Leicester, McGuigan commented: "It's done something to bridge a little bit of a gap, but I remain to be convinced about all of it. 

"It's a bit of a halfway house and I'm not sold on it completely.

"I would like kids to stay in amateur boxing if that's what they want to do, but it will be interesting to see whether the WSB keeps more boxers in the amateur ranks.

"I don’t know whether fighters may say, 'I've reached the highest level of the amateur game now, why don't I just turn pro?' 

"It's a bit of a sticky wicket.

"Last February I sat down with IMG and discussed the rules of the event. 

"Going five rounds without head guards will be tough. 

"It's a lot to expect of them, although fighters do it in training.

"But when you have teams involved it will be very exciting. 

"It's got great potential. 

"And it may turn out to suit boxers with certain styles more than others – for instance, someone like Luke Campbell, who was here at the launch today, who is more suited to long-range amateur boxing."

McGuigan also paid tribute to Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, who this week revised her opinion that boxing was too dangerous a sport to encourage among young people. 

"I was speaking at a sports hall function with her last night so I was able to thank her personally for her, if you like, about turn on boxing," McGuigan said. 

"She had the humility to stand up and admit that she had been wrong about boxing and safety."

In her statement, Jowell admitted: "Twelve years ago I considered boxing almost too dangerous to be considered as a mainstream sport. 

"I was Public Health Minister and the British Medical Association quite regularly at that time called on boxing to be banned.

"But boxing reaches young people that other sports don't. 

"In my own constituency it's probably the number one sport that young people want to do. 

"It gives them self esteem, it gets rid of aggression, yet at the same time is a highly disciplined sport."McGuigan is convinced the wide range of young people his scheme will attract will experience all the benefits that Jowell has highlighted.

The Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy (BMBA), a ground breaking educational and boxing programme where students can achieve and excel in both their academic and sporting goals, received messages of support from both the Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe (pictured) and the Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson.

The programme, which McGuigan hopes to see instituted throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, offers four distinct schemes to help youngsters across the social and educational spectrum.

There will be a NEETS programme aimed at encouraging disaffected young people get back into education and society through a 10-week scheme based in the boxing gym and focusing on basic key skills, including numeracy.

For those 16-19 year-olds who have already chosen further education, there will be nine hours of non-contact boxing training each week. 

There will also be a two-year modern apprenticeship scheme, developed in conjunction with the Amateur Boxing Association of England, for performers capable of reaching the highest levels.

And international students will be invited to participate with the help of bodies such as the British Council.

South Leicestershire College and Filton College will run the pilot programme for the scheme, which will also be adopted by colleges in Bristol, East Berkshire, Bedfordshire.

"The launch has been an outstanding success," McGuigan said. 

"Today we have had definite indications from colleges from Swansea and Hull that they would like to be involved.

"We've got a structure here that caters for all levels of young people.

"Currently there are close to one million young people nationwide not in education employment or training, I strongly believe that young people need help, someone to believe in them and find their own talents. 

"This is about making young people feel better about themselves and the world around them, which will be better for everyone.

"Some of these kids haven't been in school for a couple of years and the idea of education is anathema to them. 

"But because they like boxing, and it's tough, and the education is taking part in a boxing gym, it won't feel like a normal educational environment.

"We will be getting them to work on basic numeracy in a practical way. 

"For instance, if a kid is 11st 2lb, their nearest weight category will be 59kg.

"We will be asking them to work out their categories, and how much they will need to lose to make them.

"That’s why the Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy will make a difference to them as well as to those seeking the support to become world class competitors."

Chris Bullock Principal of South Leicestershire College added: "The opportunity to draw experience and inspiration from someone of the standing of Barry McGuigan comes rarely for most people.

"We are delighted to be the first college to commit to the scheme so the young people of Leicester can develop and benefit.

"They will be able to see how important self belief confidence and mental toughness are in pursuing their goals."

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