Good to see Gerry Sutcliffe packing a punch with his latest comments.

Having had a pop at the size of John Terry's pay packet and the Old Trafford admission prices, Bradford's Sports Minister is once again speaking a lot of sense.

In the wake of Joe Calzaghe's fantastic win over Mikkel Kessler, Sutcliffe thought it was time that boxing was reintroduced into schools.

"With proper supervision it's safe, enjoyable and good for discipline," he said - and, having reported on plenty of professional fighters, I have to agree. Quite a few have mentioned how learning boxing skills in the gym, and channelling their aggression in that way, have turned their lives around.

I'm just about old enough to remember boxing at my school when I started. We didn't have proper gloves but these strange strappy things that used to double for cricket during the summer.

But within a year or so boxing was off the agenda; a victory for the "cotton-wool brigade". Maybe Sutcliffe's words will get the sport back on the timetable - we shall see.

I'll also be watching with interest when it comes to sports personality of the year time. On performance alone it has to be Calzaghe at the moment.

Ricky Hatton would clearly trump him if he overhauled Floyd Mayweather but that takes place around the same time and depends whether the votes have been counted.

Otherwise Calzaghe, officially Britain's most successful boxer, should win the prize hands down. But then we know how the great British public works - just ask Gabby Logan!

"Maybe it's because I'm a winner," says the Welshman. "Look at Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman - it seems the country gets behind a loser."

They also get behind sportsmen they can watch. However great the triumph, Calzaghe's moment of glory was tucked away on pay-per-view and denied to the masses who will cast their BBC vote.

Boxing's profile in Britain needs lifting, just ask our own Junior Witter.

Calzaghe being named personality of the year would be a step in the right direction; Sutcliffe winning his fight to restore the noble art in our schools a giant stride.