I was amazed and appalled to see boxing being described as an appropriate youth work intervention (Youth Work Now, August 2008). The article talks about channelling aggression as though aggression was a normal thing for young men. The problems caused for young people by poverty and inequality require strategic long-term government intervention, not short-term palliatives. Boxing is a dangerous activity, not a sport. The British Medical Association has always been opposed to it and, in my view, youth workers should be encouraging young people to participate in healthy activities that do not involve pummelling someone...