Calzaghe's secret training weapon

20 October 2008 04:57pm

World champion boxer Joe Calzaghe managed to record almost nine punches a second as he unveiled his secret training weapon.

The 36-year-old light heavyweight fighter clocked an impressive 529 punches in a minute on a specially developed punch bag fitted with sensors to record the frequency and power of each contact.

The training aid, called Counter-Punch, was developed by Calzaghe's long-standing friend Kevin Davies who now hopes to market the unique product across the world.

The computer programme accompanying the punch bag has five power levels and the data is stored on to a personal swipe card to enable athletes to plan, monitor, read, retrieve and analyse their data.

Mr Davies, 37, from Pontllanfraith, South Wales, said the punch bag would cost about £2,500 and could be used in many sports other than boxing to improve upper body strength and fitness.

"Seeing Joe training over the years I noticed there wasn't a method of capturing punches," said Mr Davies.

"It measures power, the number of punches, over a given period of time - it is a new and unique way of capturing workouts.

"There is nothing in the boxing world like this. It is completely unique."

He added: "We've had a lot of interest from the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association together with a lot of professional and amateur gym owners.

"It has been a secret training aid for Joe up until today."

© The Press Association