Jeremy Corbyn tries to lose political lightweight tag by donning boxing gloves and going a few rounds
LABOUR leader is fighting to keep control of his party from challenger Owen Smith
LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has often been accused of being a political lightweight but today he went a few rounds in a boxing gym, showing his appetite for a scrap.
He was at the Caris Boxing Club in his Islington North constituency.
The club specialises in working with the homeless and people suffering from depression and addiction and had invited Mr Corbyn to come and have a look at the work they do.
Today he obliged, spending around 45 minutes talking to owner Sam Hadfield and other gym users before he was persuaded to put on some gloves.
One onlooker said: "He was here for about 45 minutes, talking to everyone in the gym.
"They asked him if he wanted to spar with the coach, Chad Ouzman.
"He got his gloves on and went a couple of rounds, learning how to do jabs, upper cuts and punches.
"He was taking in all the instructions.
"He looked a little bit awkward but if he's ever going to be a political heavyweight he needs the training, especially protecting himself from low blows."
RELATED STORIES
Sam, a coach for 25 years, said as well as boxing, the centre provides advice on resettlement work, information, education, employment training, housing support and a free hot lunch.
It is the first boxing club for the homeless to be registered with the Amateur Boxing Association.
He said: "I emailed Jeremy Corbyn to ask him to come.
“He said yes and met all our homeless and lads in recovery.
"It was good to see Corbyn with his boxing gloves on fighting for our homeless."
While he was boxing, the man he has to beat in the Labour leadership contest told ’s Murnaghan programme the moves to allow members to elect the party’s top team are “an attempt to further cement” Jeremy Corbyn’s control.
Owen Smith said it would only deepen the gulf between MPs and new members.
He said: “It's presented as apparently being a sort of conciliatory gesture by Jeremy.
"It isn't a conciliatory gesture. It's not simply an attempt to extend democracy in the Labour Party - it's an attempt to deepen divisions between new members and MPs.
"It's an attempt to further cement his position and use the membership as a means of driving a wedge between the MPs and his leadership."