Before he took up the sport, Sam Couldwell (16) regularly found himself in detention at Wingfield Business and Enterprise College for not attending classes.
However over the past year Sam hasn’t received any detentions and his behaviour has vastly improved.
Year 11 Pastoral Assistant Rob Heald explained: “As part of a school project funded by South Yorkshire Police I regularly take groups of lads to visit boxing hero Herol 'Bomber' Graham as he’s a great role model and teaches them why it’s important to respect themselves and each other.
“When Sam was 12 he went on one of these visits and he has been training nearly every day at several amateur clubs ever since.
“In October last year he competed in his first ever bout at the Rotherham Trades Club.”
According to Rob, Sam is now a model student: “Whereas in the past if you tried to talk to him in the school corridor he would just walk away, he now stops and speaks to you and is never involved in any trouble,” he said.
Although Sam is talented in the ring when he finishes school he wants to be a joiner rather than a professional boxer.
“Boxing has given me a focus in life and something to aim for,” said Sam. “I train for two hours every day which means I can get rid of any aggression in the ring rather than fighting on the streets.
“I really enjoy the vocational subjects at school, particularly construction as it’s more hands-on, and eventually I’d like to be a joiner.
“I’ve been working really hard at and have earned certain privileges such as being able to come into school a bit later and go home slightly earlier if I haven’t got any classes.”
As well as reaping the benefits of his good behaviour at school Sam is also seeing the benefits at home.
“I used to be constantly in trouble with my teachers and my parents,” said Sam. “But I realise behaving badly just isn’t worth the hassle any more!”