Alex Wade in the boxing ringLAWYER Alex Wade can certainly pack a punch both in and out of the courtroom.

Monday to Friday he dons a pinstripe suit to defend national newspapers from libel writs.

At weekends Alex, 39, steps into the ring and defends his reputation as a talented "gentlemen" boxer.

Now Alex a regular at Walcot Amateur Boxing Club has penned a book giving a fascinating insight into the world of white-collar boxing.

Commentators are already calling the sport the new golf as City-types rush to sign up with local clubs.

Today Alex has everything a well-paid job in London and a wife and two kids.

But life has not always been so rosy for the lawyer, who talks about the dark days in his book, Wrecking Machine: A Tale of Real Fights and White Collars.

Indeed, it was boxing that helped Alex turn his life around.

"I was stupid and had an affair," revealed Alex, who lives near Fair-ford. "It was the start of a slow but steady path to self-destruction. One day I was feeling really guilty about cheating on my wife.

"I met the other woman in a restaurant in Cheltenham and we ended up arguing.

"I smashed the place up. I even ended up covered in blood after head-butting the wall.

"My wife and kids didn't want anything to do with me and neither did the woman I was having the affair with."

Alex was promptly sacked for gross misconduct when his employer heard about the fracas.

Eventually his wife took him back but the couple both realised he needed to change.

Alex then discovered boxing.

"I needed more discipline to my life," he said. I needed

"About three years ago I was chatting with a friend in London who was training with an ex-gangster," he said.

"It was a nice story a respectable, white-collar worker boxing. My friend said I should give it a go. I found out there was a club in Swindon and took a trip down there.

"I really look forward to going to the club on Sun-day and training with the lads. I've never met such a decent group of people they're fantastic.

"I owe a lot to people like Harry Scott and Dave Veysey who run it."

Mr Veysey, a coach at Walcot Amateur Boxing Club, is delighted the club has got a mention.

And he says it's no surprise 'suits' are turning to boxing clubs in their droves.

"It really gets the adrenalin pumping," said Mr Veysey.

"It's fast becoming the new golf. A lot of people with stressful jobs go to the gym.

"This is just one step up from that.

"Alex is a very nice bloke he's had a few personal problems in his life and boxing has given him a channel to vent his aggression."

The hardback book, published by Simon and Schuster UK Ltd, is out on June 6 priced £15.99.

Anyone wanting to get involved with Walcot Amateur Boxing Club can call 01793 490996.

Kevin Shoesmith