It is sometimes as important to look tough as to be tough, and Paul Beckett, a lawyer at Isle of Man law firm Carters, proves the point.

The man known as Mad Manx is one of those lawyers who enjoy a good (legal) tear-up in the ring, and was pleased to learn from the Gazette recently that boxing is now an accepted form of recreation in the legal profession (see [2004] Gazette, 13 May, 25).

Mr Beckett tells us that he holds the unique distinction of being the only contestant fighting with the Real Fight Club - the white-collar boxing organisation - ever to have been knocked out cold ('March 2003, Mermaid Theatre [in London], against heavyweight Lee Short: first round - very embarrassing,' he recalls).

Nonetheless, he would like to see fellow practitioners follow his path (into boxing, not onto the canvas, we presume).

'I would encourage anyone to have a go.

Train hard, feel ten years younger, and keep your hands up,' he advises, having learned that last lesson the hard way.