Schwer forswears meat to improve mettle

Beef is off the menu for the Commonwealth lightweight champion, Billy Schwer. Dairy products are also forbidden for the Luton fighter who is attempting to to toughen his cut-prone skin.

Schwer, who defends his Commonwealth title against South Africa's Ditau Molefyane at the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow, has spent around pounds 2,000 on medical tests and advice trying to find ways of hardening his complexion. Cuts were responsible for Schwer's eighth-round International Boxing Federation title defeat against Rafael Ruelas in Las Vegas in January.

The condition is, however, not just skin deep. A dietary problem has been diagnosed, hence, Schwer's new menu.

Schwer, who has two stoppage victories to his credit since the Ruelas fight without getting cut, said: " I think it's working, and I'm pleased with it, but I'm not going to say it's going to stop me getting cut. All I can say is there definitely has been an improvement."