GWENT boxing star Joe Calzaghe's preparations for his forthcoming record 16th world title defence have suffered another setback with the theft of thousands of pounds worth of training equipment from his Cwmcarn gym.

Burglars broke into the gym, formerly the Cwmcarn Utd clubhouse, on Thursday night and stole almost new rowing machines, 15 punchbags and other specialist items.

A multi-gym and some other heavy equipment was left behind but Calzaghe will have to continue training elsewhere for his proposed WBO super-middleweight defence in March until new equipment can be brought in.

A hand injury had already forced him to postpone his next defence, against an opponent still to be named, from its original February 11 date in Manchester.

"I'm really cheesed off, not just for myself but for all the youngsters who use the gym," Argus columnist Calzaghe said.

"I trained at the gym as usual and everything was fine but when my father (Enzo) went to the gym on Friday morning, the doors had been smashed open, locks broken and invaluable equipment taken.

"It has set me back a bit and I'll have to find somewhere else to train, but at the end of the day I want the culprits caught.

"Some of the punchbags, half a dozen or so, have been with me for years and are hard to replace because they are what you are used to.

"But most of the items are marked and should be easy to trace if someone is offered one. I'll have to put some security alarms in that are attached to the police station in future and there will be someone on the premises more often."

Detective Sergeant Stuart Farquarson of Risca CID is appealing for information on 01633 612391 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.