Boxing hero Amir Khan delivered safety warnings instead of punches during a meeting with students from a school near a railway trespassing hotspot.
Police have been targeting the tracks around Wigston for years due to ongoing problems with youngsters vandalising railway property and putting their own lives at risk.
Until recently it was one of the top 10 trespassing problem areas in the UK but is now improving following campaigns by Network Rail and British Transport Police.
Amir invited 30 teenagers from Guthlaxton College in Wigston to his gym in Bolton to talk to them about the dangers of playing on the tracks.
The world champion boxer, who opened the Gloves community gym in Bolton to support Network Rail's No Messin' campaign, had a workout with the youngsters as well as getting them in the ring.
He told them how discipline was required in boxing training and that it was useful in other respects in their lives.
The former Olympic star said: "In the three years since we launched Gloves community gym with Network Rail, hundreds of kids have come through our doors.
"Instead of hanging around the streets or mucking about on the railway, they learn a fun, disciplined sport which keeps them fit and out of trouble.
"It's great to see so many kids putting their energies into something and I hope the visit helped remind them that this is where they want to be, not getting into trouble, or worse, getting hurt or even killed by messing around on the tracks."
Most of the students picked for the trip were selected for their hard work, while three were chosen by the Leicestershire County Council Youth Offending Service.
Guthlaxton pupil Ben Ewen, 14, said: "Amir Khan was brilliant. He was so genuine and made us recognise that guys at the top of their game are able to give such a lot to us, the younger generation."
Jack Elliott, 14, said: "It was brilliant to be offered this opportunity.
"It has helped me to understand the dangers of railway lines."
Richard Pedley, community safety manager for Network Rail, also spoke about the dangers of playing on railway lines before the day was rounded off with a visit to the Reebok stadium in Bolton.
He said: "Railway crime is incredibly dangerous but can also cause massive disruption and cost to the industry."
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