Whoever came up with this combination should take a bow.

‘Bad Education’ actor and all-round smart alec Jack Whitehall was put in the ring with Ireland’s golden girl Katie Taylor.

Ably abetted by fellow Olympian Joe Ward, Taylor offered to spar with the British comedian.

Whitehall being Whitehall, he started out with plenty of bravado: “I’m built like a feather but I swing like a heavy.

“I’m more of a bare-knuckle guy but if we must wear gloves, we must.”

Video from Samsung Mobile UK.

The sparring session between the two then went exactly as you’d expect.

From his elaborate warm-up the the inevitable pummeling – brilliant stuff.