By Frank Warren

Tonight you can watch on BoxNation (Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 525) one of the truly great nights in Ireland's rich boxing history, when Belfast darling Carl Frampton attempts to rip the IBF super-bantam title from Spain's Kiko Martinez at a sold out 16,000 capacity purpose built stadium beneath the shadow of the iconic Samson and Goliath cranes of the Harland and Wolff shipyard, in the city's Titanic quarter.

The 'Titanic Showdown' should provide the perfect kick-off for what promises to be an epic season for our sport.

The 27 year old 'Jackal', unbeaten in 18 with 13 kayos, enters as a prohibitive 4-1 on favourite with the bookmakers have previously scalped the Spaniard in round nine of a February 2013 tussle for the European title. But, trust me, this is no foregone conclusion.

In the interim, the man from Alicante has rebounded with four successive stoppage wins, three in world title fights, despite encountering far stiffer opposition than the Ulster challenger.

He acquired his world title status by ravaging previously unbeaten Columbian Jhonathan Romero inside six rounds in Atlantic City and, after a showcase defence in his homeland, 'La Sensacioun' ventured to Osaka, Japan to flatten one time WBC featherweight boss Hozumi Hasegawa in round seven.

He has also triumphed in France, Argentina and, ominously, in Ireland on five occasions; most notably an 86 second blitz of Dublin's future WBA king Bernard Dunne back in 2007.

Post Frampton, Kiko linked up with Argentina's ex world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (who manages him) and well regarded coach Pablo Sarmiento. At 28, he is fast improving and his confidence will be soaring off the stratosphere following his world championship successes.

He has fought more than double the pro rounds that Frampton has on his CV and has entered round 12 on six occasions; Frampton just once. Fuelled by an urge to exact revenge, this is an altogether more formidable beast than the one Frampton tamed at the Odyssey Arena 19 months ago.

Matinez has upset the odds setters several times before; reference his wins over Dunne, Romero and Hasegawa. His iron fists have sent for 23 of his 31 victims for an early shower and the weight of expectation upon Frampton's muscular shoulders is quite frightening. The challenger has a worrying penchant for dropping his hands and just one mistake could see his dreams crumble.

Frampton's ship is steered by the father-son team of Barry McGuigan – the ex world featherweight champion who manages and promotes him – and Shane McGuigan, one of the brightest young coaches in Britain.

Also in his corner, will be 16,000 compatriots who will roar themselves hoarse urging Carl across the finishing line. His amiable demeanour is such that he enjoys unconditional support for both sides of the sectarian divide.

On nights such as these home court can be everything and Frampton's benefactors have moved mountains to secure the fight for his home city.

With his wife Christine pregnant with their second child, the pressure on Frampton is immense but the 27 year old seemingly has ice coursing through his veins. There is also a very hardy, sturdy look about him and he is yet to taste the canvas.

And he is capable of exacting mass destruction with a variety of shots from either fist. After culling Kiko with a crushing right hand counter, he snapped Frenchman Jeremy Parodi with body shots and, in his last gig, stretched classy Mexican Hugo Cazares – a former two weight world champion with a single left hook.

He enters with the huge psychological clout of being the only boxer to have knocked Martinez out - and that victory was achieved as much through greater mobility and technical excellence as by having heavier hands.

The momentum lies with Frampton then. Expect him to repeat his late stoppage win and then reign for significantly longer than the two successful defences that his mentor managed. 'The Jackal' has the class and charisma to evolve into a global superstar.

***

Terrible news that Kell Brook had been stabbed during an altercation at 6am, barely a fortnight after winning the IBF welterweight title.

The incident occurred in the small hours of Thursday morning at an apartment complex in San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, where the 28 year old was holidaying with his pregnant wife Lindsey.

Having incurred a serious wound to his left leg and cuts to his arm, the Sheffield man was rushed to a hospital in Santa Cruz 50 miles away. Initial reports stated that he 'lost a lot of blood' but his condition was 'stable'. At time of writing, no arrests had been made.

It places a dark cloud over plans for Brook to open the defence of his title at Sheffield Arena on December 6th, not to mention a mooted showdown with Bolton rival Amir Khan at Wembley Stadium next May.

Brook has previous for getting himself into scrapes. In 2007, he was knifed in the side and buttocks – which sidelined him for six months – following a dispute outside a Sheffield nightclub then, in 2010, he was placed on an electronic tag and censored to an 8pm curfew following a conviction for assault, again at a nightclub.

As his promoter at the time, I sent a letter to the magistrate pleading for clemency and Brook narrowly avoided jail, but was later cleared on appeal.

Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery.

***

This week brought the fabulous news that West Ham ABC – one of the most revered nurseries in British amateur boxing – has finally moved into swanky new premises behind Plaistow tube station, after threats of closure lasting almost a decade.

Since inception in 1922, the Hammers had produced over 200 national champions, not to mention 1956 Olympic flyweight gold medallist Terry Spinks and two weight professional world champion Nigel Benn!

The claret and blues aren't just a boxing club, they are an East End institution. Previously, they were housed behind the Black Lion tavern, a watering hole once warmly embraced by local World Cup winning heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

However, commercial pressures to erect flats over the hallowed gymnasium brought the threat of eviction and possibly even extinction.

That would have been a travesty. In addition to producing champions and serving the sport at grass roots level, the club straightened out many thousands of would-be wastrels and naughty lads into decent citizens.

It was an integral part of local folklore, bringing pride, fame and, occasionally, even fortune to the many boxers who passed through. Local schools and East Ham University both profited from the club's outreach programmes.

Salvation came through Newham Council, Sport England lottery funding, and London ABA who, fronted by Paul King and Keith Walters OBE, raised a quite staggering £4.5million in just two years to secure the club's long term future.

Youngsters commenced training at their new home on London Road, E13 last Monday and London 2012 now has a lasting boxing legacy.

***

Johnny Nelson is a nice guy, a decent pundit and used to be a good cruiserweight.

'The Entertainer' (by his own admission he was anything but!) announced his retirement from the ring after his body repeatedly succumbed to injury in the build-up to an eagerly anticipated Battle of the Ages with rising Welsh banger Enzo Maccarinelli, scheduled for March 2006. He has since lived a life of 'contentment' and undergone hip surgery.

His record 13 successful defences of the WBO crown was recently equalled by Marco 'Kapt'n' Huck, a brutal Berlin-based Serbian. When a journalist inquired of Nelson how he'd have fared in his prime against Huck, the Ringside presenter quipped that he'd have knocked Huck out. And though he is well into his 48th year, he boldly added that, given six months to prepare, he could still smoke Herr Huck's boots!

Sadly, factions who should know better have fanned Nelson's ego and are seemingly keen to match the joint record holders next year.

Though Johnny keeps himself in commendably good nick, he's not fought competitively for nine years now and apparently has no intention of testing the waters in a tune-up.

During Nelson's dormancy, Huck has fought 30 times, winning all but two. Twenty-six of his 38 career wins have come by stoppage. Basically, he hurts people and he will hurt Nelson if the fight comes to fruition.

I strongly suggest that he reconsiders his position and stays on the safe side of the ropes.

***

Years ago boxing was taught regularly in English schools until a campaign to ban it from PE classes in 1962 won plenty of support.

However, schools are now turning towards the non-contact form of Boxercise to meet the high demand for high-aggression sports without the risk of injury. Children wear sparring gloves but punch against pads.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 teachers and instructors have been trained to teach the sport. It is estimated that 450,000 children have tried the sport.

A lot of the recent resurgence can also be credited to the success of our Olympians and Nicola Adams for the increase in women attending.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges for the 21st century. Figures show that of school children in England in 2012/13, 18.9% of children in Year 6 (aged between 10-11) were obese and a further 14.4% were overweight.

Boxing can help lead the fight against this national issue.

***

Froch v DeGale in February or March at Nottingham Forest's ground in February or March???? Do me a favour in the middle of the football season?!! If by the most miraculous chance it took place then I would want to be bidding for the brolly and Sou'wester concessions!

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