Adam Smith wonders whether Jason Booth can follow Ricky Burns' lead and land a shock world-title win.
Burns has lit the touchpaper - are there more fireworks to follow?
Well, well, well... last week I predicted a thrilling season ahead. What I didn't predict was Ricky Burns' sensational triumph to kick it off in some style.
It was, quite simply, a superb start to our new-look Saturday Fight Night series - and I hope loads of you tuned in to see the amiable Coatbridge 27 year old crowned World super- featherweight champion.
Amidst an amazing atmosphere we witnessed an amazing fight... and THE most amazing performance by a British boxer this calendar year. Virtually no-one believed Ricky Burns could rise in levels and accomplish this wonderful feat. The odds were stacked against the Commonwealth 9st 4lbs champion.
Ricky's long been a hard-working trade fighter but his losses against Alex Arthur and Carl Johanneson suggested that he'd never quite make it to the big time.
The stats were compelling. Puerto Rican banger Roman Martinez was unbeaten in 25 fights; 15 of those came by knockout, including ripping the title away from Nicky Cook in Manchester, and making two successful defences. He was also ranked by many as THE leading super-featherweight in the world - even though he only held the WBO belt.
We looked at Burns. We looked at those two defeats. We looked at his lethargic win over a part-time ice-cream salesman, and habitual (if tough and tricky) loser Youssef Al Hamidi in May. We looked at his inactivity. We looked at his poor knockout record - just seveb in 28 wins. We looked at what we thought was his level.
Jim Watt said to me straight after this absorbing triumph: "Isn't it nice to be proved wrong?"
Determination
With the Scottish fans in full voice, Burns found himself on the canvas in the very first round. Yet, armed with a dependable chin, nerves of steel, and an extraordinary will to win, Ricky forced himself back into the fight using his reach, skills, determination - and plenty of heart.
Yes, beforehand, we weren't quite sure how good Martinez was. The Puerto Rican proved to be raw, crude and clumsy for great parts but he too showed great courage. He was always dangerous, with that extra power.
There was a constant worry for the Scottish faithful that Burns would finally succumb to one of those meaty right hands but he showed tremendous grit to tough it out. Moreover, Burns outclassed and outfought Martinez, and fully deserved his golden night.
It reminded me of Paul Ingle's courageous display to capture the world featherweight title from Manuel Medina; or when Ricky Hatton had to walk through walls, and pain, to dethrone Kostya Tszyu.
Yes, Martinez was no Tszyu, or even Medina... but Burns could never be put in the same class as Ingle, let alone Hatton. So, huge congratulations to Ricky Burns. But, could this be the first of a most unlikely hat-trick for British boxing?
At the end of October, another down-to earth, no-nonsense fighter travels to Japan to try and bring home the WBC super-bantamweight title, current property of the sharp-shooting Toshiaki Nishioka. Leicester bin-man Rendall Munroe has it all to do, but there is a feeling that we could have a really rosey patch ahead for our boys.
This weekend, Munroe's friend, stablemate and sparring partner, Jason Booth, aims for his own place in British boxing history - also in the 8st 10lbs division. The Nottingham stylist has been a wonderful stalwart and must now pit his wits against crack Canadian Steve Molitor, the slick southpaw who owns the IBF crown.
The champion has shone in Britain before; despatching Michael Hunter in front of his legion of Hartlepool fans. Molitor's won 32 of 33 - the only defeat was when he was stopped by the wiry and fabulous Panamanian Celestino Caballero.
So Booth is up against it. Yet that has long been the story during his turbulent life. I am a massive admirer of Jason. I have watched his career from day one, as he quickly became a very decent British and Commonwealth Champion.
Demons
Then he was desperately unlucky not to add a European belt on foreign travels. Yet, along with his younger brother Nicky, Jason's life spiralled into chaos as his alcohol and drugs addictions took a firm hold. Jason lost his beloved sister to suicide, was attacked with an iron bar, and was out of the ring for two key years.
During that nightmare period, he was drinking a bottle of sherry every morning and scavenging the streets of Nottingham for dregs of cider, beer; just whatever he could get his hands on. Through his devoted wife Saritta, his children and the help of two men - trainer Tony Harris and manager Jimmy Gill - Jason was literally brought back, shaking feverishly, from the brink.
While Nicky became addicted to crack cocaine, and served 'time', Jason used all his inner strength to re-build both his life and his boxing career. It has been unbelievably tough, but he's banished the demons, and has found quite incredible form. Now on a winning run of eight and having collected more domestic belts, Booth stands on the threshold of one of those amazing sporting stories.
Jason is also fuelled by revenge. Molitor beat his brother Nicky way back in September 2002. Booth will start as an underdog, but believes he will be 'Too Smooth' for Molitor, and cap an amazing turnaround.
Team Molitor look very confident. They arrived early, and seem in no mood to relinquish the belt. Steve is a big, strong, quality fighter. He has also had to go through his own turmoil, with his brother being sent to prison for life for murder. So he's tough enough too.
My head says Molitor will also be good enough. I think he's a bit gun-shy after the Caballero experience but he will not fear Booth, who doesn't have a big knockout ratio and used to operate at flyweight.
Burns has proved dreams can come true, but I think Molitor is a far superior technician compared to Martinez. Booth has a good chin, and has wonderful skills but last time out he struggled with Matthew Marsh. Booth's had an Indian Summer, but this might not carry on through the autumn. I would have to say Molitor on points - or by late stoppage. But how I would love to be proved wrong two weeks in a row!
While Jim Watt and I are in Sunderland, Ian Darke and Glenn McCrory travel to Frankfurt to see the re-match between Wladimir Klitschko and Samuel Peter. They first met in September 2005, when 'The Nigerian Nightmare' knocked the giant Ukrainian down three times and nearly pulled off a massive win. Klitschko lasted the course, and won on points.
Double
So it's a fascinating return. Peter has 27 knockouts in his 34 victories, but he has also been beaten by Wladimir's brother Vitali and it would be a big shock if he pulled this one off. Klitschko hasn't lost since 2004, and has proved very effective behind his formidable jab. I expect Klitschko to go one better this time, and stop Peter mid-later rounds.
So double world-title action for you this Saturday night - and there's been double trouble this week with the trash-talking between David Haye and Audley Harrison!
I was literally stuck between them - caught up in their verbal crossfire - as the friends-turned-enemies met to announce their WBA Heavyweight title showdown for November 13th. Let the fun commence! What a build-up this is going to be!
David and Audley are doing a media tour and will be our guests on Thursday as Ringside returns. Don't miss the new-look, crammed-packed show as the heavyweights launch our series.
It's all been happening in the first two weeks of the season and after the Booth and Klitschko fights, we will turn our attention to 'The Magnificent Seven, who are ready to showcase their skills, talent and firepower on an unprecedented event - in Birmingham - on September 18th.
