In boxing we Truss

Adam Smith predicts a cracking year to come, kicking off with the latest chapter in the Paul Truscott story.

Boro boy can lead the way in a big year for Britain's best

Happy New Year everyone - and let's hope that after your Christmas indulgence, there are a tasty feast of fights dished up over the next 12 months. Last year was good for British boxing; from the success at the Beijing games, to the re-emergence of Ricky Hatton, to the dominance of our dazzling Joe Calzaghe, to the world title graduation nights for Nicky Cook and Carl Froch. There are major questions to be answered this year: Will Calzaghe have his last stand? Or could he just walk away unscathed and unbeaten? Will David Haye share a ring with either or both of the Klitschko giants? Can Carl Froch unify the super-middleweight division? Will Enzo Maccarinelli, Clinton Woods, Alex Arthur, Gavin Rees, Junior Witter and even Herbie Hide regain world titles? How can Michael Jennings possibly beat the fabulous Miguel Cotto? Which other British fighters will earn a magical World title chance? Matt Skelton, Kevin Mitchell, Darren Barker, John Murray, and Ryan Rhodes may just need a few more wins for a challenge. Will Audley Harrison prove the millions of disbelievers wrong with his sustained 'Yes I can?'! Is Amir Khan now back on a golden road? Or will more crunching hooks unhinge him again? Could Ricky Hatton yet beat the pound-for pound best?

Swashbuckling

Well, THE fight of the year is almost set. The Hitman against the Pacman is a fascinating battle between two of the most exciting fighters on earth. Ricky, with those legions of fans and the swashbuckling style; Manny Pacquiao, the sporting icon from the Philippines, whose southpaw speed and brilliance was there for all to see with that incredible upset win over Oscar De La Hoya. Hatton-Pacquiao should take place at the MGM Grand on May 2. Yet, as is so often the case with the truly massive clashes, boxing politics, from promotional divides to individual egos, must be dealt with. The huge financial split has bounced around from 60/40 (in Pacquiao's favour) to 50/50 and back again. Even Bob Arum has seemingly sided with the Hatton camp on this, and will be hoping his Filipino gem sees sense. If negotiations collapse, then yes, Hatton could sell out a huge stadium over here against another top name. But we all need this match to happen. The fighters, the fans and the boxing world in general. I'm sure it will. Incidentally, Ricky hasn't gone 'teetotal' as Floyd Mayweather Snr craved, but he has met his new trainer halfway. He's nine pounds lighter than he normally is two months after a fight, and is set to go to America even earlier this time around to prepare. If everything's signed and sealed over the next few days, expect Mr Pacquiao here at the end of January to promote the attraction, and a Stateside tour to follow in March - after Hatton's annual holiday cruise. Meanwhile our other superstar Joe Calzaghe is yet to make a firm decision, but the feeling I get whenever I talk to him, is that he would prefer to hang up the gloves. The lure of money and one last big homecoming night in Cardiff might be too much to resist. We'll see. Whatever happens, we need some hot British prospects to emerge this year, and we have a good mix of talent and champions on display in the coming months for you to assess. The feel-good European stories of Ian Napa and Rendall Munroe continue here on Sky Sports, and we'll see if another European Champion can be crowned when the unsung, skilled Jamie Moore tackles the teak-tough Italian Michele Piccirillo. We'll be covering the length and breadth of Great Britain and Ireland. Sheffield's slick and powerful British welterweight champion Kell Brook, Welsh maths wizard Nathan Cleverly, Scottish stylist Ricky Burns and the strong Irish southpaw Paul McCloskey, will all be headlining Friday Fight Night shows.

Transition

But who will really emerge from the British pack this year? Irish eyes will be firmly on their Olympian Darren Sutherland, who made such a sweet transition into the professional game in Dublin in December. I'm very keen to see the progress of the Smith and Walsh brothers; and how Derek Chisora, Tony Bellew and Akaash Bhatia come through. We're off to Swindon next month - hometown of Jamie Cox - and he's definitely my one to watch for 2009. Don't forget the 'Prizefighter' winners, Martin Rogan, Sam Sexton, Michael Lomax and Martin Murray who all had a richly rewarding 2008. The Light-Heavyweights and Lightweights compete in our next two tournaments, with more fun, fury and fireworks expected there. We kick off Friday Fight Nights for 2009 this week featuring one of my favourite young fighters and sportsman in general. Paul 'Trussy' Truscott has had life tough and hard on the South Bank estate in Middlesbrough. He admits he got into trouble as a youngster, but found a way out though his love of boxing, re-dedicating himself and turning his life around. The kids in South Bank treat Paul like he's their 'Rocky', following him around the streets. It's proof that however tough a background may be, really positive things can come out of it. In only his 11th fight, he lifted the Commonwealth Featherweight title with a sensible, mature performance against the robust Ghanaian Osumanu Akaba. Truscott's first defence could be even tougher. The former British 9-stone champion John Simpson is a battle-hardened warrior, with far more knowledge and experience of title fights. He will be looking to push and stretch Truscott, before the younger, flashier and quicker man can get settled into his lovely boxing rhythm. When Truscott gets his jab and combinations working, there are real signs of quality, but he still lacks some physical strength, tends to switch off, and can be caught up in a scrap when the red mist comes down. That, of course, makes him very exciting indeed.

Emotional

Styles should blend well and it could be close. Truscott, though, to come through, after another hard learning fight, much to the locals delight. I can't wait to hear more emotional words afterwards about the kids on the streets needing 'to avoid drink and drugs and get into boxing or ballet'!. Truscott's a real character with a glint in his eye, and boxing needs more of them. It's only a 500-yard walk from 'Trussy's house to the Eston centre where he defends his Commonwealth crown - and where my good friend Glenn defended his world title 20 years ago! It will be down memory lane for McCrory on Friday night! Glenn is long retired, but other 40-something's are still prevalent in the sport. This week Bernard Hopkins turns 44 (didn't he promise his mother that he would quit by 40?) and Roy Jones hits the big 40. Meanwhile Evander Holyfield's in his 47th year, and is - incredibly - still hoping to become a World Heavyweight champion again, after that controversial defeat to Nikolay Valuev. Yet the old brigade is on its last stand. Even if Oscar De La Hoya fights on, this must be the Golden Boy's final year, and Shane Mosley's long career could be over if he loses to Antonio Margarito next week. New stars are now needed worldwide. So for Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Andre Berto, Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, Jorge Linares, Arthur Abraham, James Kirkland, Vic Darchinian, Yuriorkis Gamboa, opportunity most definitely knocks. And for others too... Likewise in Britain. And I think we may have a little star in the North East. Tune in for 'Trussy' and his Boro army on Friday to find out more! Enjoy 2009 - let's hope it's action-packed for all of us!