No pussyfooting here, a real blockbuster looms in Liverpool

FRANK WARREN’S SCRAPBOOK – 2.3.16

I know there are many in the game – Tyson Fury among them – as well as at ringside and watching on Sky Box Office – who were turned off when, like Mayweather v Pacquiao, Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg failed to deliver the classic we had been promised on Saturday night.

So I will guarantee one thing. They will all be switched back on again when then next ‘blockbuster’ domestic dust-up takes off at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday week.

When Manchester’s Terry Flanagan puts his WBO lightweight title on the line against Liverpool rival Derry Mathews, I believe that there will be no holding back from the opening bell. No caginess, no pussyfooting for more than half the fight, just a good old-fashioned tear-up for the fans packing the Arena and watching live and exclusive on BoxNation.

This is what I confidently anticipate because is no way I can see this being anything other than a fast-paced, hard-punching battle of skill and will..

Both these guys come to fight and are itching to get at each other after a month’s delay because of Flanagan’s training injury.

The Turbo is favourite but ‘Dirty Derry’ is a seasoned and clever pro who, always rises to the occasion, the better the opposition.

It is not that there is bad blood between them (manufactured or otherwise). On the contrary they have always been on good terms despite their intense rivalry as respective fans of Manchester City and Liverpool.

But in the ring business is business and Flanagan vows this fistic final won’t have to be decided on a penalty shoot-out!

Just as I believe Frampton should now show his mettle and fight Guillermo Rigondeaux – assuming of course the Cuban ace overcomes our man Jazza Dickens in the chief supporting bout – then the winner of Flanagan and Mathews meet WBA champ Anthony Crolla in another all-British worlds title bout. It is a natural pairing.

Pople say there’s too much politics involved for this to happen but let’s kick politics into touch for once and get it on. That’s the way iti used to be, so why not now?

While I believe Flanagan will still be champion after March 12 my eye was caught over the weekend by another Tel Boy. Crawford, that is , formally know as Terence, or Bud if you prefer.

Once again the two-weight kingpin produced the goods at super-lightweight, stopping Hank Lundy in five rounds at Madison Square Garden in the second defence of his WBO title.

The Nebraskan is truly a class act, a patient predator, he stalks, then strikes when he thinks the prey is most vulnerable.

One of the things I really like about him is that, as well as being a smart switch-hitter, he throws really good shots going backwards. As he’s backing off, he’s letting go, just as Muhammad Ali used to do and it’s very effective.

If there is a more complete box-fighter around today I have yet to see him.

For me, he’s awaiting his coronation post-Mayweather as the new king of the ring. I’d love to see him meet the winner of the forthcoming Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight. That certainly woudn’t be dull ,either.

Tomorrow: More from Frank Warren’s Scrapbook