Belfast’s Carl Frampton, it has just been announced, is to headline the return of world championship boxing to terrestrial television. 

ITV has been lined up to broadcast the first defence of his IBF world super bantamweight title against Chris Avalos from the US on February 28.

Frampton’s development under the McGuigans — Barry his promoter and manager and Barry’s son Shane his trainer — has been impressive. 

When he wrenched the IBF title from Kiko Martinez in front of a raucous crowd at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena in September last year, it brought back memories of when Barry McGuigan used to pack them in. 

Frampton, undefeated in 19 fights, definitely has the potential to emulate his manager and promoter, though even he would acknowledge that Barry is one of the few fighters in boxing history to transcend the sport.

McGuigan turned professional in 1981. A Northern Irish Catholic, he grew up during the most intense period of the Troubles, yet remained remarkably unaffected by the hatred and polarisation it wrought. 

He fought 35 times, losing three, and bagged a WBA world featherweight title in a memorable fight against Panama’s Eusebio Pedroza at QPR’s Loftus Road in 1985. 

However his most memorable fight came with the third defence of his world title against Steve Cruz in Las Vegas in June 1986. 

The fight took place in the outdoor arena at Caesars Palace in the searing Nevada heat and went the full 15 rounds. 

McGuigan lost by split decision and after the fight he was stretchered out and rushed to hospital with a severe case of dehydration. 

The courage he had demonstrated throughout the fight was astonishing and, despite losing, it cemented his place in the affections of boxing fans all over the world.

But despite the world title victory over Pedroza, and the drama and courage of his loss to Cruz, it was his success in bringing a divided community together that earned McGuigan the special place in the sport’s history he occupies. 

With his refusal to get drawn into either support or condemnation of one side or the other in the conflict, combined with a giant and likeable personality, he came to symbolise peace in a part of the world gripped by violence and strife. 

The King’s Hall and Ulster Hall in Belfast became sanctuaries from the Troubles the nights he fought, packing in the crowds and even treating them to a rendition of Danny Boy at the end.

As a fighter McGuigan wore his heart on his sleeve. 

As an ambassador of peace he offered hope of better days ahead at a time when the even the thought of such seemed the product of fantasy.

In his post-fight career of pundit, manager and promoter, McGuigan is without peer. 

He combines integrity, intelligence and unfailing dedication to the sport he loves and which during the conflict-torn ‘80s in Northern Ireland thrust him into the accidental role of man of peace and unity.

The Mayweather, Khan and Pacquiao triangle

First the news is abuzz with rumours surrounding the meeting that took place between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan in London recently. 

The two fighters, and former stable-mates and sparring partners, met at the Fitzroy Lodge amateur gym on Lambeth Road. 

All the talk was if the meeting portended the two sharing a ring in May. 

It is no secret that both fighters and their teams have been focused on trying to make a fight against the ever-elusive Floyd Mayweather Jr but if it proves beyond reach for both then a contest between those two is undoubtedly an equally attractive prospect. 

Khan, with his outstanding performance against Devon Alexander recently, earned himself a place alongside Mayweather and Pacquiao as an elite fighter, proving the doubters and haters wrong in the process. He deserves his shot at either fighter or indeed both. 

But yet, only a few days later, we had Pacquiao and Mayweather meeting in person for the first time ever at a basketball game in Miami.

The footage of the meeting, conducted in the middle of the arena, captured them engrossed in conversation, sparking a tsunami of expectation that the most anticipated fight for the past 10 years will definitely and at last take place this year. 

In what other sport would it be this difficult to get the best to compete against the best, especially given the huge money that both fighters are guaranteed to make?

This is the product of the nonsensical fragmentation that has long been the norm in professional boxing and lack of a world governing body to impose a regulatory framework. Such a governing body is needed if this kind of circus is to end.

If not the sport is in danger of descending into the farce associated with professional wrestling.

Warren, leading the future of Britain

The most experienced British promoter in the game, Frank Warren, has just announced an exciting start to 2015 with some cracking contests on the cards.

Though he may have just lost Frankie Gavin to his rival Eddie Hearn, Warren ploughs ahead with a stable that includes Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora, Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jnr.

Tyson Fury is now mandatory to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for his WBO title but if the younger of the Klitschko brothers decides to vacate rather than take this fight, Fury can look forward to what is potentially an even more exciting clash with unbeaten heavyweight, and newly crowned WBC champion, Deontay Wilder.

Meanwhile, we can look forward to the return to action of Eubank Jnr after his loss to Saunders, during which Eubank pushed the British and European champion all the way. 

As for Saunders, he is lined up to challenge Ireland’s popular and experienced Andy Lee for the Irishman’s WBO world middleweight title.

With these fighters and fights to look forward to this year, who could argue that British boxing is not in rude health?