Quartermaine and Hillier - a victory for ring sportsmanship

Refreshing to see…Quartermaine and Hillier wish each other well

THE weigh-in has taken place. It’s now simply a matter of lighting the blue touch-paper and waiting for the explosion to take place.

Just an hour ago, Leamington’s Danny Quartermaine and Jack Hillier stepped on the scales for their mouthwatering English junior-lightweight (super-feather in today’s fight lingo) title eliminator. Both came in at 9st 2lbs.

The pair, both unbeaten in nine, clash on Tommy Owens’ show at Coventry’s Sports Connexion tomorrow (Saturday). It’s a top quality, true 50-50 encounter.

And may I applaud the two for embracing the values that were part and parcel of our sport during my younger years.

I hate the now obligatory stare-downs at televised weigh-ins before big shows. I detest the trash talk and pushing and shoving.

Sadly, the casual fan wants such theatricals.

Today was old school, a breath of fresh air.

Quartermaine and Hillier, from Southampton, took to the scales, smiled and shook hands afterwards. None of the “let’s see who blinks first” nonsense.

The fight doesn’t need it. It’s a cracker. It didn’t need to be sold through the pantomime of fake feuds.

As Quartermaine’s trainer Edwin Cleary said after the weigh-in: “Two real pros there.”

Smiles before the storm…the pair meet tomorrow in Coventry

Let me educate the uneducated. Professional boxing is a business. The vast majority of boxers do not burn with loathing for their opponents. There is a bond and mutual respect.

They fight because it is their job, they give it everything because victory paves the way for titles and better paydays.

In office terms, each high-profile win is a promotion.

Has any fight been won or lost through a stare-down? No. It is one of the more negative legacies of Muhammad Ali’s reign.

I was present when one fighter attempted the stunt on British and European champ Kevin Finnegan, a very tough man who fought the very best including Marvin Hagler.

Finnegan laughed and said in disbelief: “Come on!”

There has been not a single derogatory statement from Quartermaine and Hillier in the build-up. Hillier told me: “I don’t dislike Danny Quartermaine. How can I dislike him, I don’t know him? We are both in boxing for the same thing. He deserves my respect.”

That is the way it should be.

Tomorrow night two proud, ambitious fighters will give their all – and not because they bear grudges.

I’m looking forward to a magnificent contest – made even better by the way the two contestants have conducted themselves.

It’s already a victory for sportsmanship.