Wightman

Luke Jackson is a winner. A winner through his ability to overcome. A winner at boxing, and a role model. And a winner in life. There is no question. But on 18 August, he will face his toughest sporting challenge yet, not just against an opponent, but against a stadium of devoted and united fans, at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast BT12 6LU, UK. In recent days, the venue has come to our attention, highlighted by the announcement of the Interim WBO Featherweight World Title showdown, between Carl “The Jackal” Frampton and Luke “Action” Jackson. For me, Windsor Park is a playing field etched in my memory. It was a freezing cold Remembrance Day in 1987, when my dad, brother and I, stood on the Spion Kop, to watch Northern Ireland play Turkey in Association Football, joined by 3928 committed fans. Nearby and just three days earlier, a bomb was detonated, killing 10 civilians and a police officer, at a Sunday Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen, it was a tragic awa...

I was once told that I should remember where I’m from. My immediate reaction was shock, unable to respond. I changed the subject. I was hurt. Sometimes, people don’t understand the power of their words. The incident caused me to question why I was so upset. And of course, it is linked to my parents’ past. I understand that we are often a product of our parents’ behaviours, views and opinions, which linger and shape our future. Migrants and refugees often struggle to gain acceptance, constantly searching for ways to prove themselves. For my father, born and bred in Northern Ireland, where you’re from meant something. Not because it allowed you to be verbose about trendy and romanticised convict heritage. Rather, it was a constant reminder of inadequacy, plainly imagined and unfounded, yet nevertheless dictating much of dad’s life and relationships. To explain matters further, out of the blue, recently, a family treasure was returned. My Aunt Margaret sent mum ...