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 awakening to “The Troubles”. A twelfth victim later died because of injuries, after lying in a coma for 13 years.
My brother and I had recently stepped out of wonderful and sheltered public schools in Launceston, onto a plane, only to be stopped by British Police on the Shankill Road to check for contraband, as we met our family for the first time, and went for a drive. It was quite the culture shock.
Windsor Park added to our learning, as we entered a terraced fortress, where you daren’t put your hands on the u-shaped metal supports, as they were of Arctic comparison.
We were excited to watch an international match, and a Manchester United player called Norman Whiteside, who had come to our attention in the 1985 F.A. Cup Final, when he scored a cracking left foot curler in extra-time. The lacklustre game against “The Crescent-Stars” finished 1-0, and I can’t remember how we got back to where we were staying, as my consciousness had been frozen by the cold.
My late father was, and I remain, a devout Manchester United fan. But really, he was a George Best fan. Georgie was a handsome, charming, alcoholic womaniser, born in East Belfast, who remains one of the greatest footballers of all time. Dad often described a match in 1970 at Windsor Park against Scotland, when Best, thwarted by an English referee who failed to protect, lifted a lump of turf and hurled it at the official. The result – a Red Card and more headlines. He only played 37 times for Northern Ireland, and never at a World Cup.
Windsor Park is also home of Linfield F.C., founded in 1886. “The Blues” were once the traditional Protestant team, like Glasgow Rangers F.C., a fact that matters naught these days as league titles, and boxing, trump religion. Ironically, Linfield F.C. play my family’s team, Glentoran FC, in a Derby each year on BOXING DAY. I can vividly remember the home supporters’ reaction to a player who had left “The Glens” for “The Blues”.
It was the British Police who kept the fans apart, along with razor wire, which shook when the ball hit the back of the net.
Like Australians, the Irish are attracted to a rogue. Ned Kelly, although a murderer and thief, holds curious admiration, like a few bushrangers and convicts, often of Celtic heritage. In Northern Ireland and the Republic, it’s James Joyce, Luke Kelly, Georgie Best, Joey Dunlop, Sinead O’Connor, Dolores O’Riordan, Conor McGregor, the Titanic, and pints - after all, Belfast City Airport is named after Best, a man who underwent a liver transplant, but kept on drinking.
But Carl Frampton is different. Where others prey on conflict for notoriety, he aims to unite. Frampton follows in the footsteps of his former manager, Irish boxing hero, Barry “The Clones Cyclone” McGuigan, who brought people together, wearing “The Dove of Peace” on his trunks. Frampton will also bring them together, in the name of sport, at Windsor Park.
Frampton, like McGregor, will wear a bespoke suit to appearances, made by a local fabric fashioner in Upper Arthur Street - not just because he can now afford it, but because it demonstrates a level of pride, respect, and acknowledgement of where he has come from.
Martin Flanagan beautifully wrote of Jim Stynes “re-creating an old Irish clan” at the Melbourne Football Club. August 18, 2018 will be no different, and our man Jackson faces a huge challenge, combatting a short, yet fast and powerful opponent, at a historic venue.
But as sport often demonstrates, its influence is far greater than any single event. For Luke, to even be in the position to take this fight makes him a winner and, like Carl Frampton, a role model for his community.
via - The Mercury - Tuesday, 26 June, 2018 - www.themercury.com.au
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 awakening to “The Troubles”. A twelfth victim later died because of injuries, after lying in a coma for 13 years.
My brother and I had recently stepped out of wonderful and sheltered public schools in Launceston, onto a plane, only to be stopped by British Police on the Shankill Road to check for contraband, as we met our family for the first time, and went for a drive. It was quite the culture shock.
Windsor Park added to our learning, as we entered a terraced fortress, where you daren’t put your hands on the u-shaped metal supports, as they were of Arctic comparison.
We were excited to watch an international match, and a Manchester United player called Norman Whiteside, who had come to our attention in the 1985 F.A. Cup Final, when he scored a cracking left foot curler in extra-time. The lacklustre game against “The Crescent-Stars” finished 1-0, and I can’t remember how we got back to where we were staying, as my consciousness had been frozen by the cold.
My late father was, and I remain, a devout Manchester United fan. But really, he was a George Best fan. Georgie was a handsome, charming, alcoholic womaniser, born in East Belfast, who remains one of the greatest footballers of all time. Dad often described a match in 1970 at Windsor Park against Scotland, when Best, thwarted by an English referee who failed to protect, lifted a lump of turf and hurled it at the official. The result – a Red Card and more headlines. He only played 37 times for Northern Ireland, and never at a World Cup.
Windsor Park is also home of Linfield F.C., founded in 1886. “The Blues” were once the traditional Protestant team, like Glasgow Rangers F.C., a fact that matters naught these days as league titles, and boxing, trump religion. Ironically, Linfield F.C. play my family’s team, Glentoran FC, in a Derby each year on BOXING DAY. I can vividly remember the home supporters’ reaction to a player who had left “The Glens” for “The Blues”.
It was the British Police who kept the fans apart, along with razor wire, which shook when the ball hit the back of the net.
Like Australians, the Irish are attracted to a rogue. Ned Kelly, although a murderer and thief, holds curious admiration, like a few bushrangers and convicts, often of Celtic heritage. In Northern Ireland and the Republic, it’s James Joyce, Luke Kelly, Georgie Best, Joey Dunlop, Sinead O’Connor, Dolores O’Riordan, Conor McGregor, the Titanic, and pints - after all, Belfast City Airport is named after Best, a man who underwent a liver transplant, but kept on drinking.
But Carl Frampton is different. Where others prey on conflict for notoriety, he aims to unite. Frampton follows in the footsteps of his former manager, Irish boxing hero, Barry “The Clones Cyclone” McGuigan, who brought people together, wearing “The Dove of Peace” on his trunks. Frampton will also bring them together, in the name of sport, at Windsor Park.
Frampton, like McGregor, will wear a bespoke suit to appearances, made by a local fabric fashioner in Upper Arthur Street - not just because he can now afford it, but because it demonstrates a level of pride, respect, and acknowledgement of where he has come from.
Martin Flanagan beautifully wrote of Jim Stynes “re-creating an old Irish clan” at the Melbourne Football Club. August 18, 2018 will be no different, and our man Jackson faces a huge challenge, combatting a short, yet fast and powerful opponent, at a historic venue.
But as sport often demonstrates, its influence is far greater than any single event. For Luke, to even be in the position to take this fight makes him a winner and, like Carl Frampton, a role model for his community.
via - The Mercury - Tuesday, 26 June, 2018 - www.themercury.com.au
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