By Frank Warren

Argentine scavenger Marcos Maidana took the 'hungry fighter' tag a tad too literally last weekend when he seemingly munched the left glove of Floyd Mayweather in round eight of their BoxNation televised rematch from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Ironically, Mike Tyson was a famished looking ringside observer.

Without in anyway condoning 'Chino's' barbaric action, his frustration was understandable. May weather was on a completely different plane and led him a merry dance. No signs of recess from where I was sitting.

There is a drive – not least from bankers Showtime TV who are anxious to redress flagging PPV figures – to set the 37 year old pound-for-pound leader a stiffer challenge by pitching him against the far fleeter fists of either Manny Pacquiao or Amir Khan. Despite a perfect 47 fight slate, there are those who are adamant that Mayweather struggles with speed.

It's not a view to which I subscribe. Sure, the 'Money' man's feet might not be as rapid as once they were but his razor sharp ring brain more than compensates.

Last weekend he was ice cool, clinical and tactically brilliant; as he has been for the better part of two decades now. The only stumbling blocks to him acquiring the additional three wins required to surpass Rocky Marciano's iconic 49-0 ring slate appear to be retirement or complacency.

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Nine of London's premier young talents get a gilt edged opportunity to showcase their wares at the York Hall, Bethnal Green tomorrow. BoxNation (Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Talk Talk 525) deliver extensive live coverage.

My track record over the years for developing young talents from scratch into major champions isn't that bad.

There is a fine art to allowing a young starlet to build a following through exciting ring performances and charismatic personalities, whilst exposing the youngster to a wide range of styles and tactical challenges.

Ideally, I'll observe how they fare against a runner, a scrapper, a spoiler, a southpaw and, the acid test, a banger. The evidence accrued allows a manager to plot their title route accordingly.

In tandem with my matchmaker Jason McClory, I seek to gradually advance the prospect through four, six and eight round matches prior to testing them in 10 round Area and English title fights. Thereafter they are ready to be unleashed into 12 round championship action which can see them earn life changing coin. 'Fifteen to learn, 15 to earn,' as we say in the trade.

All those featuring tomorrow have the potential to compete at title level though, inevitably, some will falter along the way.

The card is co-headed by Frank Buglioni and Bradley Skeete.

The former is a big-hooking super-middleweight whose commercial potential has no limits if he delivers between the ropes.

A former university undergraduate and part time model, 'The Wise Guy' has the lines and looks to evolve into a cross over star. He is already, by some distance, the biggest ticket seller on the capital's small hall scene.

In April, tactical naivety brought an unscripted stoppage loss to a teak tough Belarusian and it's possible the Bug's out of ring schedule was compromising his performances inside the square.

Initial coach Mark Tibbs did a marvellous job instilling solid technical foundations but recently Frank recruited the services of Irish brothers 'Packie' and Steve Collins – the latter a former two weight world champion and Irish ring legend – hopefully to propel the Southern Area king to the next level.

Boldly Frank has relocated to the isolation of Dublin where he is able to train more privately. Expect him to unleash his pent up fury on Russia's Alex Ribchev in a scheduled ten rounder.

By contrast, 'Super' Skeete is one for the connoisseurs.  A late bloomer physically, the 6ft 1in welter's exquisite skills have enabled him to quietly amble to 17-0 and a top 15 rating with the WBA.

He defends his Inter-Continental title against a decent Brazilian and can afford no slip ups with a mandatory challenge to British champion Frankie Gavin pending.

Tune in and hopefully you'll be witnessing several champions of the future.

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Last Monday I was delighted to announce that arch rivals Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jnr will finally meet inside the ring to settle their score.

The pair go to war in the chief support to the WBO heavyweight eliminator between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora on my 'Bad Blood' promotion at the ExCeL London on Saturday 29th November.

And if the clash for Saunders' European middleweight strap proves anywhere near as spicy as their recent Twitter exchanges, fight fans can expect a real belter.

I'll be applying for the fight to receive world eliminator status with the WBO. With the mouth-watering British super-feather scrap between Gary Sykes and Liam Walsh also signed for the card, it is easily the best show of the new season to date. Tickets start from £40 and BoxNation televise live.

Southpaw Saunders is a proven force and will probably enter a strong favourite. A 2008 Beijing Olympian in his teens, the 25 year old traveller from Hatfield is unbeaten in 20 as a pro. En route he's bagged British, Commonwealth, InterContinental and European titles and scalped top grade men such as Jarrod Fletcher, Nick Blackwell, Spike O'Sullivan, John Ryder and Emanuele Blandamura. The last three named were all undefeated before Saunders set about them.

But it's Eubank Jnr who provides the intrigue here. Undoubtedly gifted, the Brighton braggart appears to have inherited his father's formidable natural strength and punch power. He is presently riding a streak of nine successive stoppage victories, including several spectacular one shot knockouts. Several respected voices tip him to spring an upset.

In contrast to Billy Joe, 24 year old Junior had nominal amateur experience and has had everything his own way whilst building a 17-0 slate. However, to compensate, dad Chris Senior – a former two weight world champion – has pulled in favours to deliver sparring tutorials against elite fighters on both sides of the Atlantic; and the reviews have been extremely favourable.

We'll find out exactly what he's got after the 12 rounds or less he shares with Saunders in late November. It promises to be unmissable.

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Professional boxing is far too hard an occupation to begrudge any fighter whatever good fortune comes their way. Nevertheless, Hammersmith super-middle George Groves can consider himself an extremely lucky boy to be contesting a WBC final eliminator tomorrow night; straight after two conclusive stoppage losses to Carl Froch.

Just four months after being flattened by 'The Cobra' at Wembley Stadium and without a win in 16 months, St George tackles reigning European champion Christophe Rebrasse of France at Wembley Arena. The victor is guaranteed a crack at the WBC title, currently owned by the far from invincible American Andre Dirrell.

West Londoner Groves was largely unproven going into the spats with Froch and, despite performing credibly, those matches re-iterated suspicions – which surfaced when Travis Dickenson blitzed him in the amateurs – that George's chin was not cast from the same mould as Jake LaMotta's.

Despite acquiring the continental strap with a four round stoppage in Italy, Monsieur Rebrasse, known as 'L'iceberg', lists just six quick wins on his 27 fight ledger (two losses, three draws) and big hitter George should have far too much firepower.

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Spare a thought and a prayer for Sheffield welter Jerome Wilson who, at time of writing, is fighting for his life in a medically induced coma, following surgery for a bleed on the brain last weekend.

The 29 year old was knocked out in the sixth and final round of a rematch with 2012 Cameroon Olympian Serge Ambomo at Ice Sheffield.

After being placed in the recovery position by trainer Glyn Rhodes, Wilson received oxygen from paramedics before leaving the ring on a stretcher. After surgery his condition was reported as 'critical but stable'.

Most such injuries occur because, whilst attempting to drop weight for a championship match, fighters inadvertently rid themselves of the cerebral fluid which cushions the brain from blows.

The use of saunas strictly contravenes Board of Control regulations but is sometimes foolishly ignored, despite the strong guidelines given to the BBBofC from neurosurgeons.

However, this was a non-title contest, where weight-making is more flexible. It appears Jerome was just extremely unlucky.

Known as 'Wipeout', Wilson won eight of 11 pro fights since debuting in February 2010. He really came to the fore in November of that year by executing a spectacular televised knockout of normally teak tough Cardiff traveller Henry Janes.

Self employed and with a family of four to raise, his ring career is now history but the boxing community, as always, has rallied in support.

Recently retired former British light-welter king and one time England under 21 footballer Curtis Woodhouse has offered to lace the gloves one final time for a six round 'grudge' exhibition with local rival Tommy Coyle, the IBF Inter-Continental lightweight king. It's a great gesture from both men.

The event takes place next Sunday (28th September) at the Guild Hall, Hull. Entrance on the door will be £10 with all proceeds going to the stricken fighter's family.

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Sadly this week, Mary Powell, former long-time secretary of the London Ex-Boxers' Association and Mayor of Islington passed away - six days after her 90th birthday – having been in poor health for some time.

She came from an Italian family named Napolitano.  Working as a waitress in a Lyons corner shop, she once served Hollywood star Cary Grant during an air-raid. She married her late husband, Jack, in 1947. Jack was a useful pro and one of his special friends was former great champion Len Harvey, who would become godfather to Jack and Mary's third son, Desmond.

Mary was very good friends with my family in Islington and provided tremendous support when I started out as a BBBofC licensed promoter.  This was during the period of 'The Cartel' when they had a stranglehold on venues in London and it was only through Mary's help that I managed to book venues for my promotions.

In 1971 a few ex-fighters came to Jack and Mary's shop, with the idea of forming a London Ex-Boxers' Association. Jack agreed to go to their initial meeting. "The last thing I said to him before he left was 'Don't get involved!' Mary recalled.

"When he came back, he told me 'They've made me secretary!' I said: 'But you can't type!' And he said: 'No, I thought you could do that part!'" Many wives wouldn't have stood for that, but Mary took it on, and was a vital part of LEBA from its inception until ill-health forced her to step down.

Many ex-boxers owe everything to Mary who helped out ones who had hit on hard times and was there to provide emotional support or just someone to talk to - she was always there for them.

At 60, Mary stood for election to the Islington local Council, and duly got in – and in 2000 she was elected Mayor. During her year of office she carried out over 500 functions, and raised over £30,000 for her nominated charity, the Stroke Association.

Mary was a truly remarkable and well respected lady, a  wife to Jack and mother to Stephen, John and Desmond, she will be very sadly missed.