by Frank Warren

The tragic death of Michael Norgrove last Saturday provided a stark reminder to all in the boxing community of the inherent dangers that exist in our sport and the risks that all boxers undertake whilst providing entertainment for others.

It was the first British fatality to occur in a professional ring since 1995 when Lanarkshire bantamweight James Murray tragically lost his life during a British title challenge.

Subsequent safeguards were introduced and great strides have been made since fighters such as Michael Watson and Gerald McClellan incurred injuries that dramatically changed their lives for the worse in the 1990s.

Such a tragedy must never be trivialised but Norgrove's passing was almost inexplicable.

Our Board of Control is generally accepted as the standard bearer for medical provision across the globe yet the Zambian born light-middleweight had passed all their stringent scans and examinations.

As his six round contest at the historic Ring venue in Blackfriars was a non-title affair, the 31 year old wasn't required to dehydrate to make weight and he'd endured nominal punishment in a contest he was comfortably winning.

However, in round five vigilant referee Jeff Hinds identified that the 'Zambezi Hitman' had begun to move erratically. Hinds immediately halted the contest and summoned the paramedics at ringside – a mandatory requirement at every pro boxing event.

An ambulance on standby whisked Michael to the Royal London Hospital and neuro-surgeons were able to operate on the blood clot on Norgrove's brain well inside 'The Golden Hour'. Sadly they were unable to revive him and he surrendered his life nine days later.

Predictable accusations of brutality and barbarism came from the abolitionists. However, the Noble Art saves considerably more lives than it sacrifices; providing discipline and structure to the potentially wayward, instilling confidence and self-esteem.

Statistically, there are notably more fatalities in other less urbane pastimes such as mountaineering, motor sports, skiing, equestrian, even cycling and marathon running. No one calls for those to be banned.

Contrary to the abolitionists view the object of boxing is not simply to render an opponent senseless. In addition to the obvious physical element, it is also an ultimate test of skill and nous in which athletes of extreme fitness try to outwit each other and score points. That is why we have referees and judges.

Michael Norgrove arrived to his chosen vocation relatively late, aged 28, after stints on the amateur and white collar circuits. He was sufficiently skilled to work as a sparhand to Olympic champion James DeGale and bowed out, undefeated in six fights, a proud warrior. Boxing was something he freely entered into, acutely aware of its perilous nature.

Rest peacefully, Michael. The boxing fraternity send their sincere condolences to your family and many friends. You paid the ultimate sacrifice, participating in the ultimate sport.

If it wasn't for bad luck, Cromer lightweight Liam Walsh would have no luck at all.

Despite winning just three of his first ten amateur bouts, the Norfolk southpaw persisted with the sport and developed sufficiently to capture the Commonwealth super-feather crown in just his tenth paid gig.

In September 2011, on BoxNation's debut promotion at the York Hall, the kid they call 'Destiny' retained that title in the Domestic Fight of the Year when he rose from the canvas in round eight – completely out on his feet – and somehow forced Edinburgh challenger Paul Appleby to concede on his stool after ten brutal rounds.

Alas, injuries and the bereavement of his father have restricted the gifted and wildly exciting crowd pleaser to just one outing since. A damaged back, incurred in a car crash last November forced his withdrawal – on medical advice – from a world title crack at WBO king Ricky Burns scheduled for December.

Easily the most talented of three prizefighting brothers, Liam remains unbeaten in 13 fights. Still only 26, he could yet fulfil his dream of winning a world title.

Already world rated by the WBO, he can expect to further climb those rankings if he can repel the comeback of Scotland's former two-time world featherweight champion Scott Harrison in a riveting match-up on my Wembley Arena promotion next weekend.

Schooled in Norwich by Graham Everett – the vastly underrated coach who previously moulded Herbie Hide, Jon Thaxton and Sam Sexton into major champions – young Walsh has an appealing, high energy, instinctive style. His 600 strong 'Farmy Army' following which trails him across the nation is arguably the largest, loudest and most loyal in the country.

A convincing win over Harrison – certainly no 'gimme' – would significantly bolster his profile and edge him closer to the Holy Grail.

Subscription channel BoxNation continues to deliver the very best ring action from across the globe.

Last month it delivered back-to-back Fight of the Year candidates between Tim Bradley and Ruslan Provodnikov, then Mike Alvarado's upset of Brandon Rios. Both were absolute wars that ordinarily would not see the light of day in the UK.

Tonight, the network brings easily the best match up of this calendar year so far when elite super-bantam champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nonito Donaire collide to unify their world title belts at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

It promises to be a classical boxer versus fighter showdown between Cuban box-of-tricks Rigondeaux, a double Olympic Games gold medallist and 'The Filipino Flash', a seriously explosive puncher who has developed a habit of knocking opponents out for minutes rather than the required ten seconds!

Both are unbeaten for well over 10 years and the continued airing of the sport's premier talents in competitive match-ups has significantly raised the standard and expectation of boxing that is presently broadcast in the UK.