Open late to watch Khan
After a busy weekend of Premiership football action and an entertaining, intriguing final qualifying round of European rugby in the Heineken Cup, all courtesy of Sky, this week's biggest sporting attractions come to you via the terrestrial big boys. Both ITV and the BBC will be showing top-class sporting events that are guaranteed to pull in the punters.
ITV has lured Frank Warren and his battalion of boxers from Sky, and the first televised bouts under the deal will be showing this weekend. Be sure to tune in to the Big Fight Live (ITV1, Saturday, 10.45pm) to see the standard-bearer of British boxing, Amir Khan, take on the first overseas opponent of his professional career. Khan, who rose to fame at the Athens Olympics in the summer of 2004 where he earned himself a silver medal, will be facing Vitali Martynov of Belarussia in the Bolton boxer's first six-round fight as a pro.
The fight promises to be Khan's sternest test since his triumphant re-match with Mario Kindelan, the Cuban veteran who ensured Khan had just a silver medal and not the gold to show for his efforts in Greece 18 months ago.
The popular British boxer is drawing people, particularly the younger audience, to his chosen sport in much the same way that "Prince" Naseem Hamed did in the mid-1990s. Comparisons between the two are inevitable. In the ring, Khan carries himself with a self-assurance similar to Hamed and in a way that belies his young age. Thankfully though, Khan's confidence is unsullied by the arrogant swagger that was part and parcel of Hamed's character and approach to life.
Be sure to remind your cust-omers that they can stay on later to watch the fight in the friendly atmosphere of their favourite pub or bar. The timing of the fight will be an ideal opportunity to put those hard-won extended hours of yours to good use.
The Premiership title race takes a break as this weekend sees the resumption of the FA Cup, with the competition reaching round four. There are a total of 16 games this round, taking place over Saturday and Sunday, and the BBC has come up trumps with three big matches to be shown live.
First up is the visit of Newcastle United to lowly Cheltenham, (BBC1, Saturday, 12.30pm) followed by the 5.40pm kick-off of Bolton versus Arsenal.
On Sunday, Wolves entertain Manchester United. The tie kicks off at 4.00pm on Sky (SS1, from 3.30pm), and then at 6.00pm, BBC1 will show the
all-Premiership tie between Portsmouth and Liverpool.
After the weekend, the Premiership resumes. Fulham play Tottenham on Tuesday (PPlus, 7.30pm, kick-off 8.00pm).
It's a busy time for Arsenal as they are in action again on Wednesday, when they play West ham at Highbury (SS2, 7.00pm, kick-off 8pm).
Buckle up, it's certain to be another terrific sporting week. Now, it's over to you to make the most of it.
