Some world champions spend an entire career defending a title without ever leaving the comfort of their own country; 'The Phantom' is a prime example. Sven Ottke, a native of Berlin, notched 21 defenses on his IBF super middleweight belt never venturing out of die schutzende Deutschen bubble (ze protective German bubble). No worries Sven, it's not unreasonable for the champ to seek hometown advantage, your local supporters must have appreciated it.

On the flipside you have the global warrior; a champion, prepared if need be, to travel the Earth and into a challenger's backyard. This is to be admired and speaks loudly of a man and the champion he is. A bloke with a pair big enough to fly across the world and stride without fear into the lion's den. Gotta' respect that.

A fine example of this 'have pair will travel' attitude is Florida's Ronald Winky Wright (gonadus giganticus). Winky became the WBO light middleweight champion after defeating Bronco McKart by SD in Michigan back in May '96. Following this he packed his gloves and newly acquired belt then flew over the pond to defend his title in the UK. This was to be the first of three successive defenses held in England over the next year. Manchester's Ensley Bingham, Salford's Steve Foster and Islington's Adrian Dodson all put up a brave fight but were conquered in style by the champ with the visitor's stamp.

The British media and local die-hards were quick to embrace the well travelled 'septic' because they recognised true skill and a fighter's heart. Wink's very next defense landed him in South Africa where he eventually lost his belt to Namibia's Harry Simon by MD.

It appears to be a thing of the past and seems rare in these times for a world champion to rack up the frequent flyer points. But one who is prepared to suffer an occasional inflight meal has to be respected.

Can you recall any others past or present?

Can you recall the one particular fight that reached through the TV screen and left-hooked you smack into the unparalleld world of boxing? Or the fight you attended that hit you square in the gutbucket like no other sport had before?

I was 13 when I experienced the call, remember it like it was yesterday. March 1980, my dad and I sitting in front of the TV, Alan Minter's challenge for Vito Antuofermo's WBC and WBA middleweight titles. As Minter began his ring walk my stomach filled with butterflies like never before and I suddenly 'became him', I was hooked from that moment on. Marvin Hagler viciously punched my new found love of the noble art into orbit when he destroyed Minter later that year. As a fighter, he raised the bar beyond belief.