There's nothing easy about managing a professional boxer, if you intend to do it the right way. The feel-good story of the year in this business involves a manager who took a chance on a fighter the sport had cast aside, and how he helped that "nobody" overcome odds and obstacles to become a "somebody" at long last.

The awards shows have started and the sprouts are on the boil, so the year-end must be almost upon us. Often a time of sadness and quiet reflection, it struck me as an appropriate time to bid farewell to a trio of illustrious fighters we're unlikely to see fighting, meaningfully at least, ever again.