Second City's Finest: An Evening with Matthew Macklin

A new series of events launched by the team at Digbeth Dining Club, "Second City’s Finest”, will celebrate some of the biggest names to come out of the city, names who have helped put Birmingham on the map.

Styled as “An Evening With…”, the events will be set in the casual and fun environment of Hockley Social Club.

The fifth instalment of the series will feature former British, European and WBC International middleweight titleholder Matthew Macklin, the retired boxer who now works for Sky Sports and still lives with his family in Solihull.

Schooled in his formative years by the popular Irish Brummie brothers, Paddy and Tommy Lynch, Macklin studied law at Coventry University and, fighting out of Small Heath Boxing Club, won an Amateur Boxing Association (British) title before he embarked on his professional career. In a blazing battle for the British light middleweight title with Manchester’s Jamie Moore, Macklin demonstrated the depth of his courage in one of the most electric domestic showdowns of any era. Although stopped in the 10th round of a compelling contest in which both fighters were floored, Macklin went on to win the British title at middleweight when he stopped fellow Brummie Wayne Elcock and then lifted the European belt.

In three challenges for world honours Macklin failed to fulfil his dream of being crowned champion but he underlined his incredible fighting spirit and talent. Against WBA middleweight titleholder Felix Sturm, he dropped a controversial split decision in the German’s back yard. At the world famous Madison Square Garden he controlled much of the fight in a subsequent challenge against Argentine world champion Sergio Martinez but having provided Martinez with the toughest test of his reign was pulled out by his corner at the end of 11 rounds.

When he faced Gennadiy Golovkin in his third and final world title fight, Macklin was confronting one of the most accomplished boxers of his or any other era. “The best I ever fought,” Macklin said of Golovkin who stopped him in the third round with a bone crushing body shot. Macklin, now an astute ringside analyst for Sky’s boxing coverage, has commentated on Golovkin fights and many other world title bouts and has given much of his life to the sport he loves.

An Evening with Matthew Macklin will take place at the award-winning street food venue, Hockley Social Club, where food and drinks will be available on the evening.

In order to keep these events accessible to anyone and everyone, tickets will cost just £10, with under 18’s allowed in for free when accompanied by an adult ticket-holder.

The show will start at 8pm and wrap up by 10pm. Doors will open at 5pm for anyone looking to enjoy the food and drink prior to the main event.

The night will be informal with no dress code or table bookings required.