Get ready to start humming the Italian Job theme tune.
Jordan Barker Porter this evening kicks off a big period for North-East boxing and, as the introduction gives it away, will be doing it in Italy.
The 30-year-old is in Bologna where she is challenging for the vacant European Silver lightweight title against Pamela Noutchco Sawa.
It is a big ask for the boxer, who now fights out of the Twins Academy in Trimdon.
Sawa, originally from Cameroon, has home advantage and has some good form under her belt, having won all six of her professional bouts.
Last time out, the 31-year-old became Italian lightweight champion when she defeated Nadia Flalhi by a unanimous decision, winning by six rounds (twice) and four rounds.
But Barker Porter can boast some good moments of her own in her last two appearances.
She came through a tough examination last May from Vaida Masiokaite in Rotherham, a bout which was shown live on the BBC before enjoying a shut-out decision against Bojan Libiszewska in Liverpool in September.
JPB has tasted defeated a couple of times too so has been through adversity as well as triumph and her experience might well prove key at the PalaDozza Arena, where all the pressure is on the shoulders of Sawa.
Click here for details how to watch the big fight
In a recent interview with punch-lines, her new trainer Jordan Williams spoke of his delight to be coaching the former Lambton Street ABC crowd favourite.
He said: “It’s a good fight – if she does the things she needs to do, I can us coming home with the title.
“Jordan just needs to be a bit more ruthless.
“Boxing-wise, she is pleasing on the eye and capable of some great stuff, but at times she’s not spiteful enough.”
That spite will be required in Bologna and victory would make it third time lucky for the Twins Academy after defeats for two of the gym’s stars.
Adam Hepple lost out in a bloody battle of the Area champions last month in Oldham, where he was stopped by Reece Farnhill in their English super-middleweight title eliminator and Kai Richmond lost out to Nathan Forrest in their Northern Area lightweight derby at Rainton Arena.
But Twins boxers come to fight, so don’t rule out JBP in Bologna. Get the Italian Job theme tune ready.
Next month there are two big shows coming up, both at Rainton Arena.
Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hodgson will challenge for the Northern Area light-welterweight belt on Saturday, May 4, when he faces holder Jordan Ellison.
It headlines VIP’s second visit to Houghton, where three of Tenacity’s leading lights, Travis Waters, Adam Reichard and Beau Smith are in action.
The event also features the professional debut of former GB Boxing star Hannah Robinson.
Fast forward a week and Jobes Boxing are at Rainton Arena for their second promotion of 2024, when unbeaten prospects Sam Menzies and Bobby Dalton are among a stacked card on May 11.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
