HAS this town ever experienced a sporting weekend like this?

And it is only right that we are crowing about it.

Our two Premier League darters Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting kick it off at a packed Echo Arena tonight, but then fittingly, given Russell Crowe is in town, the eyes of the world will focus on 18 of our gladiators.

Although hosting South Sydney in Sunday’s World Club Challenge at Langtree Park is amazing for the town, given boxing’s international profile Martin Murray’s fight against Gennady Golovkin in Monte Carlo is arguably more significant globally.

When Martin Murray enters the arena at Salle des Etoiles and strides purposely towards the ring – millions watching will see the Saints logo emblazoned across his proudly beating chest.

Although the bookmakers and pundits do not give Murray a prayer of winning, people in St Helens have heard all that before…last October.

Murray has experience of that himself, and was written off so badly in April 2013 that some thought it wasn’t worth his while turning up – but ended up putting the then world champion Sergio Martinez on his backside before controversially losing on points.

It is easy to chop up and compile the highlights package of Golovkin’s biggest hits and then draw the conclusion that the bookies and the pundits are right.

Golovkin is an amazing fighter and has made short shrift of all 31 of his previous opponents – no wonder he has scared off plenty of other potential challengers – but Murray is made of sterner stuff.

It is really pleasing to see people of this town having such faith that Murray can overcome the odds – not giving up no matter what the odds is a commendable spirit.

It is not blind optimism. Murray has spent the past six weeks away from his family, training in South Africa, looking for that extra bit of something that will give him the edge in this most brutal of arenas.

It would be fantastic if that sacrifice pays off for Murray on Saturday – not just for the town, his team and family but especially for himself.

What Murray has done in turning his life around after going off the rails as a young man is a lesson for us all.Everyone deserves a second chance – and some are more determined than others to make sure they make the most of that opportunity.

So for me Martin Murray is an ideal ambassador for our town – and it would be wonderful if the next time we see him walking through St Helens he is sporting three belts!